On November 3 the “Freedom House” organization called on the “Millennium Challenges” to exclude Armenia from the list of countries eligible to receive monetary grants during 2007. The organization reasoned that Armenia registered regress in democracy development. The mentioned list was supposed to be approved on November 8. The Minister of Economy and Finances, Vardan Khachatryan, who signed the MCC memorandum on behalf of the Armenian government, hoped that MCC wouldn’t suspend the program.
According to the “Azatutyun” radio station, the Minister said: “We don’t have any problems. “ “Freedom House” didn’t fully survey the criteria. Besides that, it’s not only the opinion of “Freedom House” that counts. Other NGOs have also expressed opinions. But it’s only up to the MCC to make the final decision.” Khachatryan believes that the State Budget draft has already anticipated the $12 million contract of the MCC. In response to the question whether the suspension of the program wouldn’t put the budget in jeopardy, Khachatryan said, “We can ask such questions regarding the monetary transfers (from international organizations). If they don’t provide money we will have to cut certain expenses from our budget”.
