PALLONE LAUDS HOUSE FOREIGN OPERATIONS BILL FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO ARMENIA & MILITARY PARITY
Targeted News Service
June 24, 2009 Wednesday 7:26 AM EST
Rep. Frank G. Pallone, D-N.J. (6th CD), issued the following news
release:
U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues, released the following statement today commending
the Fiscal Year 2010 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill for its
commitment to Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and military parity between
Armenia and Azerbaijan. The bill was passed through the House Committee
on Appropriations last night.
"I would like to commend Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Granger
for their hard work and leadership on the State and Foreign Operation
Appropriations bill.
"The people of Armenia continue to face an illegal dual blockade by
Turkey and Azerbaijan and continue to feel the negative effects of the
global recession. I strongly believe that robust U.S. assistance to
Armenia will help minimize the impact of these factors and help the
country strengthen its economy. Our assistance has helped economic
and social institutions in Armenia and will continue to do so when
provided at appropriate levels.
"Unfortunately, the Administration’s budget proposal reduced
funding to Armenia and broke with military parity between Armenia
and Azerbaijan. I am pleased that the subcommittee rejected these
recommendations, increasing aid to Armenia to $48 million. The
subcommittee also restored military parity between Armenia and
Azerbaijan to $3 million each in Foreign Military Financing and
$450,000 in International Military Education and Training (IMET).
"I am also grateful that the subcommittee has allocated $10 million
for Nagorno Karabakh in humanitarian assistance. U.S. funding has
been tremendously helpful in alleviating humanitarian crises in
Nagorno-Karabakh. However, I respectfully request that in moving
forward with the appropriations bill, Chairwoman Lowey consider a shift
in aid from humanitarian to developmental programs in Nagorno Karabakh.
"In addition, the subcommittee enhanced Section 907 restrictions on
U.S. aid to Azerbaijan. Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act remains
a fundamental element of U.S. policy toward the South Caucasus and
is essential as Azerbaijan continues its blockade of Armenia and
continues to use threatening language. The bill reiterates the need
for all parties in the conflict to ‘refrain from threats, incitement
to the use of force, or other inflammatory rhetoric’ and directs the
Department of State to consult with the Committee on Appropriations
before exercising this waiver for Fiscal Year 2010."
Contact: Richard McGrath, 202/225-4671
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