Armenian Assembly of America
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Phone: 202-393-3434
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PRESS RELEASE
May 25, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: ckojoian@aaainc.org

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES SECURITY PARITY FOR ARMENIA
AND AZERBAIJAN

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly commended the full House
Appropriations Committee today for upholding its subcommittee’s
decision to reinstate U.S. policy to maintain military aid parity
between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The House Appropriations Committee agreed by voice vote to pass the
Fiscal Year 2007 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, thereby
signaling to Administration officials the necessity to maintain the
careful balance between the neighboring countries. The Bush
Administration, in its budget request to Congress earlier this year,
asked for $5.385 million in military aid for Baku versus only $4.29
million for Yerevan. Today’s vote would allocate $4.29 million in
military assistance to both countries.

Specifically, the Committee approved $3.5 million in Foreign Military
Financing (FMF) and $790,000 in International Military Education and
Training (IMET) funds for both Yerevan and Baku.

“I am pleased that the full Committee followed the lead of the Foreign
Operations Subcommittee to reinstate military assistance parity
between Armenia and Azerbaijan, said Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joseph
Knollenberg (R-MI).  “In addition, I look forward to working with my
colleagues as the appropriations process continues to ensure that
Armenia receives substantial economic assistance as well.” 

“Given the fact that relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan continue
to be tenuous, it is imperative that the U.S. maintain a balanced
approach,” said Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ). 
“Furthermore, I am pleased that the Committee called for a higher
allocation to Armenia than that requested by the Administration, but
like previous years we will work hard to secure more funding in
conference.”

“We thank Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis (R-CA) and
Ranking Member David Obey (D-WI) for supporting without changes the
provisions passed last week by the Foreign Operations Subcommittee
lead by Chairman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey
(D-NY),” said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “Given
Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockades of Armenia and Karabakh and its
periodic threats to renew military aggression, it is imperative that
Congress maintain parity in levels of military assistance provided to
Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Legislators also approved $62 million in economic aid to Armenia and
up to $5 million in humanitarian assistance for Nagorno Karabakh.
Specifically, the report language said, “The Committee continues to be
concerned about the plight of the victims of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, and recommends that up to $5,000,000 should be made
available to address ongoing humanitarian needs in Nagorno-Karabakh.”

The report language also emphasized the importance of confidence
building measures noting that “The Committee continues its strong
support for confidence-building measures among the parties to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.” Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh have
repeatedly offered to participate in confidence building measures only
to be rebuffed by Azerbaijan. Finally, Section 907 of the Freedom
Support Act remains unchanged.

During the House Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee
hearing in April, the Assembly submitted testimony for the record,
outlining the need for Congress to continue funding to Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh. Additionally, the Assembly supported a letter
initiated by Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ)
and Caucus Member Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA) and co-signed by 48
additional Members of Congress, highlighting important priorities for
Armenia and Karabakh.

The bill will be likely scheduled for a vote on the House floor in
June.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.

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NR#2006-052