AMERICAN CONGRESSMAN COMMENDS ARMENIA FOR HOLDING FREE, FAIR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Arka News Agency, Armenia
May 23 2007

YEREVAN, May 23. /ARKA/. American congressman, Co-Chair of the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Frank Pallone 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," reported the Armenian Assembly of
America referring to the congressman.

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.

On June 29 2006 the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Appropriations
approved the $58mln financial assistance to Armenia for the 2007 fiscal
years, which is $17mln less against the 2006 fiscal year. The committee
also approved the appropriation of $5mln as humanitarian assistance
to Nagorno- Karabakh, which is $2mln more than the amount of 2006.

Under the Millennium Challenges Corporation program, the Armenian
Government is to receive $235mln during five years for poverty
reduction and development of rural infrastructures.

The May 12 Parliamentary elections in Armenia received, on the whole,
positive assessment of the international observers.