YEREVAN, May 20 (Noyan Tapan). According to John Ordway, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the USA to Armenia, the efforts of Armenia to realize reforms will gain it the possibility to get additional assistance from the USA. Moreover, this will enlarge the possibilities of economic and democratic development of the population. This was announced at the press conference on May 20.
The Ambassador said that currently the US Congress is discussing the "Balance of the Key Problems of the Millenium" (BKPM) program suggested by George Bush. This is an assistance program for developing and third-level countries. Thus, the US President suggested to create a Commission headed by the US State Secretary. The Commission will make a choice among the counties, taking into consideration their general national income volume and many economic and other conditions. One of the choice criteria will be the concern of this or that country to establish control over corruption. Moreover, it is very important to create all the necessary conditions for free and fair elections and freedom of speech.
Mr. Orwdway said that the US are going to conduct a scrupulous study of the corruption level and steps undertaken to ensure free and fair elections and freedom of speech in Armenia, because this is to define if Armenia is going to be involver into the BKPM funds or not. The steps aimed at solution of these and many other problems will be taken into consideration. Mr. Ordway expressed hope that the BKMP draft, which is still being discussed, will start in 1-2 years.