InternationalEver heard of multitasking?
Published: Tuesday June 16, 2009
Sir:
I think Armenia's Foreign Ministry owes us a better response to the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation's decision to cut part of Armenia's funding than to say that it is too busy to respond because it is dealing with the visit of Estonia's foreign minister. (Armenian Reporter, June 13.)
This condescending response is an insult to Armenians and especially Armenian-Americans, who for years to come will need to explain to their own government why Armenia is still deserving of support when it has violated the terms of the Millennium Challenge Compact.
I remember in past years, then-Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian would come to Washington to talk up the new rural development plans, and mentioning how the MCC funds would go a long way in supporting Armenia where they are needed most.
Unfortunately rural Armenians will continue to suffer with this loss. I'm afraid about the direction Armenian democracy is going.
Meanwhile, we shouldn't overlook the fact that U.S. government aid givers are hardly being genuine with these decisions either. I find it strange that if aid to Armenia is so contingent on democratic governance, then why has there been a rise in proposed aid and assistance to Azerbaijan this fiscal year?
Clearly there is more at play here than merely supporting democracies. Yet unfortunately I have already seen the Azerbaijani propaganda using this very fact to claim it has been making strides over Armenia, forgetting the fact it just paved the way to make Ilham Aliyev president for life.
Very truly yours,
Paul Sookiasian
