ARMENIA: US OFFICIALS SAY YEREVAN RISKS LOSING DEVELOPMENT FUNDS
Joshua Kucera
EurasiaNet
April 18 2008
NY
Armenia could lose US economic support if it does not quickly
take action to promote a "national dialogue," US legislators and
administration officials are cautioning.
Washington holds the Armenian government responsible for the March
1 clashes that resulted in the deaths of at least 10 people, said
Matthew Bryza, deputy assistant secretary of state for Europe and
Eurasia. "Although we may never know who was ultimately responsible
for triggering the violence … it is the responsibility of the
government to avoid the use of lethal force, even when peaceful
protests descend into violent clashes," Bryza said while testifying
April 17 at a hearing of the US Helsinki Commission. [For background
see the Eurasia Insight archive].
Although a controversial state of emergency ended 20 days after it
was imposed, several of its restrictions were written into law,
in particular limitations on the right of assembly. In addition,
tax authorities have been investigating opposition newspapers,
police presence is heavy, and the authorities continue to arrest
opposition activists across the country. [For background see the
Eurasia Insight archive].
"We call for the impartial investigation and prosecution of anyone who
used violence, on either side," Bryza said. "We seek full restoration
of all basic freedoms in both law and practice. We seek a national
dialogue between the government, opposition, and civil society leaders
to chart new electoral reforms and perhaps conclude a ‘contract for
democracy’ that will ensure freedom of assembly in exchange for
a pledge to protest lawfully and peacefully. Those who have been
arrested for political reasons must be released. And we seek renewed
and dramatic steps by the government of Armenia to resurrect democratic
reforms that the past two months demonstrate are so vitally needed."
Armenia is in line for $235 million in aid as part of the US Millennium
Challenge Corporation program, which rewards developing countries
for implementing democratic and free-market reforms. [For background
see the Eurasia Insight archive]. The head of the MCC has written
Armenia’s new president, Serzh Sarkisian, suggesting that the crisis
is endangering Armenia’s aid.
"We are disappointed that the results of that reform effort have
been mixed – and in the wake of the tragic violence that followed
the February election – below the MCC criteria," Bryza said. "I’m
not here to issue empty threats, or to sound threatening. But the
reality is that the MCC is a performance-based program."
Although Bryza attended Sarkisian’s inauguration, President
George W. Bush has not written a letter congratulating him, as is
customary. "I do sense from my colleagues at the White House that they
– we all – share the desire to see dramatic steps to restore democratic
momentum in Armenia and we are committed to doing everything we can
to elicit and support such steps," Bryza said.
Two Armenians also testified at the hearing: Arman Grigorian, an
adviser to opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrossian, and Vigen Sarkisian,
an assistant to the Serzh Sarkisian.
The commission’s chairman, Representative Alcee Hastings (a Democrat
from Florida) did not ask any questions of either of the witnesses but
instead lectured both on the need to resolve Armenia’s problems. To
the opposition, Hastings said: "If you have proof that people are
political prisoners, then that proof needs to be put forth. And if
you accuse people of murder, you ought to be able to back up what
you’re saying. And if I turn to you, Mr. Sarkisian, and you tell me
that there are no political prisoners, then I will tell you that you
are out of your ever-loving mind. Because there are."
"All of y’all need to get grown up," he continued. "Armenia doesn’t
need American intervention or European intervention – what it needs
are Armenian citizens to come to terms with their own reality and move
your nation forward. And that makes it much easier for me and others
to ask for appropriations for infrastructure and economic development
and all of those things if we know that human rights are protected,
if we know that civil liberties are protected, if we know that media
rights are protected."
The hearing also touched on other ongoing issues in Armenia. Senator
Ben Cardin (a Democrat from Maryland), the co-chair of the commission,
asked Bryza about an apparent escalation in bellicose rhetoric
and military spending coming from Azerbaijan. Cardin wondered
whether Baku is considering trying to retake Nagorno-Karabakh by
force. Bryza dismissed the rhetoric as merely for domestic political
consumption. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].
"Leverage, bargaining, is part of the negotiation. Belligerent military
threats are something nobody wants to hear, we complain about them,
we urge President [Ilham] Aliyev to reduce tension to make it easier
for there to be a solution," Bryza responded. "His statements reflect
politics in Azerbaijan. There is a large number of Azerbaijani citizens
who favor armed conflict to regain Nagorno-Karabakh. Whether we like
it or not, people think that way, and President Aliyev’s statements
reflect that sentiment."
Pressed by Cardin, Bryza declined to publicly say what penalty
Azerbaijan might incur from Washington if it were to initiate
military action. "I wouldn’t want to speculate on that because all
of the various scenarios are so unpredictable, but what I can say is
that it’s clear that any resumption of armed hostility in or around
Nagorno-Karabakh would be tragic," he said.
Cardin drew a parallel to Yugoslavia in 1991 and said that the West’s
feeble response to Serbian invasions of Slovenia and Croatia emboldened
Serbia to continue its attacks. "I think a predictable penalty at
least needs to be on the drawing board if hostilities are instigated by
Azerbaijan. … I’m very worried about what’s going on here," he said.
Editor’s Note: Joshua Kucera is a Washington, DC,-based freelance
writer who specializes in security issues in Central Asia, the Caucasus
and the Middle East.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
