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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
FIFTY HOUSE MEMBERS CALL ON FOREIGN AID APPROPRIATORS TO
MAINTAIN MILITARY AID PARITY TO ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN
— Reps. Pallone and Radanovich spearhead campaign calling for
$75 million in U.S. aid to Armenia; Continued Aid to Karabagh
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and George Radanovich
(R-CA) were joined by forty-eight of their House colleagues today in
urging the leadership of the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee
to support pro-Armenian provisions in the fiscal year 2007 foreign
aid bill, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
Members of Congress cosigned a letter, addressed to the panel’s
Chairman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY), which
would strengthen the hand of pro-Armenian members of the Subcommittee,
most notably Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg, Steve Rothman
(D-NJ), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and John Sweeney (R-NY). Rep. Sweeney, who
joined the panel last year, is one of only two Members of Congress
of Armenian heritage.
The letter notes that members of Congress are “deeply troubled”
that the Administration’s request for military aid for Azerbaijan
is considerably higher then the request for Armenia. By signing the
letter, legislators will add their voice to the effort to ensure that
the agreement struck in 2001 between the White House and Congress
to keep aid levels to these two countries equal is fully respected.
In addition, the letter calls for a hard earmark of at least $75
million for Armenia, a one-year $5 million allocation for Nagorno
Karabagh, and the preservation of Section 907 of the Freedom Support
Act.
Members of Congress joining Representatives Pallone and Radanovich
in cosigning the letter included: Reps. Tom Allen (D-ME), Robert
Andrews (D-NJ), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Howard Berman (D-CA), Michael
Bilirakis (R-FL), Eric Cantor (R-VA), Lois Capps (D-CA), Dennis Cardoza
(D-CA), John Conyers (D-MI), Jim Costa (D-CA), Joseph Crowley (D-NY),
William Delahunt (D-MA), David Dreier (R- CA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA),
Mike Ferguson (R-NJ), Barney Frank (D- MA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Rush
Holt (D-NJ), Michael Honda (D-CA), Dale Kildee (D-MI), James Langevin
(D-RI), Sander Levin (D-MI), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Stephen Lynch
(D-MA), Carolyn Maloney (D- NY), Edward Markey (D-MA), Doris Matsui
(D-CA), Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), James McGovern (D-MA), John McHugh
(R-NY), Michael McNulty (D-NY), Martin Meehan (D-MA), Grace Napolitano
(D-CA), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Bobby Rush (D-IL),
H. James Saxton (R-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Joe Schwarz (R-MI),
Christopher Shays (R-CT), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Rob Simmons (R-CT),
Mark Souder (R- IN), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Diane Watson (D-CA),
Henry Waxman (D- CA), Anthony Weiner (D-NY), and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA).
Representatives Knollenberg, Pallone, and Rothman also submitted
individual letters citing their foreign aid priorities for Armenia
and Nagorno Karabagh, among other countries.
The House Foreign Operations panel is set to review the FY2007 foreign
aid bill, which will then be considered by the full Appropriations
Committee and then the full U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate
will finalize its own version, which will be reconciled with the
House bill by a conference committee.
The text of the Congressional letter is provided below.
#####
March 17, 2006
The Honorable Jim Kolbe Chairman Subcommittee on Foreign Operations
Appropriations H-150, The Capitol Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Nita Lowey Ranking Member Subcommittee on Foreign
Operations Appropriations 1016 Longworth Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Chairman Kolbe and Ranking Member Lowey:
Thank you for your leadership on the Appropriations Subcommittee
on Foreign Operations. As you prepare the FY2007 Foreign Operations
Appropriations bill, we write in support of Armenia and US-Armenia
relations and we respectfully request that you consider the items
described below in your bill.
Maintain Military Parity
We are deeply troubled that the Administration’s request for Foreign
Military Financing (FMF), Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, De-mining
and Related Assistance (NADR), and International Military Education
and Training (IMET) funding for Azerbaijan is considerably higher
then the request for Armenia. We believe that this imbalance simply
cannot be allowed to occur.
Congress must ensure that Armenia’s level of FMF assistance is raised
to $4.5 million, NADR assistance is raised to $4.8 million, and
IMET assistance is raised to $855,000. U.S. policy toward the south
Caucasus has been to maintain parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
This policy was reached in agreement in Congress and was maintained
by President Bush in last year’s budget proposal. A lack of military
parity would undo this policy and weaken ongoing peace negotiations
regarding Nagorno-Karabakh. Furthermore, we believe that any imbalance
will contribute to further instability in the region if Congress
does not ensure military parity. Therefore, we strongly urge you to
include $4.5 million in FMF, $4.8 million in NADR, and $885,000 in
IMET funding for Armenia in the FY2007 bill, equal to Azerbaijan.
Economic Assistance to Armenia
The dual blockades of Armenia by Azerbaijan and Turkey continue to
impede Armenia’s economic well-being. Despite these blockades, Armenia
continues to successfully implement economic and democratic reforms.
As long as Armenia suffers from blockades on its east and west borders,
continued and robust U.S. assistance to Armenia will be needed to
help minimize their impact. Our assistance has provided an important
positive effect and will continue to do so when provided at appropriate
levels. For fiscal year 2006, $75 million was provided for Armenia.
Maintaining this level of support is critical. Therefore, we request
you include language ensuring that not less than $75 million in
Economic Support Funds is appropriated for Armenia in Fiscal Year 2007.
Assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh
We thank you for your continued support for assistance to Nagorno-
Karabakh. This support is in our country’s interests and helps
alleviate the conditions of the Nagorno-Karabakh people. It is
important for Congress to maintain a strong position on this funding
to ensure that these programs continue. Therefore, we request you
include language directing USAID to spend $5 million in Fiscal Year
2007 for programs in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Section 907
We request that you join us in opposing any changes to Section 907
in the fiscal year 2007 bill. Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act
remains a fundamental element of U.S. policy toward the south Caucasus.
Because Azerbaijan continues its blockade of Armenia, Section 907 is
necessary. As you know, the FY2002 Foreign Operations Appropriations
Act provided a limited and conditional waiver to Section 907 of the
FREEDOM Support Act in order for the U.S. to effectively combat
terrorism. Specifically, at the time, former Secretary of State
Colin Powell asked for flexibility to counter terrorist elements and
organizations operating within Azerbaijan. We strongly support Section
907 and request that you not make any further changes to this law.
We appreciate your consideration of these requests.
Sincerely,