U.S. Expects Armenia to Hold Free and Fair Elections

PanARMENIAN.Net - Ambassador Evans met with President Kocharian on Tuesday, January 17 to discuss concerns that have arisen in Washington and elsewhere in connection with the November 27 referendum on the constitutional amendments. The Millennium Challenge Compact that was approved in December by the Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation has yet to be signed, and the announcement of the compact's approval was accompanied by a letter to President Kocharian from Ambassador John Danilovich, the MCC's chief executive officer, voicing "concerns about the Government of Armenia's commitment to good governance." To be eligible for assistance under the Millennium Challenge Account, states must satisfy certain criteria, one of which can be summarized as "ruling justly." The Ambassador and President Kocharian discussed possible steps that might be taken to reassure the United States that Armenia remains committed to strengthening democratic institutions and to the holding of free and fair elections in 2007 and 2008. Ambassador Evans and President Kocharian also discussed cooperation between the two countries aimed at combating the threat of avian influenza.