HOUSE APPROVES $58.5 MILLION FOR ARMENIA AND REINSTATES MILITARY PARITY

armradio.am
19.12.2007 10:25

The House of Representatives last night approved the Fiscal Year (FY)
2008 Omnibus Spending Bill, reinstating military aid parity to Armenia
and Azerbaijan by allocating $3 million in Foreign Military Financing
(FMF) to both countries. Despite Azerbaijan’s continued war rhetoric
throughout the year and exponential increase of its military budget,
the Administration had proposed to provide Baku with $2 million more
in military assistance (FMF and International Military Education
Training).

The Omnibus spending package, which combines 11 of the 12 annual
appropriations bills into one measure, provides some $516 billion in
federal funding, including $58.5 million in assistance to Armenia,
an increase of $23.5 million over the Administration’s proposal,
but less than the nearly $75 million approved in FY 2007. Armenia’s
neighbors, Azerbaijan and Georgia, are slated to receive $19 million
and $50.5 million respectively.

"The final number for Armenia represents a compromise between the
House and Senate funding levels approved earlier this year- $68
million and $39 million respectively," stated Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny. "We appreciate the efforts of Subcommittee Chairwoman
Nita Lowey, (D-NY) and her colleagues with respect to the provisions
regarding Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. We must ensure that despite
a reduction in assistance that Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh have the
necessary resources to continue their progress in strengthening their
democratic institutions," continued Ardouny.

The bill also includes renewed funding confidence building measures for
the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: ".funds made available
for the Southern Caucasus region may be used, notwithstanding any other
provision of law, for confidence-building measures and other activities
in furtherance of the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts,
especially those in the vicinity of Abkhazia and Nagorno-Karabakh."

In addition, the final measure provides continued funding for the
Millennium Challenge Account program (MCA), although reduced from $1.8
billion to $1.5 billion. Armenia, based on its record of performance in
key indicators, is a recipient of MCA with a five-year $235.65 million
compact to reduce rural poverty and increase agricultural productivity.

The agreement on the Omnibus Bill was reached late last week
and finalized over the weekend. The Senate is expected to begin
consideration of the bill today. Once passed by both chambers, the
bill will be sent to President Bush for his expected signature.