DEBUT: A small group of Armenian peace-keeping contingent will be sent to Kosovo next January, Armenpress reported October 31. It will be the first-ever peace-keeping mission of Armenian troops abroad.

The decision was reached between deputy defense minister of Greece and his Armenian counterpart. The sides also signed an agreement of military cooperation for 2004, which envisages 16 joint actions to be held in both countries and their cooperation within the frameworks of the NATO-supported Partnership for Peace program.

NEW AGENDA: The Armenian National Assembly commission for foreign relations adopted a resolution on holding a special sitting devoted to the Karabakh conflict settlement with the participation of Armenian foreign minister Vardan Oskanian, PanARMENIAN.Net reported November 1.

"After the elections in Azerbaijan, the process of the conflict settlement will be apparently activated in Armenia and Azerbaijan and in this view the discussions are a very important factor for specifying stands and assessments," the chairman of the commission said.

LAST CHANCE FOR PAROLE: On November 4 the Armenian parliament passed in the first reading an amendment to the Criminal Code that would rule out parole for any defendant in the October 27, 1999 parliament shootings. The bill was presented by opposition MP Victor Dalakyan and passed 85-0.

OLD ISSUE, NEW BOOK: "British Diplomacy and the Armenian Issue: 1830-1914" a book authored by Armenian ambassador to Washington Arman Kirakosian was issued in the US. As reported by Mediamax agency, Kirakosian noted that the book presents an analysis of formation of the British policy towards the Ottoman Empire and the national minorities residing there based on diplomatic sources and scientific literature, memoirs, periodicals of the UK and US

ARGUED NEWS: There is no agreement on holding a bilateral meeting with Azeri foreign minister Vilayat Guliyev in Berlin, Armenian foreign minister Vardan Oskanian told journalists. PanARMENIAN.Net reported November 3 that the minister thus denied the information being spread by Azeri media on the allegedly planned meeting of the foreign ministers of the two countries within the framework of "South Caucasus: Political Challenges and Development Prospects" conference, to be held in the German capital November 12-13.

TARIFFS BY REQUEST: A government-run Regulatory Commission on Natural Monopolies received an application on November 4 from the state Water Economy Committee, which requests increases in water tariffs across Armenia.

Armenpress reported that the Water Economy Committee suggests increasing the price of one cubic meter of drinking water from the current 56 Drams (10 US cents) to 120 Drams for residents of the capital city of Yerevan. In case of the Commission's approval of the proposals, the new rates will enter into force after 60 days.

HEATING SEASON: The winter heating season began earlier this week in around 167 secondary schools in high mountain areas across Armenia, Armenpress reported November 5. This year the schools located in flat areas will be heated for 80 days, those in mountain regions for 106 days, and the schools, situated on the high mountain zones will be heated for 116 days. All the schools will be heated by kerosene, except for schools in Yerevan, which will be heated by electric heaters.

AINCIENT CITY, NEW FIND: Restoration of an ancient city believed to have been built 6,000 years ago is currently under way in Yerevan's Shengavit district, Arminfo reported November 5.

So far research indicates that the city was built in the fifth millennium B.C. It was a developed urban center with a population of several thousand people and a developed copper-smelting industry. Also the remains of ancient horses were found at the excavations site, which is the first of its kind the Caucasus.

ON- LINE NEWS: In the course of a meeting with American Congress members in Washington US ambassador to Armenia John Ordway presented "American governmental assistance to Armenia" new web page, PanARMENIAN.Net reported November 6. The page located at www.usa.am provides information on the volume of US assistance to Armenia, describes programs being implemented in various economic branches and spheres of the country. "The data presented at the page is evidence of the high importance attached by the US administration to cooperation with Armenia," Ordway stated.

NEW PLANT: The Yerevan municipality has allotted 21 hectares of space for a local company Ecotechard for building a combustion plant, Armenpress reported November 6.

The overall amount of annual refuse in the capital city amounts to 450,000 tons, which is now collected from the streets and accumulated in trash dumps undergoing putrefaction and producing gases, which pollute the air and pose danger to public health. The new plant will open in two years at an initial estimated cost of $26 million. The project will be carried out by several foreign companies.

CONFIRMING COOPERATION: The secretaries of Armenia's and Russia's security councils Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Rushaylo signed a plan of cooperation in 2004, Arminfo reported November 6. The Russian official said that modern threats and challenges require more active interaction. The plan envisages exchange of visits, consultations and discussion on issues of mutual concern to the countries.