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Каспинфо август 2003 |
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Название: СООБЩЕНИЯ НПО (на англ.яз.) Главные Пункты: * Встреча общественности в поддержку трубопровода БТД прошла 24 июля в Лондоне. Заявление о поддержке трубопровода было направлено в международные финансовые организации. (04.08.2003) Полный Текст СООБЩЕНИЯ НПО (на англ.яз.) СООБЩЕНИЯ НПО (на англ.яз.) *** Vatan, Azerbaijan Society of the UK Press Release 4 August 2003 BAKU-TBILISI-CEYHAN INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT AND MONITORING COALITION Support BTC Campaign Gathers Pace Support BTC Campaign continues as the Coalition issues a Statement in Support of BTC signed by over two hundred NGOs, private organisations and local enterprises in Georgia and Azerbaijan. A public meeting in support of BTC pipeline project took place in the Jubilee Room of the House of Commons in London on 24 July 2003. Ali Kerimly, presidential candidate and the leader of Azerbaijan's Popular Front opposition party spoke at the event pledging his support for the construction of the pipeline. Rt. Hon. Bruce George MP, senior OSCE official and the Chair of UK's parliamentary select committee on defence also addressed the meeting with the audience of bankers, NGO representatives, government officials, journalists and general public. BTC Support and Monitoring Coalition was represented by Vatan Society's Chairperson and UK Coordinator Murad Gassanly. Mr Kerimly spoke about his party's long-term support for BTC, going back to the early 1990s, when Popular Front Party, then in government, began negotiations on the project with international oil companies in meetings in London. He argued that BTC is a crucial element in Azerbaijan's economic development and strongly criticised anti-BTC campaigners for their efforts to scupper international financing for the pipeline. Mr Kerimly was due to speak together with Etibar Mamedov and Isa Gambar, two other leading opposition figures from Azerbaijan but they were not able to attend due to earlier commitments. Mr Kerimly stated that there is a consensus across the political spectrum and amongst the majority of the population in Azerbaijan in support for BTC. He argued that BTC represents an optimum route for Caspian energy reserves to the Western markets, ensuring economic and a guarantee of political independence for transition countries of Southern Caucasus. Mr Bruce George MP reiterated British government's support for responsible oil development in the Caspian, arguing that the construction of the pipeline, although a challenging undertaking, is of enormous benefit for the people of the countries through which it will pass. He added that the cooperation between Georgia, Azerbaijan and the West is extremely important and encouraging. This message was echoed by Mr Murad Gassanly who argued that BTC pipeline project is a single, most important development in the region since the collapse of Soviet power and will provide guarantees of security and independence for the free nations of the Caucasus - Azerbaijan and Georgia. Presentations by speakers were followed by a discussion with representatives of UK's Foreign Office, Department for International Development, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and other international finance institutions, members of public, NGOs and the media. Meanwhile the Statement in Support of BTC is being distributed to international financial institutions and export credit agencies involved in funding the BTC project. For copies of the document in the UK contact Vatan Society or download from http://usa.azeris.org/. info from m.gassanly-alumni@lse.ac.uk |