BAKU: US Millennium Challenge Corporation Stops Financial Support To

US MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION STOPS FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ARMENIA

APA
June 11 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. US Millennium Challenge Corporation stopped the financial
assistance to Armenia. The decision was passed at the meeting of
the Millennium Challenge Corporation Board of Directors chaired by
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, APA reports quoting Armtoday.

The decision concerns only the road construction in Armenia, but not
the irrigation system.

The Board of Directors said it made this decision because last actions
by the Armenian government were contradictory to the democratic
administrative standards of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. "The
corporation regrettably reports that it can’t fund the construction
of roads in Armenia. The government of Armenia is responsible for
that decision because the government’s activity didn’t meet demands
of this program", said Executive Director Rodney Bent. He said the
decision wouldn’t be reviewed again.

The Corporation has a right to stop the financial assistance
temporarily or completely if the country doesn’t meet the required
issues, including freedom of press, transparency of the administration
and the government’s activity for prevention of corruption, democratic
power of the people.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation signed an agreement with Armenia
in 2006. According to the agreement, it must allocate 235.5 million
USD to Armenia within five years. 160 million USD should be allocated
for the irrigation system.

Azerbaijan does not participate in this program.