Cablegate: Sfrc Staffdel Takes in the Panoply of Us Assistance To

VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHYE #0711 1520341
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 010341Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY YEREVAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5701

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000711

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID OTRA AM
SUBJECT: SFRC STAFFDEL TAKES IN THE PANOPLY OF US ASSISTANCE TO
ARMENIA

REF: STATE 72561

1. (U) From May 22 to 26, SFRC stafdel Paul Foldi and Marik String
visited Armenia. After four days of briefings, meetings,
presentations and site visits, Foldi and String -- accompanied to
most meetings by just a driver and interpreter, per their request --
reported that they were pleased with what they saw with regards to
how USG assistance funding has been and is being used in Armenia.

2. (U) Foldi and String had a packed schedule that had them meet
with representatives of the nine assistance-related agencies at
post, discuss US Foreign Assistance with the Minister of Finance and
Economy (MFE) and visit nearly 20 implementers and project sites in
Yerevan and throughout northern Armenia. They also had a CDA-hosted
dinner with deputy ministers from the finance and energy ministries,
as well as other meetings with international donors, democracy
implementing organizations and the AmCham board. Foldi and String
made site visits to U.S. assistance activities at USAID health and
governance project locations, USDA agricultural sites, Armenia's
EXBS-enhanced border facilities and future MCC irrigation and road
projects.

3. (SBU) COMMENT: The staffdel visit was a good opportunity to show
what we have done with taxpayers' funds. Though, as we discovered
during their visit, the staffers' real intention was to study the
"F" process -- something that will only come to full fruition
beginning with the FY08 budget process -- Foldi and String seemed
impressed with the variety and scope of USG-sponsored assistance
programs in Armenia and their value for money.

4. (SBU) Unfortunately, reftel guidance cable did not reach us
until two days after the staffdel's departure. We wish we had
received this guidance in time to inform our management of the
staffdel's visit, but we believe that the visit was nonetheless
successful and fortuitously did not violate the proscriptions in
reftel. END COMMENT.

GODFREY

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