Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04YEREVAN1179
2004-05-20 02:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:  

SPRING 2004 DIASPORA ROUNDTABLE FOCUSES ON

Tags:  PREL PGOV EAID AM 
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UNCLAS YEREVAN 001179 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID AM
SUBJECT: SPRING 2004 DIASPORA ROUNDTABLE FOCUSES ON
INVESTMENT, PARTNERSHIP WITH USG ASSISTANCE

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001179

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID ARMENIA'>AM
SUBJECT: SPRING 2004 DIASPORA ROUNDTABLE FOCUSES ON
INVESTMENT, PARTNERSHIP WITH USG ASSISTANCE


1. The May 5-7 meetings of the Ambassador's Diaspora
Roundtable held in Yerevan focused on encouraging
private investment in ARMENIA and increasing
partnership between Diaspora-based groups and the USG
with ongoing assistance projects. Thirty-seven
prominent ARMENIAn-Americans representing the entire
range of Diasporan organizations attended the event.
The schedule included: a briefing with the Assistance
Coordination Group; panel discussions with locally-
based Diasporans active in the business sector; visits
to USG assistance program sites in and around the
capital; a keynote address by President Kocharian's
Chief Economic Advisor Vahram Nercissiantz; a workshop
with key international donor organizations active in
ARMENIA including the World Bank and United Nations;
and a reception including more than 100 USG
implementing partners and GOAM representatives.
Diasporans were also matched with USG employees
managing programs in specific sectors for specialized
consultations to explore future possibilities for
public-private partnerships.


2. Most notable among the meeting's conclusions was a
call by participants for greater transparency and new
legislation to protect philanthropic efforts by
Diasporans in ARMENIA. The group raised these concerns
with high-level GOAM representatives and requested
Embassy support in furthering future dialogue on the
subject. The meeting also laid the groundwork for
initiating or deepening a number of public-private
partnerships that will complement ongoing USG
assistance projects in ARMENIA. Participants also
expressed interest in several burgeoning sectors that
included USG small and medium-sized development
projects where private investment could strengthen both
the local economy and Diasporan investment portfolios.


3. The Spring 2004 installment of the Ambassador's
Diaspora Roundtable was the third time the group had
met since 2002. Previous meetings were held in Yerevan
and in Chicago. The event was conceived as a mechanism
for greater understanding regarding USG assistance
efforts in ARMENIA between leading Diasporan advocacy
groups and the USG. Improved communication with the
Diaspora has stemmed the spread of potentially damaging
misinformation regarding USG assistance funding in
ARMENIA. In addition, this dialogue has helped direct
Diasporan assistance efforts to areas complementary to
USG policy goals of democratic strengthening, economic
freedom and regional stability. ARMENIAn-American
groups have praised the event as the best source for
direct dialogue with the USG on assistance-related
issues and called on post to continue this initiative
in the future.
ORDWAY