Tatul Hakobyan

Anthony Godfrey: “I'm cautiously optimistic.”

If the 2007 parliamentary and the 2008 presidential elections are not free and fair Armenia might be deprived of the opportunity of receiving US assistance within the framework of the Millennium Challenge program providing for $236 million for strategic investments in rural roads and irrigation infrastructure.

Besides the elections, this program is contingent on Armenia's demonstrating progress in fighting corruption. During his January 24, 2007 news conference at Urbat (Friday) Club, US Chargé d'Affaires Anthony Godfrey stated that he was “cautiously optimistic” in this regard.

The diplomat said that the United States had committed $6 million for free and fair elections in Armenia and that this nine-point program was to assist not only non-governmental organizations, but also agencies of the Government of Armenia. “We're working with the Police and with OVIR to improve the National Voter Registry. We're working with the Central Election Commission to train all territorial and precinct election committee members. One thing I'd like to point out is that it's not just the American government that is working to help Armenia succeed in its goal of free and fair elections. A variety of other organizations, including the Council of Europe, UNDP, OSCE, and a number of international NGOs are helping as well. But we share one goal, and that is to help Armenia succeed. It's our belief that the legitimacy of a government comes from its support, and the more legitimate a government is, the stronger and more stable it is, and the better a partner it will be,” Anthony Godfrey said.

In response to a journalist's question as to what measures will be taken by Washington if the parliamentary elections fail to meet international standards, the diplomat replied, “We share the goal that these elections should be free and fair and we are going to work to help Armenia achieve this.”

In general, Anthony Godfrey characterized the US-Armenia relations as a “strong partnership” in a large number of areas, from the fight against terrorism to promoting business and economic ties. The total value of US assistance programs since Armenia's independence has amounted to more than $1.6 billion. The US Chargé d'Affaires noted that if in the early years of independence the US effort was focused largely on humanitarian assistance, more recently development assistance had focused on three broad policy areas: helping to build regional stability and security; helping to develop Armenia's democratic institutions and civil society; and helping to ensure that Armenia's economic growth is both sustainable and enjoyed by all Armenians, regardless of whether they live in Yerevan or in rural areas.

Questions about regional developments were also put to Anthony Godfrey at the news conference. As is well known, Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan are planning to build the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi railroad, which will bypass Armenia and deepen its isolation. Asked to comment on a recent statement by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza that although the United States would like the railway which connects Turkey with Baku to pass through Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey may proceed with this if they wanted, the US Chargé d'Affaires noted:

“We strongly encourage regional integration in the South Caucasus. Removing trade barriers would improve regional integration and enhance economic cooperation and development. It's out belief that regional integration should include all countries of the region. Though if Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Georgia want to construct a railway and don't involve American financing, we can't object—it's not up to us to make that decision.”