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U.S. Threatens Armenia With Direct Sanctions
Naira Hayrumyan, Political Commentator
Comments - 31 July 2014, 17:57
The U.S. embassy has warned Armenia about threats of cooperation with
Russian companies which have undergone U.S. sanctions. The list of
sanctions includes at least several banks, as well as Rosneft with
which Armenia is cooperating closely. What threats are meant? It has
been a few years the United States keeps Iran under sanctions but
Armenia cooperates with this country without being overridden by
American sanctions. It is true that there were problems with the
Iranian Mellat Bank in Armenia through which, according to the
Americans, suspicious transactions were made. Later, however, the
problems were resolved.
In fact, the United States warns that direct sanctions may be imposed
on Armenia. Yesterday, apparently with this purpose, Prime Minister
Hovik Abrahamyan was visited by the U.S. Ambassador Heffern and USAID
Country Director Hilliard. They may have warned the Armenian prime
minister to refrain from new deals with Rosneft.
Direct sanctions by the United States may produce tangible
consequences for Armenia unlike sanctions imposed on Russia which may
not affect Armenia. Too close relations with Russia are already
indirectly experienced by Armenia. For example, the U.S. Congress has
passed the Russian Aggression Prevention Act which envisages a status
of a U.S. partner for Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, as well as
military assistance to a number of countries, including Azerbaijan.
Armenia is not found on this list.
It is not difficult to guess what this means. Armenia now has to work
hard to avoid U.S. sanctions and not to be identified with Russia.
Hardly anyone in Armenia likes the fact that Russia is the target of
the world but Armenia has no reason to sacrifice itself out of
faithfulness to Russia.
Direct U.S. sanctions against Armenia may eventually kill the Armenian
economy and social structure. The Armenian authorities are facing a
difficult choice but this situation gradually stops being a choice so
only one way is left not to die.
- See more at: http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/32797#sthash.tziAdqdK.dpuf
Naira Hayrumyan, Political Commentator
Comments - 31 July 2014, 17:57
The U.S. embassy has warned Armenia about threats of cooperation with
Russian companies which have undergone U.S. sanctions. The list of
sanctions includes at least several banks, as well as Rosneft with
which Armenia is cooperating closely. What threats are meant? It has
been a few years the United States keeps Iran under sanctions but
Armenia cooperates with this country without being overridden by
American sanctions. It is true that there were problems with the
Iranian Mellat Bank in Armenia through which, according to the
Americans, suspicious transactions were made. Later, however, the
problems were resolved.
In fact, the United States warns that direct sanctions may be imposed
on Armenia. Yesterday, apparently with this purpose, Prime Minister
Hovik Abrahamyan was visited by the U.S. Ambassador Heffern and USAID
Country Director Hilliard. They may have warned the Armenian prime
minister to refrain from new deals with Rosneft.
Direct sanctions by the United States may produce tangible
consequences for Armenia unlike sanctions imposed on Russia which may
not affect Armenia. Too close relations with Russia are already
indirectly experienced by Armenia. For example, the U.S. Congress has
passed the Russian Aggression Prevention Act which envisages a status
of a U.S. partner for Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, as well as
military assistance to a number of countries, including Azerbaijan.
Armenia is not found on this list.
It is not difficult to guess what this means. Armenia now has to work
hard to avoid U.S. sanctions and not to be identified with Russia.
Hardly anyone in Armenia likes the fact that Russia is the target of
the world but Armenia has no reason to sacrifice itself out of
faithfulness to Russia.
Direct U.S. sanctions against Armenia may eventually kill the Armenian
economy and social structure. The Armenian authorities are facing a
difficult choice but this situation gradually stops being a choice so
only one way is left not to die.
- See more at: http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/32797#sthash.tziAdqdK.dpuf