ANCA CALLS FOR ZEROING OUT MILITARY AID TO AZERBAIJAN IN TESTIMONY TO CONGRESSIONAL FOREIGN AID PANEL

armradio.am
25.03.2008 10:53

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) offered the Armenian
American community’s perspective on six key areas of U.S. foreign aid
policy in testimony submitted to House Appropriations Subcommittee
on State-Foreign Operations.

ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian outlined the
recommendations of the Armenian American community to the panel, which
is currently deliberating the Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09) foreign aid bill.

Nahapetian noted the critical role the United States has played in
assisting Armenia against aggression, dating back to the genocide.

She also outlined the threats Armenia faces today, and stressed the
need to cut all military aid to Azerbaijan, because of its recent
attacks against Nagorno Karabakh and increasing indications it plans
to renew its aggression against Armenians. In the worst cease-fire
violation in over a decade, Azerbaijan attacked Karabakh in early
March, claiming the lives of at least eight people.

"Clearly, Azerbaijan should not receive U.S. military aid as long
as it threatens to use, or in fact actually employs, its large and
growing arsenal in offensive actions against Armenians," explained
Nahapetian. "Sending military aid to Azerbaijan in the face of these
threats only emboldens Baku to continue its belligerence, while, at
the same time, threatening stability, and undermining the U.S. role
as an impartial mediator," continued Nahapetian.

The six key issues Nahapetian addressed in detail in her testimony
were:

1) Zeroing out of military aid to Azerbaijan: 2) $70 Million in
Economic Support Funds for Armenia 3) $10 million in direct development
aid to Nagorno Karabakh 4) Removing barriers to U.S. relations with
Nagorno Karabakh 5) $5 million in military assistance to Armenia 6)
Maintaining Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act