“KARABAKH CONFLICT MUST NOT BECOME A MEANS FOR SOLVING POLITICAL PROBLEMS”

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“The appointment of the US Ambassador to Armenia is important for the relations of the two countries, but Armenia does not accept that decision”, said U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Anthony F. Godfrey in “Urbat” club. According to him, the RA Government has approved of the candidacy of Hogland put forward by the US President, and the decision is up to the Senate.

Mr. Anthony Godfrey is pleased with the quality of the relations between the countries, but he noted that “the more legitimate the Government is, the better partner it is”, hinting at the upcoming Parliamentary elections. By the way, if the elections record serious shortcomings, the “Millennium Challenges Corporation” can revise the participation of Armenia in the program. The Corporation will allot 236 million USD to Armenia for the reconstruction of irrigation systems and rural roads.

According to Alex Rassin, the head of the Armenian office of the “Millennium Challenges Corporation”, Armenia can be left out of the program in case the evaluating indices fall. Nevertheless, the US officials are optimistic and have promised the RA Authorities to continue the reforms in the political, economic and social fields providing the continuous participation of Armenia in the program.

Referring to the construction of the oil pipeline Kars-Akhalqalakh-Tbilisi-Baku railway which passes around Armenia, Mr. Godfrey mentioned that they would like all the regional countries to be included into the regional programs. “But if the railway is to be constructed not with American money, we cannot forbid it”.

Does the USA find the settlement of the Karabakh conflict realistic after the announcement of President Kocharyan according to which he will not allow the political powers to make use of the Karabakh conflict during the elections? Mr. Godfrey did not give a clear-cut answer. He simply said that the settlement of the NKR conflict is of vital importance, and it must not become a means for the political parties for solving their problems. He added that the OSCE Minsk group is authorized to give the answer to that question.

By the way, the OSCE co-chairs are arriving in Yerevan tonight.