Armenian Assembly of America
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PRESS RELEASE

June 17, 2009
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: mzachariades@aaainc.org
Phone: (202) 393-3434

KEY HOUSE PANEL APPROVES $48 MILLION FOR ARMENIA AND $10 MILLION FOR
NAGORNO KARABAKH

Restores Military Parity, Strengthens Section 907

Washington, DC – Today, a key House panel approved the Fiscal Year (FY)
2010 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill. Armenia is slated to
receive $48 million, $3 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF), and
$450,000 in International Military Education Training (IMET) while
Nagorno Karabakh will receive $10 million, reported the Armenian
Assembly of America (Assembly). Azerbaijan did not receive the funding
increase proposed by the Administration.

"The Assembly commends Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) and members of the
Subcommittee for ensuring this positive outcome," said Armenian Assembly
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "U.S. assistance to Armenia helps to
offset the impact of Turkey’s ongoing blockade of Armenia," continued
Ardouny.

The Administration proposed a sharp reduction in funding to Armenia from
last year’s level of $48 million to $30 million in FY 2010.
Additionally, the budget request also increased aid to Azerbaijan and
overturned long-standing Congressional policy with respect to military
parity between Armenian and Azerbaijan.

"Today’s Subcommittee action sends the right message to the people of
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, that America will continue to assist our
friends in the region," added Ardouny. "However, the Assembly remains
concerned about the overall level of assistance to Armenia, especially
the impact of the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) recent
decision to hold funding on a rural roads project. The Assembly will
continue to press for increased assistance to benefit the people of
Armenia."

In March of this year, Board of Trustees Member Van Krikorian testified
before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State Foreign Operations
and Related Programs, outlining the Assembly’s priorities and urging not
less than: $70 million for Armenia, $10 million for Nagorno Karabakh as
well as $4 million in Foreign FMF and $1 million in IMET for Fiscal Year
2010. Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk
(R-IL) also called for the funding levels noted above.

The full Committee is expected to consider the bill next week with a
vote in the House of Representatives anticipated before the August
Congressional recess. As the Bill moves through the legislative process
in the House and Senate, the Assembly will continue its advocacy and
outreach efforts.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.

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NR#2009-054