AID AGENCY WILL NOT SUPPORT RAILROAD BYPASS
Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
15-06-2007
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America commends
Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) for securing an assurance on
May 25 from the Overseas 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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress