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NKR: 2005 Expected To Be A Break Through

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  • NKR: 2005 Expected To Be A Break Through

    2005 EXPECTED TO BE A BREAK THROUGH

    Azat Artsakh - Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
    12 April 05

    The break through mentioned in the title is expected in the social and
    economic sphere, building and reconstruction works, in education and
    culture, as well as other spheres of life. The Armenians living in all
    parts of the world realize the necessity of fundamental reconstruction
    of the Armenian fortress Shushi and the adjacent villages freed from
    captivity lasting for over 70 years. Trying to find out what plans
    were brought into being in the year 2004 we talked to the head of the
    regional administration of Shushi Vladimir Kassian. Nikolay
    Baghdassarian: `Mr. Kassian, at our last meeting which tookplace about
    a year ago you cited the saying from the past century `The one who
    will rule Shushi will rule entire Karabakh'. However, you immediately
    added that ruling is not enough; one must nurture it by all
    means. Then you expressed anxiety about the slow rate of
    reconstruction of Shushi.' Vladimir Kassian: `You know, in any case it
    is more useful to give a realistic picture of the state of things.
    Well, would you believe me if I had told you (or tell you now) that
    everything is excellent? On the other hand, everything is not so very
    bad. Let us casta glance in retrospect. We all remember how Shushi was
    destroyed after the liberation. We also remember that due to bad
    control the people who settledin Shushi in a disorderly manner added
    to the destruction. Not a single house had remained intact in the
    village of Karin Tak, closely situated to Shushi. The same sad picture
    was in all the other places of the region. Now very few houses remain
    which need reconstruction. And this is the result of large-scale
    building, construction of new high voltage electric conduits and other
    infrastructures in the region on state budget, as well as charity
    means. Atpresent almost all the communities (except Kirsavan) are
    supplied with gas, the densely populated center of the town has been
    gasified too. In the region special attention is paid to the problem
    of housing of the families of killed azatamartiks, the disabled of
    war, the veterans of war and families having many children. Detached
    houses are built for the families of the mentioned categories, as well
    as the new settlers. In 2004 the organization `Country and Culture'
    reconstructed the surgical department of the regional hospital. The
    obstetric, surgical, therapeutic, paediatric departments, the
    policlinic and the emergency department operated normally. The medical
    staff has a new therapist and obstetrician. The dental clinic also
    operated effectively; despite work overload it satisfies the demands
    of the population. Unfortunately, the question of repairing the
    buildings of medical stations and maternity wards in villages still
    remainson the agenda.' N.B.: `You gave general information. Would
    yougive numbers characterizing the social and economic situation in
    the region in 2004?' V.K.: ` First of all, I would like to mention
    that the year was significant for thefact that all the payments were
    done in time, all the institutions, organizations received the
    additional payments from the state budget by 100 per cent. Last year
    we provided 122 per cent of income of the budget of the community.
    However, the consolidated budget was implemented by 95.3 per cent, the
    state budget - by 89.7 per cent. The reasons are both subjective and
    objective. In particular, the building companies working in the
    region, being registered in other places of the republic, accordingly
    pay taxes the community where they are registered. This is a problem,
    and already steps are taken at solving it. In 2004 190.8 million drams
    was provided from the state budget for the repair of Ghazanchetsots
    Street, central heating of the building of the regional
    administration, repair of the plumbing in Ghondaghsazian Street,
    construction of the new cultural center in the village of Lisagor,
    housing, sanitation, gasifying, etc. Means were provided for
    preparing all the schools for winter, the heating installations of the
    schools after Abovian and Muratsan were repaired enabling the normal
    operation of the central heating. The reconstruction of the former
    high-rise hotel is carried out. Roadworks on Ghazanchetsots Street
    will be completed very soon.' N. B.: `Mr. Kassian, the implementation
    of the programme of social security and resettlement in the region
    and, particularly, the considerable progress in small business in the
    town of Shushi mark progress, positive tendencies. What is the picture
    like in these spheres?' V.K.: `Before answering the question I would
    like to point out a reassuring fact: against the previous years the
    number of people who wish to have flats in Shushi rose considerably in
    2004. This is the thing we had long waited for. Some peoplesay, prices
    for realty rose in the capital, and Shushi is within reach of hand and
    therefore people face towards Shushi. Well, let it be so. However, as
    a result the regional center will be inhabited very quickly, the
    ruined buildings will be reconstructed and the town will look like a
    town. Besides, some inhabitantsof Shushi, who seemed to be passive in
    the course of privatization of houses, recently have become more
    active; some people reconstruct buildings on their own means, others
    expect the government to cover at least part of expenses. In 2004 the
    relevant department of the regional administration received 61
    applications for privatization of flats, 63 for repair of roofs of
    detached houses, 25 applications for re-settling, 4 applications for
    loans, 57 applications requesting for land. These facts are
    encouraging. On the other hand, they ascertain that day by day the
    region and especially the regional center expect more means for
    building and reconstruction. In 2005 300 million drams were provided
    from the state budget for building, more than to any other region in
    the republic. Besides, 25 million drams was provided from the state
    budget for gasification of flats and construction of two
    medium-pressure gas pipelines, 118 million drams for preservation of
    schools, 12 million drams for building three houses for the programmes
    of the department of migration, refugees and re-settlement. Against
    2005 state subsidies to budget-financed institutions grew
    significantly (according to the data on 2004, in the region there are
    47 budget-financed institutions, 9 industrial cooperative societies,
    25 limited and 5 state closed joint stock companies, 24 sole
    proprietors, etc.). The realty market is developing. In 2004 117
    persons received license for ownership, 38 persons took out a
    lease. The state registration in the communities of Hin Shen, Mets
    Shen, Karin Tak has been completed. This comes to prove that there is
    progress, and the subsidies from the state budget in the current year
    reassure that the year 2005 to be a break through.' N.B.: `And the
    last question. It refers to the main branch of economy - agriculture.'
    V.K.: `The question is clear. I should add that it refers to the
    everyday anxieties of the villagers. As well as the problems the
    solution of which is impossible without government intervention, and
    their postponement may be fatal. There is always much work to do in
    the villages. The total area of farming land is 923 hectares: 828
    hectares of grain, 62 hectares of potatoes, and 33 hectares of
    vegetable. However, year by year the crop yield declines. There are no
    means for fertilizers. By the way, in 2005 800 million drams were
    provided to the fund for development of small business. The loans
    provided on these means will be aimed at developing business in the
    villages. However, the farmer has nothing to pawn. This question must
    be solved immediately in order to direct the loans to the villagers
    mainly.'

    NIKOLAY BAGHDASSARIAN.
    12-04-2005
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