Armenian Assembly of America
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Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
ASSEMBLY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MEETS WITH PRESIDENT KOCHARIAN, AMB. EVANS
DURING OFFICIAL VISIT TO ARMENIA
Washington, DC – Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny
participated in a series of meetings with U.S., Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh government officials, July 1-7, to assess and discuss the
U.S.-Armenia/ U.S.-Karabakh relationships and exchange perspectives
on a wide range of regional and bilateral issues.
During the course of the week-long visit, Ardouny and Country
Director for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh Arpi Vartanian met with
several high-level officials, including President Robert Kocharian and
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John M. Evans. The meetings were part of
the Assembly’s long-standing practice of exchanging views with Armenian
and Karabakh officials, as well as U.S. officials. Among the critical
issues discussed were – U.S. economic and humanitarian assistance,
the Nagorno Karabakh peace process, the Millennium Challenge Account
Armenia Program, the upcoming elections, and barriers to Armenia’s
regional and economic integration.
Beginning on July 4, Ardouny met with President Kocharian to
review Assembly activities in Washington, including efforts to
seek continued robust assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh
for Fiscal Year 2007. Ardouny reiterated the Assembly’s commitment
to maintain assistance levels following recent action by the full
Senate Appropriations Committee to cut Armenia’s overall funding to
$58 million. He added, however, that the Committee voted to maintain
military assistance parity ($4.29 million) between Armenia and
Azerbaijan – a key legislative priority for the Assembly.
Ardouny also discussed the status of an Assembly-backed bill
that would prohibit U.S. funding for a proposed railway that would
connect Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey while bypassing Armenia. House
resolution 3361, and its Senate counterpart S.2461, would prevent the
U.S. from facilitating the construction of the rail line which seeks
to isolate Armenia by enhancing the ongoing Turkish and Azerbaijani
blockades.
Last month, the House Financial Services Committee voted that no
Export-Import funding would be used for the proposed rail link
project. More recently, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Nominee Richard
E. Hoagland testified during his Senate confirmation hearing that it
would make economic sense to rehabilitate the existing rail line which
traverses Armenia, adding that the U.S. supports regional cooperation
and economic integration. Armenian government officials have repeatedly
said that a new railway is unnecessary given that a railroad linking
Armenia, Georgia and Turkey already exists and could be operational
within weeks, for a fraction of the cost.
Ardouny, who traveled to Stepanakert in 1998 and again in 2001, also
discussed the recent developments regarding the Nagorno Karabakh
peace process.
"Our meetings in Yerevan were extremely productive and I look forward
to similar exchanges in the future," said Ardouny. "The Assembly will
continue its efforts to support a secure, prosperous and democratic
Armenia. As to the peace process, it is critical that the security and
rights of the people of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh are protected."
Ardouny also met with Ambassador John M. Evans on July 5 and discussed
a range of bilateral issues including the Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC) compact – a U.S. financial assistance program. In
March, the U.S.-Armenia relationship took a major step forward
when the countries signed a five-year $235 million compact aimed at
reducing rural poverty and increasing agricultural productivity in
Armenia. Evans, who traveled to Washington for the historic signing,
also addressed the Assembly’s pan-Armenian Advocacy Conference where
he stressed that Armenia must do more to foster democratic reform in
order to remain eligible for MCC funding.
Ardouny also discussed aspects of the MCC grant program with Alex
Russin, the newly-appointed Millennium Challenge Corporation Resident
Country Director. On July 7, Ardouny and Vartanian, together with
Board of Trustees Member Van Krikorian, attended a reception at the
U.S. Embassy celebrating U.S. Independence Day.
In addition to his meetings with President Kocharian and Ambassador
Evans, Ardouny also met with Armenia’s National Assembly Speaker Tigran
Torosyan, Prime Minister Andranik Markarian, Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian, Defense Minister Serge Sargsian, Transport and Communication
Minister Andranik Manukyan, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy
Davit Avetissyan and NKR Representative in Armenia Karlen Avetissian.
Oskanian previously met with Assembly leaders in March, during an
official trip to the U.S. for the signing of the MCC compact. During
his visit, Oskanian participated in the Assembly’s National Conference
and Banquet in Washington, DC.
Before departing for the U.S., Ardouny also met with Assembly summer
interns during an event hosted by Board of Trustees Treasurer Edele
Hovnanian. He also visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial and laid
flowers at the Eternal Flame in honor of the victims of the 1915
genocide.
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.
### NR#2006-065
Photographs available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:
/2006-065-1.JPG
Caption: Armenia President Robert Kocharian, right, with Assembly
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny at the Presidential Palace in Yerevan.
065/2006-065-2.JPG
Caption: Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, left, with Armenia’s
National Assembly Speaker Tigran Torosyan at the National Assembly
of the Republic of Armenia on July 6.
06-065-3.JPG
Caption: Armenia’s Defense Minister Serge Sargsian flanked by Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny and Arpi Vartanian, Country Director for
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
-065/2006-065-4.JPG
Caption: Armenia’s Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, right, met with
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny on July 4.
06-065-5.JPG
Caption: On July 2, Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, center, met with
Assembly summer interns during an event hosted by Board of Trustees
Treasurer Edele Hovnanian, far left.