USA TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL AID TO ARMENIA CONDITIONED BY GEORGIA-RUSSIA CONFLICT

Noyan Tapan

Se p 11, 2008

WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 11, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. On September
9 hearings were held in the House Foreign Affairs Committee under
the title "The USA-Russia Relations after the Crisis of Georgia". As
Armenian Assembly of America reports, during the question and answer
with Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried Brad Sherman, chairman of
the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade referring
to September 3 article publicized by Radio Liberty under the title
"Armenia Has Suffered Tremendously as a Result of the Crisis in
Georgia", asked if the Administration plans on providing additional
aid to Armenia.

Fried answered that Armania has already been provided with an aid
of large amount, admitting at the same time that the crisis has had
an impact on Armenia. Sherman added that, according to preliminary
calculations, this conflict has damaged Armenia’s economy to the tune
of 0 million and repeated the question whether additional aid will
be provided to Armenia. Fried answered that additional aid will be
provided but as to the amount, he should clarify the figure.

The House Appropriations Committee should review the aid package, on
which the Armenian Assembly of America sent a letter to the members
of Congress last week, pointing out the impact of the crisis not only
on Georgia but also on Armenia.

The letter of the Assembly says, "Armenia is a country having no sea
borders which has been subject to dual blockades by neighbouring
countries, Turkey and Azerbaijan, and has to be oriented to the
north-south axis on issues of trade and cargo transportation. As such,
the bombings of Georgia’s ports and the damaging of railways have
caused difficulties not only for Georgia but also for the Armenian
people, which is particularly notable in the lack of fuel."

Sherman said in his speech, "I am strongly concerned that the
Administration failed to take into account the impact that this latest
crisis had on our ally Armenia. We should secure that Armenia is also
included in any aid package."