U.S. CONCERNED ABOUT BROADENING COOPERATION BETWEEN ARMENIA, IRAN – DIPLOMAT

Interfax News Agency, Russia
Central Asia General Newswire
June 15, 2007 Friday 3:02 PM MSK

U.S. Charge d’Affairs in Armenia Anthony Godfrey has expressed his
concern about the expanded cooperation between Yerevan and Tehran at
a press conference in Yerevan on Friday.

This concern has been expressed to the Armenian government at all
levels, he said.

While it appreciates Armenia’s openness about its plans for energy
cooperation with Iran, the U.S. calls on its government to join it
in convincing Iran to comply with its international obligations,
Godfrey said.

Speaking of energy programs in Armenia, Godfrey said that the
U.S. wants energy security for Armenia. Both the U.S. and Armenia
realize the problems in this area and agree that urgent steps are
needed to replace the current Armenian power station, Godfrey said.

The U.S. has provided serious assistance in strengthening the security
at the Armenian power station, however, the station is still not
secure, he said.

We are not against the current power station in Armenia being replaced
by a new one, but we believe that the best decision must be found,
which is why we have carried out a feasibility study, Godfrey said.