ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
Email: [email protected]
Website:
PRESS RELEASE
September 12, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Email: [email protected]
PALLONE AND RADANOVICH SEEK CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT
FOR POST-CONFLICT AID TO JAVAKHK AND ARMENIA
— Collecting Signatures on Congressional
Letter to President Bush
"The Armenian government provided safe transit
for U.S Embassy and other international diplomatic
officials, for hundreds of non-governmental
organization representatives, and for thousands of
Georgian nationals."
— Reps. Frank Pallone and George Radanovich
WASHINGTON, DC – In a bipartisan appeal, Representatives Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) and George Radanovich (R-CA) reached out today to
their Congressional colleagues to support targeting portions of the
proposed $1 billion post Georgia-Russia conflict aid package for
the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia and to help offset the
economic impact of the recent crisis on Armenia, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
In a September 12th Dear Colleague letter, the two legislators
explained to their fellow Representatives that Armenia, which
continues to be materially harmed by the fighting to its north, has
remained "a constructive partner to Georgia through ensuring safe
transit for humanitarian needs, reconstruction assistance, and
diplomatic measures." They also stressed the urgency of providing
funds specifically for Samtskhe-Javakheti, a chronically
underdeveloped region in Georgia, heavily populated by Armenians.
"We thank Representatives Pallone and Radanovich for their vision
and compassion in addressing the pressing humanitarian and
developmental needs, both in Georgia and in Armenia, created by the
recent fighting," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We
are hopeful that their colleagues will join with them in ensuring
that the United States lends a helping hand to the people of
Samtskhe-Javakheti and Armenia during this difficult time."
Representatives Pallone and Radanovich are currently urging their
colleagues to co-sign a Congressional letter to President Bush
suggesting that the Administration implement two specific policy
recommendations:
1) Ensuring that a meaningful level of the new Georgia aid program
is specifically targeted to the vital Samtskhe-Javakheti region.
This largely Armenian-inhabited area, home to roughly five percent
of Georgia’s overall population, remains, in great measure,
economically undeveloped. Of the $1 billion being proposed for
Georgia, a proportional share on a per capita basis, should be
officially dedicated to developmental programs in Samtskhe-
Javakheti, with a special focus on alleviating poverty, developing
transportation and communication links, promoting international
trade and investment, and supporting sustainable economic growth.
2) In light of Yerevan’s extensive assistance during this crisis
and also the large-scale harm it has endured as a result of the
fighting in the region, portions of the new Georgia assistance
package should be used to help offset the damage to Armenia’s
economy. This damage, estimated at between $680 and $1 billion,
has largely been the result of higher transportation costs,
increased prices for basic commodities such as food and fuel, and a
slow down in international investments.
The full text of the Congressional letter to President Bush is
provided below.
#####
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Bush:
We are writing to express our support for the vitally needed
financial assistance package that your Administration has proposed
in the aftermath of the recent crisis in Georgia, and to suggest
two concrete steps that we can take to help advance our national
interest in a strong, independent, pluralist, and democratic
Georgian state.
Our first recommendation is to ensure that a meaningful level of
this aid program is specifically targeted to the vital Samtshke-
Javakheti region. This largely Armenian-inhabited area, home to
roughly five percent of Georgia’s overall population, remains, in
great measure, economically undeveloped. Of the $1 billion
proposed for Georgia, a proportional share on a per capita basis –
should be officially dedicated to developmental programs in
Samtshke-Javakheti, with a special focus on alleviating poverty,
developing transportation and communication links, promoting
international trade and investment, and supporting sustainable
economic growth.
Our second recommendation is that, in light of Yerevan’s extensive
assistance during this crisis and also the large-scale economic
harm it has endured as a result of the fighting in the region, this
assistance package also be used to help offset the ongoing damage
to Armenia’s economy. As a country beset by twin blockades,
Armenia conducts the vast majority of its trade through Georgia.
Since the outbreak of the conflict between Russia and Georgia,
Armenia has experienced significantly higher transportation costs,
increased prices for basic commodities such as food and fuel, and a
slow down in international investments. This harm has been
estimated by senior Armenian government officials, including the
Prime Minister, Chairman of the National Security Council, and
Ambassador to the United States, at between $680 million and $1
billion. Targeted economic aid to Armenia, implemented in
coordination with the Armenian government, can pla! y a
particularly constructive role during this difficult time to assist
an important ally in the region.
As you know, Georgia has long been a partner and friend to
neighboring Armenia, which has, since the outbreak of hostilities,
played a vital role in seeking to restore peace and stability in
the region. The Armenian government provided safe transit for U.S
Embassy and other international diplomatic officials, for hundreds
of non-governmental organization representatives, and for thousands
of Georgian nationals. In addition, the Armenian government
provided human, material, and financial resources to help repair
key elements of Georgia’s damaged infrastructure.
Armenia plays an invaluable role and shares a common vision with
Georgia and the United States for regional stability in the
Caucasus. Despite many difficult challenges, Armenia has taken
steps to strengthen relationships with its neighbors. Earlier this
month, Armenian President Serzh Sargsian demonstrated this through
his historic invitation to Turkish President Abdullah Gul to come
watch their two nations play a qualifying match for the 2010 World
Cup. Given the obvious unrest in the area, it is vital that
Armenia be able to continue its role as an ally and stabilizing
force in the Caucasus.
Thank you for your consideration of our two recommendations. We
look forward to working with you regarding these suggestions and
would welcome the opportunity to meet with your Administration to
discuss them in greater detail.
Sincerely,