MOVING FORWARD WITH THE DEPT OF ENERGY PROPOSAL ON

UNCLAS BAKU 000214 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, EUR/IO/EX AND OBO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV ENRG ABLD AMGT AJ SUBJECT: MOVING FORWARD WITH THE DEPT OF ENERGY PROPOSAL ON WORKSHOP ON EARTHQUAKE-RESISTANT, ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDINGS REF: A. BAKU 00049 ¶B. 06 STATE 178269 ¶1. This is an action request; see para 5. ¶2. Jabrail Khanlarov, Chief of the State Construction Control Agency at the Ministry of Emergency Situations, met with emboffs on January 30 to discuss plans for the US Department of Energy,s proposed workshop on earthquake-resistant, energy-efficient buildings. Khanlarov welcomed a copy of the California Building Code which we provided. Khanlarov stated that the MES would use the California Building Codes in conjunction with the building codes of other countries that share similar seismological characteristics, in order to help generate Azerbaijan,s new building code and related legislation. ¶3. In moving forward with the workshop details, Khanlarov suggested using the Customs Committee training center as the venue for hosting the event and emphasized that it would be large enough to accommodate the workshop. Khanlarov stated he would follow up in securing the venue once the exact dates of the workshop have been confirmed. Khanlarov said that DOE's proposed June 2007 timeframe seemed good. Khanlarov also expounded on the Azerbaijani audience for the workshop stating that in country expert Elchin Khalilov, along with the Institute of Geology, the Dadashov Institute within the MES as well as Azerbaijani building construction companies would be included. Khanlarov requested that in addition to the USG providing its key representatives, he requested that print materials to include catalogs and reference books be provided with the lectures so that the attendees can walk away from the workshop with more than just notes and contacts. Khanlarov specifically stated that the ministry lacked much-needed knowledge regarding elevator shafts, how they operated, what was the standard construction as well as tower cranes and believed that it would be beneficial if these items could be addressed in the workshop. ¶4. Khanlarov also provided an update on the Ministry's efforts to better regulate Baku's building boom, stating that only 50 construction projects had been halted for not complying with the new inspection practices. Following clear guidance provided by the MES, most projects were allowed to proceed and only a few remaining projects were still working on their documentation. With respect to safety improvements, he highlighted a new requirement administered by the MES stating that every company which imports fire-extinguishers must have a license to do so. Moreover, a new commission within MES was in place which was responsible for inspecting all Government and multi-story buildings, to include buildings used by the public, to ensure they are up to the necessary safety standards. ¶5. ACTION REQUEST: We would appreciate if the Department of Energy could provide exact dates for the seminar so that we can push forward with the details of bringing the workshop to fruition. We also request that the DOE provide information on the consultant who will organize this conference. Embassy points-of-contact for the workshop are General Services Officer Terry Alston, email AlstonTA@state.gov, telephone 994-12-498-0335, ext 4645 and PolEcon Officer Alison Goldstein, email Goldsteinaj@state.gov, telephone 994-12-498-0335, ext 4982. DERSE