U.S. ‘Not Worried About Armenian-Iranian Ties’
Friday 3, February 2006
Armenia Liberty
[...]
{The US ambassador to the Republic of Armenia Mr.} Evans indicated that Washington understands Armenia’s desire to reduce its excessive dependence on Russia for energy resources which was highlighted by a recent disruption of Russian gas supplies to the region. He also argued that the ongoing Armenian-Iranian energy projects do not breach a U.S. law that calls for serious sanctions against any company investing in the Iranian energy sector.
[...]
“The key point is investment into the energy sector of Iran, and so far there has not been enough of that to cause a problem,” added Evans.
The multimillion-dollar projects envisage only Iranian investments in the Armenian energy sector that are due to total at least $200 million in the coming years. Yerevan has already borrowed $34 million from Tehran to finance the ongoing work on a gas pipeline from Iran. The Iranians have also pledged to invest $150 in completing the protracted construction of a big thermal power plant in the Armenian town of Hrazdan. Armenia is to repay both loans with supplies of electricity to its big Muslim neighbor.
[...]
Evans revealed that while not objecting to the current level of Armenian-Iranian cooperation, Washington is trying to hold the Armenian leaders in check. “I have more than once consulted with members of the [Armenian] government to be sure that they are watching this question so as not to bring the American legislation [against Iran] into effect,” the U.S. envoy said.
[...]
Armenia seems to be firmly on the fence in the dispute, with Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian calling last week for a “diplomatic” solution that would spare Iran international sanctions. Analysts believe that an overt confrontation between Western powers and the Islamic regime could seriously complicate Yerevan’s relations with Tehran.
[...]
Note: Above are excerpts from the article. The full article appears here. Clarifications and comments by me are contained in {}. Deletions are marked by [...]. The bold emphasis is mine.
Armenia Liberty
[...]
{The US ambassador to the Republic of Armenia Mr.} Evans indicated that Washington understands Armenia’s desire to reduce its excessive dependence on Russia for energy resources which was highlighted by a recent disruption of Russian gas supplies to the region. He also argued that the ongoing Armenian-Iranian energy projects do not breach a U.S. law that calls for serious sanctions against any company investing in the Iranian energy sector.
[...]
“The key point is investment into the energy sector of Iran, and so far there has not been enough of that to cause a problem,” added Evans.
The multimillion-dollar projects envisage only Iranian investments in the Armenian energy sector that are due to total at least $200 million in the coming years. Yerevan has already borrowed $34 million from Tehran to finance the ongoing work on a gas pipeline from Iran. The Iranians have also pledged to invest $150 in completing the protracted construction of a big thermal power plant in the Armenian town of Hrazdan. Armenia is to repay both loans with supplies of electricity to its big Muslim neighbor.
[...]
Evans revealed that while not objecting to the current level of Armenian-Iranian cooperation, Washington is trying to hold the Armenian leaders in check. “I have more than once consulted with members of the [Armenian] government to be sure that they are watching this question so as not to bring the American legislation [against Iran] into effect,” the U.S. envoy said.
[...]
Armenia seems to be firmly on the fence in the dispute, with Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian calling last week for a “diplomatic” solution that would spare Iran international sanctions. Analysts believe that an overt confrontation between Western powers and the Islamic regime could seriously complicate Yerevan’s relations with Tehran.
[...]
Note: Above are excerpts from the article. The full article appears here. Clarifications and comments by me are contained in {}. Deletions are marked by [...]. The bold emphasis is mine.
posted by Vahe Balabanian at 7:46 AM
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