BIPARTISAN GROUP OF U.S. REPRESENTATIVES CALL FOR POST-CONFLICT AID TO JAVAKHK AND ARMENIA
armradio.am
20.09.2008 12:14
Twenty Members of the U.S. House of Representatives joined with
Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and George Radanovich (R-CA)
in formally calling upon President Bush to dedicate portions of
the proposed $1 billion post Georgia- Russia conflict aid package
to meeting economic development needs in Samtskhe-Javakhk region of
Georgia and to helping to offset the economic impact of the recent
crisis on Armenia, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).
The signatories of the letter included two key members of the House
panel that writes the foreign aid bill, Adam Schiff (D-CA) and
Steve Rothman (D-NJ); the Chairman of the House Republican Policy
Committee, Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI); as well as the chamber’s two
members of Armenian heritage, Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Jackie Speier
(D-CA). Also signing the letter were the Chairman of the Financial
Services Committee, Barney Frank (D-MA), the Co-Chairman of the Human
Rights Caucus, Jim McGovern (D-MA), and Jim Costa (D-CA), Chaka Fattah
(D-PA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Mike Honda (D-CA), Patrick Kennedy
(D-RI), James Langevin (D-RI), Stephen Lynch (D- MA), Carolyn Maloney
(D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), Michael McNulty (D- NY), Grace Napolitano
(D-CA), Donald Payne (D-NJ), and Colin Peterson (D-MN).
In a September 12th Dear Colleague letter, Reps. Radanovich and
P allone 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-Javakhk, a chronically underdeveloped region in Georgia,
heavily populated by Armenians.
"Armenians Americans – from Fresno, New Jersey and around the nation
– thank Representatives Pallone and Radanovich and all those who
added their names to this worthwhile effort to address the pressing
post-conflict humanitarian and developmental needs in Georgia and in
Armenia," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We look forward
to working with these legislators and our other friends on Capitol
Hill to reach out to these populations during their time of need."
The Congressional letter suggests 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-Javakhk
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 in20Samtskhe-Javakhk, 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.