AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES CITIZEN CONCERNS IN ARMENIA'S

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 001337

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE, EUR/PGI, DRL
DEPT PLEASE PASS USAID AND MCC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID AM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES CITIZEN CONCERNS IN ARMENIA'S
SYUNIK REGION



1. (U) Summary: Ambassador Ordway discussed USG assistance
programs and current events with Armenians living in the
southern province of Syunik during a town hall meeting June
8 in the provincial capital of Kapan. The meeting was part
of a broader schedule of USG assistance site visits and
political consultations with representatives from regional
and local government bodies. Armenians raised the issues of
education, youth programs, refugees and infrastructure needs
and asked the Ambassador to continue looking for ways to
match USG assistance programming to urgent needs at the
local level. National and regional press covered the event
which was organized through a network of local NGOs active
in democracy and governance. End summary.

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TOWN HALL MEETING BRINGS TOGETHER NGOS, AMCITS, GOAM REPS
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2. (U) Ambassador Ordway met with Armenians living in the
southern province of Syunik to discuss USG assistance and
current events during a town hall meeting June 8 in the
provincial capital of Kapan. Volunteers from local NGOs
active in democracy and governance issues constituted the
majority of the participants. Local government leaders,
Amcits living in the region and citizens interested in U.S.-
Armenia issues also attended the event.

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PEOPLE SPEAK OUT ON EDUCATION, YOUTH, RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
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3. (U) Following the screening of a video presentation
summarizing USG assistance efforts in Armenia, Armenians
posed questions on a wide range of assistance-related
issues. Educators from local schools raised the issue of
how the USG chose schools for programs including the
Armenian School Connectivity Program and USAID's Public
Works Project (a countrywide structural rehabilitation
program involving schools and other municipal buildings).
Educators and municipal leaders said there was a continued
need for youth programs in the province and expressed their
perception that there were increasingly limited government
resources in this area. Participants also raised questions
about USG and donor community approaches to the most urgent
needs of refugee communities, including housing and
employment.

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MATCHING ASSISTANCE TO "EVERYDAY NEEDS"
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4. (U) A common theme among participants' questions and
comments was a perceived need by Armenians in the Syunik
region to better channel their input to the government and
donor organizations like the USG regarding future assistance
programs. Attendees from both government and NGO
organizations suggested that their opinions regarding urgent
assistance needs at the local level were not a central part
of the policy-making process. Ambassador Ordway responded
to these concerns by outlining USG assistance strategies and
the newly-adopted USAID five-year strategy. He also
mentioned the upcoming consultative process related to the
GOAM's Millennium Challenge Account compact submission and
encouraged civic organizations to stay abreast of MCA
developments and voice their input.

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ASSISTANCE SITES IN ARMENIA'S SOUTH
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5. (U) The town hall meeting was part of a broader schedule
of USG assistance site visits and consultations with local
leaders in the Syunik region. The Ambassador and
representatives from USAID and Peace Corps visited USG
assistance project sites including a meeting with GOAM
officials at the Armenia-Iran border control point in
Meghri, a Community Self Help Fund renovation project in the
region's largest elementary school, a newly privatized
mining facility involving significant investment from U.S.
investors, Peace Corps volunteers in the town of Goris. The
Ambassador also presided at the inauguration of a newly-
renovated psychiatric hospital in Kapan. The hospital
project involved USG funding and cooperation from four other
humanitarian assistance providers. Regional government and
Ministry of Health representatives praised the project as a
prime example of collaboration among the donor community.
The Ambassador also consulted with the Marzpet (Governor)
and mayors as part of the trip schedule.

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DESPITE UPCOMING ELECTION, LITTLE POLITICAL BUZZ
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6. (U) Despite a regional by-election scheduled for June 13
and a flurry of activity among opposition politicians in
April and May, there was relatively little discussion among
town hall participants or government interlocutors about
political issues during the Ambassador's visit. (Note: The
election for the majoritarian seat in Armenia's National
Assembly was called after MP Suren Khachatryan was appointed
Syunik's new marzpet in March 2004. Only one candidate,
Vahan Hakobyan remained in the race. Hakobyan is the son of
Kocharian supporter Maxim Hakobyan -- a wealthy and
influential business figure with considerable ties to
Syunik's mining industry. End note.) When asked about the
election, most Armenians expressed confidence that Hakobyan
would garner the necessary fifty percent of the vote and
take the election. NGOs active in democracy and governance
programs expressed similar views following the town hall
meeting and even went so far as to predict an "uneventful"
election on June 13 (septel).
ORDWAY