U.S. CONGRESSMEN TO CONSIDER ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE PACKAGE TO ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.09.2008 15:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard
Berman (D-CA), today, thanked Armenia for providing safe transit for
U.S. officials during the recent Georgia conflict, during Committee
consideration of a $470 million post-conflict assistance package
to Georgia, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) told
PanARMENIAN.Net.

Noting the "ripple effects" of the crisis beyond Georgia’s borders
and the absence of Armenia in the bill, Chairman Berman pledged
consideration of additional assistance to Armenia next year. He stated,
in his opening remarks, that, "I note that the ripple effects of this
crisis were clearly felt beyond Georgia’s borders. The United States
is grateful to the Armenian Government for providing safe transit
for American and international officials, relatives of diplomats
and NGO representatives and Georgia nationals. Although this bill
does not include funding for other countries in the Caucasus region,
it is my intention, when we consider the authorization of assistance
next year, to examine the wider impact of this conflict and provide
appropriate funding for Armenia and other affected countries."

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), an outspoken supporter of post-conflict
aid to Armenia and Javakhk, expressed reservations about language
in the bill, which may support the construction of a new pipeline
bypassing Armenia.

"We see that there are pipelines in Georgia," stated Rep. Sherman. "Why
are there pipelines in Georgia? Because we funded an anti-Armenia
pipeline that violates the rules of geometry – that does not use a
straight line – but rather goes around Armenia in order to benefit
those who are trying to isolate Armenia and now there is talk in this
resolution of a new pipeline – again one designed to avoid going
through Armenia territory, avoid building a peace pipeline between
Azerbaijan and Armenia."

Rep. Sherman expressed regret that assistance to Armenia was not
included in this initial $470 million allocation and pledged his
support for future consideration. The Committee adopted the measure
with a vote of 24 to 9. The remaining $530 million will be discussed
in appropriations next year.

"We commend Chairman Berman and Rep. Sherman for highlighting
Armenia’s large scale economic losses as a result of the Georgia
conflict," stated ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "While we
had hoped that assistance to Armenia and Javakhk would be included in
this first aid package to Georgia, we will continue to work with the
Foreign Affairs and Appropriations committees to ensure that these
funds are included in future assistance packages."

The Armenian government’s post-conflict contributions have been in four
key areas: 1) Safe transit for U.S. and international officials and
relatives of diplomats, NGO representatives, and Georgian nationals;
2) reconstruction assistance for damaged Georgian infrastructure;
3) regional dialogue toward peace and stability, and; 4) alleviating
the humanitarian burden on the Georgian government.