CONGRESSMAN URGING U.S. PRESIDENT ADMINISTRATION TO BALANCE MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 9 2006

YEREVAN, March 9. /ARKA/. Congressman Frank Pallone is urging U.S.
President Administration to balance military assistance to Armenia
and Azerbaijan. Armenian National Committee of America told ARKA News
Agency that the Congressman made this statement speaking Wednesday
in the U.S. House of Representatives. He intends to file motion to
the U.S. Senate’s appropriate committee asking to restore balance of
military assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan and proposing greater
economic assistance for Armenia and humanitarian aid for Nagorno
Karabakh.

Pallone thinks it is very important to state to Azerbaijan and Turkey
that ethnic genocide, illegal blockade of sovereign state and constant
aggression against Armenian people are unacceptable.

The U.S. President Administration intends to give $3.5mln to Armenia
and $4.5mln to Azerbaijan in 2006 fiscal year as military assistance.

Under this program $790 thousand and $885 thousand will be allotted
to Armenia and Azerbaijan for military trainings and exercises.

Turkey started transport and economic blockade of Armenia in 1992.