FREEDOM HOUSE URGES MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE NOT TO PROVIDE AID TO ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2006 14:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A leading U.S. human rights organization urged
the U.S. Administration on Friday to withhold promised economic
assistance to Armenia and six other developing countries which it
believes fail to meet "reasonable standards" for democracy and civil
liberties. "November 8 the Board of Directors of the Millennium
Challenge Corporation has to choose governments of those countries,
which can appeal for assistance in 2007," the Freedom House remarks
and urges to leave out countries, which have low marks in political
rights and civil liberties. These include Armenia, Bhutan, Egypt,
Jordan, Maldives, Tunisia and Vietnam, says a Freedom House statement
released November 3.

This September the Millennium Challenge Account was officially
launched in Armenia. According to it the US will provide $236 million
to Armenia within 5 years – basically for agriculture. "The Freedom
House urges the Corporation to follow countries like Armenia, with
which agreements are signed but which do not ensure promised indicators
in democratic government. Armenia is the major one, as it was among
the first countries to sign the agreement this year. However, Armenia
registered regress in implementation of the reforms," concludes the
Freedom House, reports RFE/RL.