ARMENIA: MEDIA REACTION ON MCC VP JOHN HEWKO'S VISIT

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000300

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/PPD, EUR/CARC


E.O. 12958; N/A
TAGS: OPRC AM KMDR KPAO
SUBJECT: ARMENIA: MEDIA REACTION ON MCC VP JOHN HEWKO'S VISIT


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SUMMARY
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1. MCC Vice President for Operations John Hewko visited Armenia
March 7-9. As part of his visit, Hewko held a press conference that
was covered extensively by the major television stations, three
newspapers, and a number of news agencies. Press reports focused on
Hewko's statement that the MCC program is conditional and the
upcoming parliamentary elections will directly affect Armenia's
Ruling Justly indicators and subsequent MCC eligibility. In
addition, Hewko praised the work of the MCA-Armenia team, stating
that he was very happy with how the Compact was being implemented.

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ELECTIONS ARE A "VERY, VERY IMPORTANT COMPONENT" OF FREEDOM
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2. The media widely covered Hewko's comments regarding the
importance of Armenia holding free and fair parliamentary elections
in May, 2007. Hayastani Hanrapetutiun, a government-owned newspaper
considered to be the official voice of the Armenian government,
reported that Hewko said that MCC was based on the principle of
working with countries that are democratic, and that elections are a
"very, very important component" of whether a country can be
considered free. The newspaper also emphasized Hewko's statement
that, "MCC and the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan will continue to monitor
the situation closely and will look to independent assessments, in
particular the OSCE assessment of the elections, because these
assessments capture the issues that affect MCC indicators."
Armenian Public TV, the most widely watched station in the country,
noted during its evening news program that, according to Hewko, the
Millennium Challenge program will continue only if the upcoming
elections are free and fair. The station reported that Millennium
Challenge provides funds only to countries that uphold democratic
values. PanArmenian.net, an independent news agency, reported
Hewko's statement that the Armenian Prime Minister, Parliament
Speaker and Foreign Minister all assured him that they are
"committed to free and fair elections, moving forward, and doing
what it takes to make sure that these elections present a
significant improvement over the last elections."

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MEDIA OUTLETS REPORT ON MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE DETAILS
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3. The details of the Millennium Challenge Armenia (MCA) program
were another focus in media coverage of the press conference.
Armenia TV, a private television station, reported that over USD
four million dollars in contract funds have already been disbursed
to date. The station quoted Hewko as saying, "We expect this
program to directly impact approximately 750,000 people, or 75
percent of the rural population, and reduce the rural poverty rates
while boosting annual incomes." Armenia TV also reported that U.S.
Charge d'Affaires Anthony Godfrey said, "So far most of the work of
MCA Armenia has been to set up the infrastructure for oversight and
implementation. The governing council, led by the Prime Minister,
and MCA Armenia, led by Ara Hovsepyan, and our own Resident Country
Director Alex Russin, have been working to identify the tools that
will be used for implementation of the complicated program that will
be carried out."


4. Arminfo, an independent news agency, wrote that Hewko, on behalf
of the MCC, congratulated Armenia and MCA-Armenia for their
"excellent efforts to implement the Armenia compact." Arka news
agency reported that the program aims at reducing poverty by
stimulating economic growth and developing rural municipal
communities. The media outlet noted that, under the five-year
program, Armenia intends to restore irrigation systems and rural
roads, provide better access to credit and technical support, and
assist farmers and agribusinesses.

GODFREY