Interfax
July 23 2004

American ambassador upbeat on Armenian-U.S. cooperation

Yerevan. (Interfax) – U.S. ambassador to Armenia John Ordway has
expressed optimism over the future of his country’s cooperation with
Armenia.

The quick pace at which relations are developing is the result of the
situation in Armenia and the region as a whole, as well as
international processes, Ordway told a news conference in Yerevan on
Thursday.

The United States plans to continue working with the Armenian
authorities to help them carry out democratic reforms and strengthen
the country’s economy, he said.

The construction in Armenia of the largest U.S. embassy in the world
has proved that Washington views its relations with Yerevan as stable
and long-term, Ordway said.

The U.S. will continue its assistance to the Armenian armed forces,
the ambassador said, adding that Armenia is on the road towards
participation in the peacekeeping operation in Iraq.

Commenting on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Ordway said the time has
come for the conflict to be resolved. Resuming hostilities would have
a devastating impact on Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the entire
region, he said. The ambassador expressed hopes that the conflict
will be settled within the next few years.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress