U.S. CONGRESSMEN: ARMENIA FOR HOLDING FREE AND FAIR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
PanARMENIAN.Net
23.05.2007 17:56 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 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.
Frank 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 Armenian Assembly of America reports.