AMERICAN CONGRESSMAN COMMENDS ARMENIA ON FREE AND FAIR ELECTION
arminfo
2007-05-23 14:25:00
Speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday,
Rep. Frank Pallone, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues, commended Armenia for holding free and fair Parliamentary
election 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 to President Robert
Kocharian and Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan, marking Armenia’s
achievement.