"KARABAKH CONFLICT MUST NOT BECOME A MEANS FOR SOLVING POLITICAL PROBLEMS"

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[04:08 pm] 24 January, 2007

"The appointment of the US Ambassador to Armenia is important for
the relations of the two countries, but Armenia does not accept
that decision", said U.S. Charge d’Affaires Anthony F. Godfrey in
"Urbat" club. According to him, the RA Government has approved of
the candidacy of Hogland put forward by the US President, and the
decision is up to the Senate.

Mr. Anthony Godfrey is pleased with the quality of the relations
between the countries, but he noted that "the more legitimate the
Government is, the better partner it is", hinting at the upcoming
Parliamentary elections. By the way, if the elections record serious
shortcomings, the "Millennium Challenges Corporation" can revise
the participation of Armenia in the program. The Corporation will
allot 236 million USD to Armenia for the reconstruction of irrigation
systems and rural roads.

According to Alex Rassin, the head of the Armenian office of the
"Millennium Challenges Corporation", Armenia can be left out of the
program in case the evaluating indices fall. Nevertheless, the US
officials are optimistic and have promised the RA Authorities to
continue the reforms in the political, economic and social fields
providing the continuous participation of Armenia in the program.

Referring to the construction of the oil pipeline
Kars-Akhalqalakh-Tbilisi-Baku railway which passes around Armenia,
Mr. Godfrey mentioned that they would like all the regional countries
to be included into the regional programs. "But if the railway is to
be constructed not with American money, we cannot forbid it".

Does the USA find the settlement of the Karabakh conflict realistic
after the announcement of President Kocharyan according to which
he will not allow the political powers to make use of the Karabakh
conflict during the elections? Mr. Godfrey did not give a clear-cut
answer. He simply said that the settlement of the NKR conflict is of
vital importance, and it must not become a means for the political
parties for solving their problems. He added that the OSCE Minsk
group is authorized to give the answer to that question.

By the way, the OSCE co-chairs are arriving in Yerevan tonight.