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U.S. Threatens Armenia With Direct Sanctions

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  • U.S. Threatens Armenia With Direct Sanctions

    U.S. Threatens Armenia With Direct Sanctions

    Naira Hayrumyan, Political Commentator
    Comments - 31 July 2014, 17:57



    The U.S. embassy has warned Armenia about threats of cooperation with
    Russian companies which have undergone U.S. sanctions. The list of
    sanctions includes at least several banks, as well as Rosneft with
    which Armenia is cooperating closely. What threats are meant? It has
    been a few years the United States keeps Iran under sanctions but
    Armenia cooperates with this country without being overridden by
    American sanctions. It is true that there were problems with the
    Iranian Mellat Bank in Armenia through which, according to the
    Americans, suspicious transactions were made. Later, however, the
    problems were resolved.

    In fact, the United States warns that direct sanctions may be imposed
    on Armenia. Yesterday, apparently with this purpose, Prime Minister
    Hovik Abrahamyan was visited by the U.S. Ambassador Heffern and USAID
    Country Director Hilliard. They may have warned the Armenian prime
    minister to refrain from new deals with Rosneft.

    Direct sanctions by the United States may produce tangible
    consequences for Armenia unlike sanctions imposed on Russia which may
    not affect Armenia. Too close relations with Russia are already
    indirectly experienced by Armenia. For example, the U.S. Congress has
    passed the Russian Aggression Prevention Act which envisages a status
    of a U.S. partner for Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, as well as
    military assistance to a number of countries, including Azerbaijan.
    Armenia is not found on this list.

    It is not difficult to guess what this means. Armenia now has to work
    hard to avoid U.S. sanctions and not to be identified with Russia.
    Hardly anyone in Armenia likes the fact that Russia is the target of
    the world but Armenia has no reason to sacrifice itself out of
    faithfulness to Russia.

    Direct U.S. sanctions against Armenia may eventually kill the Armenian
    economy and social structure. The Armenian authorities are facing a
    difficult choice but this situation gradually stops being a choice so
    only one way is left not to die.


    - See more at: http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/32797#sthash.tziAdqdK.dpuf

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