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MCC Board of Directors Meets to Address U.S. Government Global Development Priorities Partial termination of assistance to Nicaragua announcedHold on funding for Armenia to remain in forceWashington D.C - The U.S. Government's Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Board of Directors, chaired by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, today held its quarterly meeting to discuss the progress of its poverty reduction programs worldwide. The Board received updates on engagement with those countries seeking MCC funding, including Moldova, Senegal, Jordan, Malawi, and the Philippines. Board discussions also included the compact development process for Colombia, Indonesia, and Zambia - three new countries selected by the Board last December as eligible for MCC compact assistance. The Board reviewed how MCC investments and programs around the world are helping address priority issues such as long-term economic growth, global food security, maternal and child health and safety, transportation infrastructure improvements, secure land tenure, and environmental protection."MCC's commitment to performance-based foreign assistance is at the forefront of the U.S. Government's 'smart power' approach to create economic growth. Today's Board meeting makes it clear that these programs are having a significant, positive impact on the lives of the world's poor," said Acting MCC Chief Executive Officer Rodney Bent.The Board approved action to partially terminate MCC's compact assistance to Nicaragua for activities previously suspended in December 2008. These activities include a property regularization project and a major road. The Board reiterated that its commitment to helping the people of Nicaragua reduce poverty through economic growth will continue through MCC assistance for a rural business development project benefiting small and medium agriculture-related enterprises, including some 30,000 people in rural areas. MCC also will complete three roads already under construction in the departments of León and Chinandega. The termination will result in a reduction of approximately $62 million from Nicaragua's original $175 million compact with MCC."Although the Board would like to continue in full MCC's support for Nicaragua's economic development, we remain committed to upholding MCC's founding principles of working with those countries whose governments actively demonstrate a commitment to democracy and the rule of law, as well as economic freedom and social investment," said Mr. Bent. "Given the lack of meaningful reforms or progress in these areas by the government of Nicaragua, the Board has agreed to terminate these projects." "This decision is made with deep disappointment, as our partnership with Nicaragua has yielded tremendous progress over the past years in reducing poverty through innovative economic growth projects. MCC regrets that the government of Nicaragua has not taken steps to respond to concerns expressed by its people and the international community surrounding the recent municipal elections. This has made it impossible for us to fully continue our collaboration with the government of Nicaragua," stated Mr. Bent.The Board also addressed the future of MCC engagement with Armenia. As a result of the meeting, MCC will not resume funding for any further road construction and rehabilitation. This hold on funding is a result of actions by the government of Armenia that are inconsistent with MCC principles promoting democratic governance. MCC's Board unanimously expressed regret that this action means that MCC will not be able to fully fund this project during the compact term. "MCC regrets that it cannot move forward with funding road construction in Armenia," Mr. Bent said. "The responsibility for this outcome remains with the government of Armenia, whose actions have been inconsistent with the eligibility criteria that are at the heart of the MCC program. It is particularly disappointing that MCC will not be able to partner with Armenia on completing the roads that will benefit Armenia's rural poor who are our friends and partners in creating growth for the future," continued Mr. Bent. "I do not anticipate that the Board will revisit this issue in the future."

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Headlines for June 15, 2009

WHO IS TO ANSWER?
MCC Board of Directors Meets to Address U.S. Government Global Development Priorities Partial termination of assistance to Nicaragua announcedHold on funding for Armenia to remain in forceWashington D.C ...
THEY CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Human Rights House Foundation, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, the Norwegian Tibet Committee, the Polish Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Human Rights House of Sarajevo, Human Rights Centre ...
WILL BRYZA BE APPOINTED U.S. AMBASSADOR?
OSCE Minsk group U.S. Co-Chair Mattew Bryza was reccomended as U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan, report Azerbaijani mass media citing Foriegn Policy magazine. According ...
U.S. EMBASSY APPEALED TO THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
Although the Yerevan municipal election is already a past event and Gagik Beglaryan has sworn in as Yerevan Mayor, people still protest against the election results. The Armenian National Congress (HAK) ...
WILL MARCH 1 BE FORGOTTEN?
Leader of the New Times Party (NZhK) Aram Karapetyan thinks highly of an amnesty. But he says it shouldn't be viewed in a political context. "From the legal point of view amnesty can be viewed in a political ...
RELEASED DETAINEES WILL NOT THANK SERZH SARGSYAN
Republican Rafik Petrosyan thinks Serzh Sargsyan will likely declare an amnesty on July 5 - on the Day of the Armenian Constitution. "In the given situation amnesty is an imperative although there is ...
"THIS LUDICROUS STORY HAS NO PRECEDENT"
"This ludicrous story has no precedent," NA MP Miasnik Malkhasyan charged under the last year's post-election unrest said on June 15. Miasnik Malkhasyan considers the case as groundless and preposterous ...
SARGSYAN WISHED FRUITFUL ACTIVITY
President Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory message to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the latter's re-election as President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The message says in part: "On behalf of the people ...
GAS FLOW TO BE SUSPENDED
Gas flow to Armenia will be suspended for six days. Georgia's Gas Transportation Company has officially informed ArmRusGasArd about the suspension of gas supply. From June 16 to 21 the Georgian Company ...
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
A traffic accident was reported today in Gyumri's Gharibjanyan Street. After colliding with a GAZ 53 water carrier a VAZ 21 06 damaged the nearby filling station. The driver of the VAZ 21 06, Sashik ...
BURNT BODY FOUND IN GYUMRI
A Gyumri citizen found a burnt body of a middle-aged man near the Engineering College at about 8p.m., June 13. She immediately informed the local police station. On arriving on the scene law-enforcers ...
NO PRIZE HOLDER FROM ARMENIA
The "Maia Chiburdanidze Cup" (International Open Women Chess Tournament) ended in Tbilisi. Lilit Galoyan stood out among Armenian chess players taking the seventh place with 6.5 points. Bella ...