COMPACT PROPOSAL MOVES ALONG -- FROM LOCAL

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000409

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID KMCA AM
SUBJECT: COMPACT PROPOSAL MOVES ALONG -- FROM LOCAL
CONSULTANTS TO INTERNATIONAL EXPERT

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PLEASE TREAT ACCORDINGLY


1. (SBU) The GOAM has informed Post that AVAG
Solutions, the local consulting firm hired to compile
Armenia's MCA compact proposal, completed its work and
presented a draft version of the proposal to the GOAM
MCA Board of Trustees on March 2. The Board reportedly
discussed and approved the document for further vetting
the same day.


2. (SBU) The GOAM has hired an international
consultant, Dr. Eugene McCarthy, to review the
document, meet with the GOAM MCA Board and donor
agencies in Armenia from March 15-30, and prepare it
for formal submission to the Millennium Challenge
Corporation in early April. Funding for McCarthy's
services comes from a World Bank grant to the GOAM for
this purpose. The World Bank referred McCarthy to the
GOAM from what they claim was a list of international
experts.


3. (SBU) According to information obtained by Post,
the current draft proposes approximately USD 130
million of development projects focusing on rural
infrastructure projects (irrigation and road
improvement).
EVANS