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U.S. Reduces Field To Maneuver For Armenia
U.S. Department of State released the annual report on human rights.
The section on Armenia runs about `flaws in the conduct of May 6
legislative elections included the misuse of government resources to
support the ruling party, credible allegations of vote buying,
deficiencies in the complaints and appeals process, and continued
shortcomings in the electoral code despite improvements.'
Actually, State Department point out the shortcomings, which were
later repeated in the presidential elections in 2013. The assessment
of the presidential elections will be given next year, but Barack
Obama was one of the first presidents to congratulate Serzh Sargsyan
for his victory. This was perceived by the authorities as a
card-blanche but apparently, the U.S. will periodically recall that in
case of lack of reforms, the card-blanche may be taken back.
The U.S. cuts aid to Armenia, stating at the same time about major
investment projects. Since Tigran Sargsyan's visit to the United
States in December last year, none of the projects has been realized.
Perhaps, it was determined by the electoral period of Armenia, but,
apparently, the U.S. is dissatisfied and it decided to act on its own.
Several significant economic events happened which are somehow related
to the U.S. embassy in Armenia. First, it was stated that the French
Carrefour is coming to Armenia and the U.S. ambassador lobbied it. He
hardly meant to help the French company, but he aimed at breaking
Samvel Alexanyan's vicious monopoly in the import of essential goods.
Besides, Armavia Air Company was announced bankrupt, which, according
to Heffern, was the reason of the high cost of tickets and
poor-quality service for tourism and the obstacle for exports in
Armenia.
The third step of the ambassador was the tough statement regarding
Vartan Oskanian's case, who was almost arrested for money laundering.
The ambassador `advised' the authorities of Armenia to `deal with the
case'. Once again, he didn't do it to help Oskanian but not to fear
off Diaspora Armenians which the U.S. prepares to invest in Armenia.
It is noteworthy that the Armenian government does not accuse the U.S.
for interference in internal affairs of Armenia, though it is evident.
It is possible that the Armenian authorities don't have enough
legitimacy and they benefit from this kind of interference: it helps
to fight the oligarchy and `put the blame on America'. Besides, if the
American officials weren't right or pursued their personal goals, our
authorities would immediately demand to stop interfering.
The State Dept.'s tough report will be accepted by the Armenian
authorities in silence, as they did many times. But the activeness of
the ambassador and the stress of the report should recall to them that
the time to maneuver is over, it is time for concrete actions.
Naira Hayrumyan
14:32 20/04/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/politics/view/29683
U.S. Department of State released the annual report on human rights.
The section on Armenia runs about `flaws in the conduct of May 6
legislative elections included the misuse of government resources to
support the ruling party, credible allegations of vote buying,
deficiencies in the complaints and appeals process, and continued
shortcomings in the electoral code despite improvements.'
Actually, State Department point out the shortcomings, which were
later repeated in the presidential elections in 2013. The assessment
of the presidential elections will be given next year, but Barack
Obama was one of the first presidents to congratulate Serzh Sargsyan
for his victory. This was perceived by the authorities as a
card-blanche but apparently, the U.S. will periodically recall that in
case of lack of reforms, the card-blanche may be taken back.
The U.S. cuts aid to Armenia, stating at the same time about major
investment projects. Since Tigran Sargsyan's visit to the United
States in December last year, none of the projects has been realized.
Perhaps, it was determined by the electoral period of Armenia, but,
apparently, the U.S. is dissatisfied and it decided to act on its own.
Several significant economic events happened which are somehow related
to the U.S. embassy in Armenia. First, it was stated that the French
Carrefour is coming to Armenia and the U.S. ambassador lobbied it. He
hardly meant to help the French company, but he aimed at breaking
Samvel Alexanyan's vicious monopoly in the import of essential goods.
Besides, Armavia Air Company was announced bankrupt, which, according
to Heffern, was the reason of the high cost of tickets and
poor-quality service for tourism and the obstacle for exports in
Armenia.
The third step of the ambassador was the tough statement regarding
Vartan Oskanian's case, who was almost arrested for money laundering.
The ambassador `advised' the authorities of Armenia to `deal with the
case'. Once again, he didn't do it to help Oskanian but not to fear
off Diaspora Armenians which the U.S. prepares to invest in Armenia.
It is noteworthy that the Armenian government does not accuse the U.S.
for interference in internal affairs of Armenia, though it is evident.
It is possible that the Armenian authorities don't have enough
legitimacy and they benefit from this kind of interference: it helps
to fight the oligarchy and `put the blame on America'. Besides, if the
American officials weren't right or pursued their personal goals, our
authorities would immediately demand to stop interfering.
The State Dept.'s tough report will be accepted by the Armenian
authorities in silence, as they did many times. But the activeness of
the ambassador and the stress of the report should recall to them that
the time to maneuver is over, it is time for concrete actions.
Naira Hayrumyan
14:32 20/04/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/politics/view/29683