POLITICAL EVENTS OF LAST TWO MONTHS IN ARMENIA MADE THE SITUATION TENSE IN RESPECT OF THE COUNTRY’S DEMOCRATIZATION, A US DIPLOMAT THINKS

arminfo
2008-03-28 22:14:00

ArmInfo. The political events of the last two months in Armenia caused
Washington’s concern, US Charge d’Affaires a.i. Joseph Pennington told
journalists, commenting upon possible "freezing" of the Millennium
Challenge Compact (MCC) Program in Armenia.

According to him, this concern was expressed in a letter addressed
to Armenian President Robert Kocharyan by Chief Executive Officer
of the Millennium Challenge Corporation John Danilovich. "It is
useful to remember that many of the indicators for the continuation
of eligibility of the MCC program in Armenia were already troubled
before these events", Pennington said.

He added that the most problematic sphere concerns the issue of
ensuring good governance, including freedom of media, corruption and
transparency in governance. The events of the last two months made
the situation tense, the diplomat noted. Clarifying the goals of the
MCC program, he stressed that they imply possible development of a
democratic system in the country, as well as free market principles.

This is the basic requirement of the program, he added.

To recall, under the program, the United States is to provide Armenia
with 235 mln USD grant, which will be spent on restoration of rural
infrastructure.