The price of aid

Bakutoday is reporting that the US administration is pressuring Armenia for political reform in return for more aid. This extra aid is available under its poverty reduction program.

So, we those countries that want extra aid to help relieve poverty will need political freedoms, human rights, etc. But those countries that don't want to introduce any political reforms probably aren't interested in relieving poverty either.

It'll be interesting to see what Kocharyan's reaction to this, coming as it does in the middle of the opposition's efforts to induce reform.

"Experience has shown us that the way a government treats its people and the environment that is created for political participation is intricately connected with economic success," Pascual argued. He noted that while Armenia ranks high in the MCA indicators of economic reform and market liberalization, its government's record on "political rights and civil liberties" leaves much to be desired.

Read the full article at Bakutoday.

Posted by Matt on May 20, 2004 | TrackBack | Email to a friend