U.S. had no reason to impose sanctions on Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Commenting on disclosure of a classified document of the U.S. Department of State on imposition of U.S. sanctions on Armenia allegedly for sale of weapons to Iran, ARF Dashnaktsutyun Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office director Kiro Manoyan said that there were no grounds for imposition of U.S. sanctions on Armenia.

“Judging from the disclosed letter sent to the Armenian government in December 2008, the U.S. aimed to warn Yerevan against possible sale of weapons to Iran in future. The letter, most likely, was a warning of Washington,” Manoyan said, adding that Armenia has officially refuted information on sale of weapons to Tehran.

Asked whether the letter will affect the Armenian-Iranian relations, Manoyan said that Washington is concerned over the economic cooperation between Yerevan and Tehran, as the U.S. wants complete isolation of Iran.

According to Manoyan, the economic cooperation between Armenia and Iran does not envisage imposition of U.S. sanctions on Armenia.

A secret cable citing the text of a letter from U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte to the Armenian President expressed concern about the reported sale of weapons to Iran, stating "Notwithstanding the close relationship between our countries, neither the Administration nor the U.S. Congress can overlook this case."

According to Wikileaks website, which made public over more than 250,000 U.S diplomatic cables, the letter went on to note that there would be consideration "whether there is a basis for the imposition of U.S. sanctions."