ARMENIA CAN SEARCH FOR DONORS IN OTHER COUNTRIES

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
12.06.2009 17:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Millennium Challenges Corporation’s decision to
suspend financing of Armenia is not connected with recent elections
into the Council of elders, Caucasus Institute Director, politologist
Alexander Iskandaryan told a news conference in Yerevan. "Firstly,
corporation’s management has been changed, so, probably the new
management has a new approach to some issues. Secondly, March 1-2
events has had a serious impact on Armenia’s image and it’s hard to
improve it, once impaired."

According to him, suspension of financing in Armenia will not promote
democracy development in the country. "This step won’t make Armenian
opposition better or more democratic. $ 70 million is not a large sum,
but in crisis circumstances, we surely, need the money. Such a decision
is a political loss to Armenia, but the country could look for donors
in other countries, Alexander Iskandaryan emphasized. According to
the politologist, this decision is not a consequence of Armenia’s
refraining from participation in NATO trainings in Georgia.

At the sitting of Millennium Challenges Board of Directors, headed
by State Secretary Hillary Clinton, Corporation decided to suspend
financing of Armenia. According to Corporation’s Director Deneral,
Rodney Bent, RA Government is responsible for the decision, as
its actions do not satisfy corporation’s principles for democratic
governance development.