CONGRESSIONAL ARMENIAN CAUCUS CO-CHAIRS OFFER TO INCREASE AID TO ARMENIA AND NAGORNO KARABAGH

ArmInfo
2009-03-26 14:21:00

ArmInfo. 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) earlier
today 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 Karabagh, 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 Karabagh and furthers our nation’s efforts
toensure 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 Karabagh 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.