Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: info@aaainc.org
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
May 29, 2007
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: ckojoian@aaainc.org
RE: AID AGENCY WILL NOT SUPPORT RAILROAD BYPASS
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America commends Congressman
Brad Sherman (D-CA) for securing an assurance on May 25 from the
Oversees Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) that the agency would not
support a proposed railroad linking Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan while
bypassing Armenia. OPIC helps U.S. businesses invest overseas.
"It is important that OPIC not repeat the mistake of the
Baku-Tiblisi-Cheyan pipeline," Sherman said in a press statement.
"Taxpayer funds should not go for projects that deliberately seek to
isolate a friend of the United States, and I appreciate the commitment
not to get involved in the railroad project."
The proposed railway, estimated to cost upwards of $600 million,
excludes Armenia from economic and regional transportation corridors.
Armenian government officials have repeatedly said that a new costly
railway is unnecessary given that a railroad linking Armenia, Georgia
and Turkey already exists.
Last June, the House Financial Services Committee unanimously approved a
provision sponsored by Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY), along with
Sherman and Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), prohibiting the Export-Import Bank
from supporting the rail link project. That provision was adopted and is
now a law.
"The Assembly thanks Congressman Sherman for his leadership on this
issue," said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "The proposed project,
sponsored by the Turkish and Azeri governments, runs counter to U.S.
policy goals which seek to foster regional cooperation and economic
integration, and includes open borders and transport and communication
corridors. OPIC’s assurance helps ensure that the U.S. will not be
party to the flawed policies of Armenia’s neighbors."
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.
###
NR#2007-064
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress