HOUSE REBUFFS U.S. FINANCING FOR CAUCASUS RAILWAY
The Associated Press

International Herald Tribune, France
Dec 6 2006

WASHINGTON: The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved an
amendment to bar the U.S. Export-Import bank from financing a railway
corridor that links Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan.

Rep. Joseph Crowley, a Democrat, said the 258-kilometer project did
not warrant U.S. support because it bypasses Armenia and effectively
continues "an illegal economic blockade against the Caucasus nation."

As designed, the project is "an effort to hurt the Armenian people
and can only result in greater regional instability," Crowley said.

He credited Armenia with having "made great strides in democratic and
economic reforms in spite of its neighbors’ demonstrated hostility."

The amendment was approved without opposition.

A press release issued by Crowley’s office predicted Senate passage
of a simlar amendment. It said the amendment is expected to become
law before the end of the month.