U.S. TO PROVIDE EQUAL ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES IN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
Aug. 22, 2006

In the 2006 fiscal year the amount of the U.S. State Department’s
financial assistance for the implementation of humanitarian programs
in Azerbaijan will remain the same as it was in 2005.

The U.S. Embassy oversees the distribution of money for humanitarian
aid to Umcor, Counterpart and IRD, who implement humanitarian projects,
the U.S. State Department’s Director of Humanitarian Programs in Europe
and Asia Jerry Oberndorfer said, but did not mention concrete figures.

The United States’ assistance to refugees in Armenia and Azerbaijan is
nearly equal. Being asked why this is so, when there are more refugees
in Azerbaijan, Oberndorfer, said it is necessary to maintain balance.