“There is no clear decision about freezing of the US Millennium Challenge Compact. The Official Washington hasn’t made such a decision yet,” said the US Charge d’Affaires Joseph Pennington and added that it would be fair to give the Armenian government an opportunity to fix the situation. “If we notice that the government is not fixing the situation we will have to freeze the MCC agreement,” he said and emphasized that the US doesn’t wish to freeze the compact. In addition, Joseph Pennington said the purpose of the letter of John Danilovich was not punishment or threat; it addressed the Armenian government to encourage it to move along the path for democracy. According to Joseph Pennington, the letter of John Danilovich mentioned only the possibility of suspension of the MCC program. However, no decision has been passed yet. The U.S. diplomat says the United States is not likely to suspend the MCC program because it is targeted at people who need it. However, if there is no return to the path for democracy, the program will be suspended although he repeats that it is not the purpose of the United States. Joseph Pennington says it will be fair to give Armenia’s president-elect and his administration a chance to correct the situation. By the way, with regard to the role of the United States in the home political developments in Armenia, and efforts to prepare a color revolution, the U.S. diplomat said the problems which have led to this situation have occurred in Armenia and will not be solved through the United States but through democratic processes in Armenia. The U.S. diplomat says they voiced concern about it both publicly and in private talks. With regard to those arrested for the events of March 1 and 2, the U.S. diplomat said there were people who behaved violently, stole, and the government must punish them. However, according to Pennington, people cannot be arrested for their political views, for participating in a march or for expressing their opinion.
