HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF USA AFFIRMED POLICY OF REGIONAL
COOPERATION AND REJECTED ATTEMPTS TO ISOLATE ARMENIA

Yerevan, July 26. ArmInfo. The House of Representatives today voted
to help ensure that U.S. regional cooperation and economic integration
is maintained by making certain that no Export-Import funding is used
for a railroad project sponsored by the Turkish and Azeri governments
that seeks to exclude Armenia from economic and regional transportation
opportunities.

As ArmInfo was told today in the Armenian Assembly of America, the
lawmakers approved H.R. 5068, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization
Act of 2006, which included an amendment by Congressman Joseph Crowley
(D-NY), along with Congressmen Edward Royce (R-CA) and Brad Sherman
(D-CA), ensuring that taxpayer dollars will not be spent on efforts
that would isolate Armenia – which is already facing dual blockades
by Turkey and Azerbaijan.

The source reminds that the amendment, which was unanimously approved
by the House Financial Services Committee last month, states that "The
Bank shall not guarantee, insure, extend credit, or participate in an
extension of credit in connection with the development or promotion
of any rail connections or railway-related connections that do not
traverse or connect with Armenia, and do traverse or connect Baku,
Azerbaijan, Tbilisi, Georgia, and Kars, Turkey."

In a statement submitted for the House record, Crowley said: "This
language will assist in promoting stability in the Caucasus region,
help in ending long standing conflicts, and save U.S. taxpayers
the responsibility of funding a project that goes against U.S.
interests." Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), who spoke in favor
of H.R. 5068 on the House floor, said: "I support the provisions which
would prohibit the Export-Import Bank from funding railroad projects
in the South Caucasus region that deliberately exclude Armenia."