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PRESS RELEASE
May 22, 2007
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: ckojoian@aaainc.org

RE: Rep. Pallone Commends Armenia on Free and Fair Elections

Washington, DC – Speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives
yesterday, Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Co-Chair of the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, commended Armenia for holding
free and fair Parliamentary elections on May 12.

"This is the first positive assessment of an election in the former
Soviet Republic since it gained independence in 1991," Pallone said.
"This encouraging outcome will most certainly enhance and deepen
U.S.-Armenia relations, while also elevating Armenia’s reputation
regionally and internationally."

Pallone noted that Armenia’s achievements address concerns raised by
the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and urged the MCC to fully fund
its five-year $235 million Compact with Armenia.

He also renewed his call for $75 million in economic assistance to
Armenia in Fiscal Year 2008. "This assistance demonstrates our
commitment to Armenia, which is a friend and a supporter of
U.S. policies for peace and security in that part of the world," he
said.

Pallone also entered into the congressional record a letter he sent
with Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) to President Robert
Kocharian and Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan, marking Armenia’s
achievement.

The full text of Rep. Pallone’s statement on Armenia’s elections is
attached below.

ARMENIA PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
(House of Representatives – May 21, 2007)

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the people of Armenia on the May
12 Parliamentary elections. This is the first positive assessment of
an election in the former Soviet Republic since it gained independence
in 1991. This encouraging outcome will most certainly enhance and
deepen U.S./Armenia relations, while also elevating Armenia’s
reputation regionally and internationally.

Over the past few months, U.S. administration officials in Washington
and Yerevan have stressed the importance of these elections and
explained that substantial improvement must be made. Based on public
preliminary reports, Armenia has fulfilled the test set forth by the
administration and received a free and fair stamp of approval.

The International Election Observation Mission issued a statement
which read, in part, and I quote, “The election is assessed in line
with OSCE and Council of Europe commitments, other international
standards for democratic elections and national legislation.”

I’m especially pleased that the U.S. Embassy in Armenia joined the
chorus of praise with its own assessment which reads, and again I
quote, “We share the satisfaction of international observers that the
election infrastructure, both legal and technical, has been greatly
improved.”

Mr. Speaker, I join in sharing the pride of our embassy and the
contributions we have helped make in advancing the course of democracy
and the rule of law in Armenia . These results are the best evidence
to date that our assistance to this fledgling Republic is indeed
serving its intended purpose. Our shared values and the strong bonds
between the United States and Armenia will no doubt continue to
expand. In doing so, we will continue to foster democracy in Armenia
and work towards stability in the South Caucus region.

Earlier this year, dozens of my colleagues joined me in sending a
letter to the chairman of the House State, Foreign Operations
Appropriations Subcommittee calling for $75 million in assistance for
Armenia in fiscal year 2008. As the appropriation process continues,
I’d like to remind my colleagues of this request and renew it again
today. This assistance demonstrates our commitment to Armenia , which
is a friend and a supporter of U.S. policies for peace and security in
that part of the world.

Armenia’s achievement also addresses concerns expressed by the
Millennium Challenge Corporation with respect to these
elections. Armenia has met the necessary threshold, and I’m confident
that the people and the Government of Armenia will only continue to
improve upon their accomplishments in achieving the standards and
norms of a democratic society. And accordingly, I urge the MCC to
fully fund its compact with Armenia in an expeditious manner.

These elections are an historic step towards a fully democratic
Armenia, a goal to which the nation has demonstrated its commitment
and leadership in the region through democratic reform. I congratulate
the people of Armenia for this remarkable accomplishment.

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The Armenian Assembly 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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