armenpress: US AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES ARMENIAN PROJECTS WITH DIASPORA ORGANIZATIONS

&nbsp&nbsp YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS:
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Ordway met with over 40 representatives of the Armenian-American Diaspora community October 13-14 to discuss U.S. Government Assistance initiatives in Armenia during the Fall 2003 session of the “Ambassador’s Diaspora Roundtable” held in Chicago.

&nbsp&nbsp The meeting, co-hosted by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-Armenia Director Keith Simmons, featured presentations by U.S. Government agency representatives that sponsor on-going assistance projects in Armenia. Presentations by USAID, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Marketing Assistance Project (USDA-MAP), the Peace Corps and the Department of State outlined prospects for future collaboration with Diaspora organizations and the impact U.S. assistance is having on the lives of the Armenian people. Participants discussed the current political and economic situation in the region and the U.S. Embassy’s role in fostering a more democratic and prosperous Armenia.

&nbsp&nbsp The Ambassador invited participants based on their current involvement with assistance projects in
Armenia. The group represented a wide range of the Armenian-American community. Ambassador Ordway commented during his opening remarks on October 13 that Diasporan Armenians are “key partners in helping the U.S. accomplish its policy goals through effective assistance to the people of Armenia.”

&nbsp&nbsp U.S. Government direct assistance projects in Armenia represented a commitment of over 109 million dollars in FY 2002. U.S. agencies work in partnership with the Armenian government, non-government, private sector and Diaspora entities to ensure complementarity and maximum impact of U.S. assistance programs. U.S. Government Assistance programs in Armenia have three main goals: 1) strengthening democracy, 2) achieving economic reforms and 3) encouraging regional stability.