THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS OF USA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EXPRESSES ITS SUPPORT TO THE PARITY PRINCIPAL OF THE MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN

ARMENPRESS
June 24, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 24, ARMENPRESS: During the June 23 session the Committee
of Appropriations of USA House of Representatives approved the Section
907 of Freedom Support Act for the 2010 Fiscal Year.

An official from the Armenian Assembly of America told Armenpress
that the Committee has also approved the 48 million USD support to
Armenia and 10 million – to Nagorno Karabakh. The military assistance
will reach 3 million USD and 450 000 USD will be provided for the
military education projects. On the decision of the Committee the
parity principal of military assistance given to Armenia and Azerbaijan
will be preserved.

Executive Director of Armenian Assembly of America Bryan Ardouny
expressed gratitude to the Chairwoman Nita Lowey for her leadership
on Armenian issues, as well as Congressmen Adam Schiff and Mark Kirk
for today’s outcome, which can contribute to the peaceful regulation
of Nagorno Karabakh conflict and confidence building between the
sides." A vote in the House on the 2010 Fiscal Year is expected as
early as next week.

The Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act was adopted thanks to the
active work of the Armenian lobby institutions in 1992.

Registering Azerbaijan’s active participation in the blockade policy of
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh the USA Congress made the 907 amendment
in the Freedom Support Act with which providing of other type of
assistance to the Azerbaijani government has been banned.

The Conditional waiver of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act makes
it clear that any assistance provided shall not "undermine or hamper"
the Karabakh peace process or "be used for offensive purposes against
Armenia" or any "Armenian community in the Caucasus region.