Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: info@aaainc.org
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PRESS RELEASE
April 10, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: ckojoian@aaainc.org
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA JOHN EVANS HAILS MCC SIGNING DURING
ASSEMBLY’S PAN-ARMENIAN CONFERENCE
Washington, DC – U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans hailed the
signing of a five-year $235 million Compact between Armenia and the
Millennium Challenge Corporation during the Armenian Assembly’s
National Banquet on March 27 in Washington, DC.
The Ambassador cautioned however that a country that is found eligible
for MCC funding must continue to remain eligible. Evans noted that
one of the criteria is meeting the MCC standard for ruling justly. In
his prepared remarks, the Ambassador urged Conference participants to
join in helping “Armenia achieve democratic elections in 2007 and
2008.”
The National Banquet was part of a major three-day pan-Armenian
Conference hosted by the Assembly, together with the Armenian General
Benevolent Union (AGBU) and the Eastern and Western Dioceses of the
Armenian Church.
Below is the full text of Ambassador Evans’ prepared speech:
This evening I want to explain what the United States is doing in the
Republic of Armenia with regard to the development of genuine
democracy and democratic elections. Under the FREEDOM Support Act,
the U.S. Government has contributed approximately $1.5 billion in
support of democratic and economic transition in Armenia.
Let me begin by reminding you that the United States is pursuing three
overarching goals in the South Caucasus. First, we hope to strengthen
security and stability in the entire region. This includes, most
notably, our efforts to help Armenia and Azerbaijan resolve the
Karabakh dispute, but it also includes assistance to the countries in
strengthening their border regimes so as to prevent the unauthorized
transit of dangerous materials. Second, we are attempting to
strengthen the economies of the countries in the area, all of which
are suffering from under- or maldevelopment. Third, we are attempting
to strengthen the political systems of the three countries by
encouraging the growth of genuine democratic cultures and
institutions. Now to Armenia specifically.
All the basic preconditions for Armenia to be a leading democracy in
the region are present. A mix of cultural, historical, educational
and social factors, including extensive ties with the great Western
democracies, particularly the United States and France, give Armenia
a theoretical advantage; however, some other factors — the legacy of
Soviet misrule, the unsolved Karabakh issue, and too intimate a
relationship between economic and political power — have delayed the
appearance of a vibrant democracy in Armenia. The badly flawed
constitutional referendum in late November was a stark reminder that
important work still has to be done if Armenia is to reach its
potential as a democratic state. Ultimately it will take a
combination of administrative improvements, increased capacity on the
part of elections officials, political parties and civil society, and
political will on the part of the Armenian authorities for elections
that meet international democratic standards to become a reality.
But the lessons of the last few years should be clear: any government
that falsifies elections is taking an enormous risk. We do not think
Armenia can afford another set of bad elections next time. In
addition, the Millennium Challenge Compact that was signed today is
contingent on Armenia’s remaining qualified for that assistance. This
requires that its pattern of actions not be contrary to the
independent, objective criteria used to select it for eligibility.
One of those criteria is meeting standards for “ruling justly.”
Even before the November referendum, those of us working on this issue
at the U.S. Mission in Yerevan had decided there was no time to waste.
Last summer we devised a program of assistance specifically aimed at
helping Armenia achieve democratic elections in 2007 (legislative) and
2008 (presidential). We announced the program in late October, at an
estimated cost of between $6 and $7 million, and it is now underway.
Our program has nine basic elements: 1) cleaning up the voters’ lists;
2) helping build capacity for administering elections properly; 3)
supporting voter education; 4) training judges to adjudicate electoral
disputes; 5) increasing public interest in elections and promoting a
democratic political culture; 6) developing unbiased and professional
polling capacity; 7) working with political parties, especially with
young people and women; 8) supporting domestic monitoring of elections
and the media; and 9) training and technical assistance for
journalists and media professionals covering elections. And let me
stress: our assistance aims to support the democratic process, not
parties or individuals.
In pursuing this program, we are not alone. Many Armenians both in
and out of the government want to see free and fair elections in 2007
and 2008. And we are joined by the European Union, the OSCE and the
Council of Europe in pressing for necessary improvements. Earlier
this month, the ambassadors of most of the OSCE participating states
met in Yerevan and issued a public call for free and fair elections.
Although resistance to change is formidable in some quarters, there
are other parts of the society that desperately want change. The
United States is not a newcomer to the challenge of building
democratic institutions in Armenia. We have been involved in this
process for ten years already. We were actively involved in
encouraging reforms during previous elections…but we believe that a
major push is necessary at this time. We need to build capacity, and
we need also to stiffen the political will of some leading figures.
But this is where you come in. You have made many contributions,
often simply by example. We know that many of you continue to
contribute to building a democratic culture in Armenia in many
different ways. But what I ask of you tonight is that you join with
us over the next fifteen months with a major push to help Armenia
achieve democratic elections in 2007 and 2008, following up on your
efforts in 2003. Many of you interact with Armenians both in and out
of the Government. We hope you will stress to them how important it
is for Armenia to hold elections that meet international
standards. Armenia’s government needs to know that the broad
international community — not only the U.S. Ambassador – is watching
and expects a better process. We invite you to become more deeply
acquainted with our program: a wealth of relevant information is
available on our Embassy website through our new Democracy link. As
appropriate, feel free to direct your Armenian contacts to these
resources, or have them talk to us.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Without hydrocarbons, without great natural resources, and fated to
live in a difficult neighborhood, Armenia has to live by its wits, and
by its ability to build a just and free society based on the rule of
law. The Millennium Challenge Compact that was signed earlier today,
as it is implemented over the next five years, will help. And with
your help, we believe Armenia’s future is bright.
The Armenian Assembly is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issue. The Armenian General Benevolent Union is the world’s largest
philanthropic organization devoted to education, cultural and
humanitarian efforts. Both are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership
organizations.
The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) is the
spiritual and administrative head of the Armenian Apostolic Church in
the Eastern United States. The Eastern Diocese and its counterpart,
the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, exist under the
authority of the ancient Mother See of the Armenian Church in Holy
Etchmiadzin.
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NR#2006-032
Photograph available on the Assembly Web site at the following link:
/2006-032-1.jpg
Caption: U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans at the Armenian
Assembly’s National Banquet on March 27.