REP. PALLONE COMMENDS ARMENIA ON FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS
armradio.am
23.05.2007 11:20
Speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives, 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, the Armenian Assembly of America reports.
"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 US-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 US 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 Kocharyan and Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan, marking Armenia’s
achievement.
"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," Pallone
concluded.