LEGISLATIVE DRAFT AGAINST KARS-AKHALKALAKI-TBILISI RAILWAY

AZG Armenian Daily
31/03/2006

Senators Rick Santorum and Robert Menendez submitted a draft directed
against the construction of Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi railroad to the
US Senate.

The construction of the railroad costs about $800 million. According
to the Armenian Assembly of America, Rick Santorum said that the
policy of USA in the South Caucasus is aimed to maintain stability
and cooperation, as well as to contribute to opening of borders and
transport corridors. Thus, the project of the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi
railroad construction will not only hinder implementation of
the American long-term goals in the region but will also isolate
Armenia. The senator stated that the efforts taken to contribute to
economic integration of the region and reducing the tension are both in
the interest of the USA and the South Caucasus. While Robert Menendez,
the other author of the draft, stated that through this construction
project, Turkey and Azerbaijan aim to isolate Armenia in the future.