Armen Press
July 2, 2004

OFFICIAL BAKU DISCONTENTED WITH US CONGRESS
BAKU, JULY 2, ARMENPRESS: Azeri foreign ministry issued a statement
yesterday condemning a US decision to provide 5 mln dollar in
assistance to Nagorno Karabagh as part of its assistance to foreign
countries.
The statement says Azerbaijan is concerned that the money provided
by US Congress to Nagorno Karabagh could be used “to encourage
separatism, extremism and other illegal activity on the territory of
Azerbaijan.” It also says that the decision could affect the conflict
resolution.
A key subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives approved
last week equal U.S. military assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan,
calling for $5 million in military aid to each of the two countries.
The earlier version of the bill drafted by the administration of
President George W. Bush asked for $8 million to Azerbaijan and only $2
million to Armenia.