§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What reports they have received of the sabotage by explosives of the gas pipeline from Russia to 45WA Armenia at an Azeri village in Georgia; whether they will offer engineering assistance to Georgia to expedite repairs in view of the fact that Armenia now has no energy supplies; and whether they will also offer engineering advice and help to Armenia on the maintenance and possible reactivation of the nuclear generating plant north of Yerevan.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe explosion which severed the pipeline on 23rd January has been reported widely. We understand that temporary repairs have now been completed and that supplies have been restored. The International Atomic Energy Agency is familiar with the Medzamor nuclear plant, which it visited in July 1992, and has offered to help Armenia with maintenance.
§ Baroness Park of Monmouthasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in view of the protracted energy crisis in Armenia (a) any pressure is to be brought to bear on Turkey to re-examine the possibility of supplying Armenia with power, at least until the present difficulties over supplies of gas and fuel from Russia and Turkmenistan can be resolved, and (b) they will on humanitarian grounds give sympathetic consideration to any representations which following the Bush-Yeltsin talks, Armenia may make to the Security Council on the issue of the fuel crisis, especially where this can be attributed to a blockade.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe European Community made a representation to the Turkish Government on 29th January, asking Turkey to allow the transit of fuel supplies to Armenia from third countries and to fulfil earlier commitments to provide electricity to Armenia. Also on 29th January the President of the UN Security Council issued a statement expressing concern at the situation in Armenia and urging all countries in a position to help to facilitate the provision of fuel and humanitarian assistance to Armenia.