PRESS RELEASE
June 23, 2009
Armenian Council of America
440 W Colorado Blvd. Suite 211
Glendale, CA 91204
Tel: (818) 545-9049
Fax:(818) 545-9071
[email protected]
HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES ARMENIA AND KARABAKH AID
Washington, DC – Today in the U.S. Congress, the House of Representatives
Committee on Appropriations passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 State and
Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, reported the Armenian Council of
America (ACA).
The full Appropriations Committee approved the proposals that were set forth
last week by the Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations. These measures
maintained full funding for Armenia at $48 million and a substantial
increase to $10 million in humanitarian assistance to Nagorno Karabakh.
Additionally, the Committee restored military parity between Armenia and
Azerbaijan, both countries have equally been allocated $3 million in foreign
military assistance and $450,000 in International Military Education and
Training (IMET). Also, a 20% funding increase of military funding for
Azerbaijan was not approved. The House Appropriations Committee reversed the
budget funding requests submitted by the Obama Administration.
Another key component included by the Committee was strengthening of Section
907 of the Freedom Support Act, which restricts aid to Azerbaijan until it
lifts its blockades and ceases other offensive actions against Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh. The new Committee language requires that the State
Department consult with the Committee on Appropriations "before exercising
this waiver for fiscal year 2010 to ensure that all conditions under the
waiver provision are being fully met".
In March, the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-chairs Congressmen
Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) made their recommendations to the
House Foreign Operations Subcommittee chaired by Representative Nita Lowey
(D-NY). Caucus Co-Chair Mark Kirk also serves as a member of the
Appropriations Subcommittee. "We appreciate the support from our friends on
the Appropriations Subcommittee and especially the leadership of Chairwoman
Lowey and our pillars Congressman Kirk and Pallone in rectifying aid to the
people of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh", said ACA Chairman Vasken Khodanian.
The foreign aid bill will next move to the entire House of Representatives
for a vote. The Senate will also prepare its version of the bill. The
Armenian Council of America will continue its advocacy for these measures.
The Armenian Council of America is a grassroots organization dedicated to
work with both Democratic and Republican political leaders, offering
Armenian related news, analysis and resources for policymakers, media,
students and activists, advocating issues important to Armenian Americans.
The Armenian Council of America aims to strengthen U.S. – Armenia and U.S. –
Nagorno Karabakh ties, the development of programs promoting sustainable
economic growth and good governance in Armenia, while promoting the values
and responsibilities of global citizenship.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
