AID AGENCY WILL NOT SUPPORT RAILROAD BYPASS

ArmRadio.am
30.05.2007 09:59

The Armenian Assembly of America commends Congressman Brad Sherman
(D-CA) for securing an assurance 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 US 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 US
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 US will not be
party to the flawed policies of Armenia’s neighbors."