REPS. PALLONE AND KIRK CALL FOR INCREASED ASSISTANCE TO ARMENIA AND KARABAKH
armradio.am
25.03.2009 11:52
With Congressional appropriators in the early stages of crafting
the Fiscal Year 2010 foreign aid bill, Congressional Armenian Caucus
Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) urged their House
colleagues to join with them in backing the inclusion of a series of
provisions aimed at strengthening U.S. ties to Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh, and bolstering the prospects for regional peace, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.)
"We commend the leadership of Representatives Pallone and Kirk in
ensuring that the foreign aid bill reflects America’s support for
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh and furthers our nation’s efforts to
ensure a fair and lasting peace in the Caucasus region," stated
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We look forward to working
toward the adoption of the vital foreign aid priorities outlined in
the letter sent today by the Armenian Caucus Co- Chairs."
In a March 24th "Dear Colleague" letter, Members of Congress were
encouraged to co-sign a letter to Foreign Operations Subcommittee
Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), a longstanding supporter of the U.S.-
Armenia relationship, and Ranking Republican Kay Granger (R-TX). The
letter cited six key foreign aid priorities, including:
– Enhancing restrictions on U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan, as outlined
in Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, by further limiting
Presidential authority to waive the provision in light of continued
Azerbaijani government incitement of a military solution of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict.
– Increasing economic assistance to Armenia from the FY2009 level of
$48 million to $70 million.
– Increasing military assistance to Armenia from FY2009 level of $3.3
million to $5 million.
– Increasing the amount and scope of U.S. assistance to Nagorno
Karabakh from the FY2009 level of $8 million in humanitarian aid to
$10 million in both humanitarian and developmental assistance.
– Including language "urging Azerbaijan to support confidence- building
measures that facilitate interaction among the parties, in order
to address regional security, resource management, infrastructure,
development and people to people programs."
– Removing restrictions on travel, contacts, and the free exchange of
ideas between U.S. officials and the democratically elected leaders
of Nagorno Karabakh.
Members of Congress will have until March 31st to join with
Reps. Pallone and Kirk to support these U.S. foreign aid priorities
as the foreign aid panel begins drafting the FY2010 foreign aid bill.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
