ARMENIA: MEDIA REACTION TO MCC ANNOUNCEMENT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 002201 SIPDIS EUR/PPD-CFITZGERALD, JBASEDOW, EUR/CACEN-JDEHART, KWITMER E.O. 12958; N/A TAGS: KMDR OPRC KPAO AM SUBJECT: ARMENIA: MEDIA REACTION TO MCC ANNOUNCEMENT -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. On December 19, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Board announced that it had approved a five-year, USD 235.65 million compact with Armenia. Media coverage of the announcement was extensive, with all major television stations and newspapers reporting on it. Some outlets focused on the MCC's statement of concern about irregularities in Armenia's November 27 referendum and criticized Armenian authorities for jeopardizing the country's MCC eligibility. Others, however, simply ignored the MCC's statement of concern. One newspaper continued its criticism of the U.S. government, calling the MCC's warning that it could suspend or terminate funding if the GOAM fails to demonstrate its commitment to democracy and transparency a "bluff." END SUMMARY. -------------- - TELEVISION STATIONS PROVIDE EXTENSIVE COVERAGE -------------- - ¶2. All major television stations covered the MCC's announcement that it had approved a compact with Armenia, as well as a press conference on the MCC program held by Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy Tigran Khachatrian. Armenia TV, an independent television station generally considered to be pro-government, aired a lengthy segment on the MCC announcement as part of its evening news program. The broadcast included an interview with the Charge d'Affaires. -------------- -------------- SOME OUTLETS FOCUS ON MCC'S CONCERN ABOUT THE REFERENDUM... -------------- -------------- ¶3. "Armenia Liberty," RFE/RL's Armenian service, published an article on its website entitled, "U.S. Approves Hefty Aid Program to Armenia, With Caveat." The article states, "A U.S. government agency that administers the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA)...expressed concern about the Armenian government's handling of the recent constitutional referendum. In a statement released in Washington on Monday, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) called into question the government's commitment to democracy and good governance, citing serious irregularities reported during the November 27 vote." The article quotes the Charge d'Affaires as stating, "Keeping the MCC process on track with Armenia will require the Armenian government to invigorate its commitment to bolstering democratic institutions." ¶4. In an article entitled "Grant with a Slap," the opposition daily "Aravot" stated, "It can be said that not only can Armenian officials not congratulate each other on receiving this money, but, with their electoral falsifications, they have also put at risk Armenia's chances of receiving the funding. Nobody in Armenia is punished for fabricating votes, so there will be no improvement of the situation." -------------- -- ...WHILE OTHERS IGNORE THE STATEMENT OF CONCERN -------------- -- ¶5. Three of the six major newspapers published on Wednesdays in Armenia reported on the approval of Armenia's MCC compact, but made no mention of the Board's statement of concern about irregularities in the November 27 referendum. "Hayots Ashkhar," a pro-government newspaper, "Azg," a center-right daily, and "Respublika Armenia," a Russian- language government-owned newspaper, reported on the provisions of the compact and the press conference held by Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy Tigran Khachatrian, but failed to note the MCC's call on the GOAM to demonstrate its commitment to democracy and transparency. -------------- TABLOID CONTINUES CRITICISM OF U.S GOVERNMENT -------------- ¶6. "Haykakan Zhamanak," a tabloid daily, continued its criticism of the U.S. government. In article entitled, "We Are Armenian, Brothers," the newspaper states, "The U.S. is using this program [the MCA] to toughen its position towards the constitutional referendum that took place on November 27, thus threatening Armenian authorities, as if saying, 'If you say something against democracy, you will have to deal with us.' But all this continues to sound ridiculous, as the United States supported the November 27 referendum, and even provoked voting infringements that were beyond description." The article continues, "Regarding the MCC, [U.S. Ambassador] John Evans's colleagues claim that they may not provide Armenia with funding. But the fact that this is a bluff is evident, since not providing Armenia with the money would leave this 'strategic region' to the whims of Russia and Iran--something the advocates of democracy cannot allow themselves to do." GODFREY