ASSEMBLY WELCOMES SENATE LEGISLATION OPPOSING RAILROAD THAT BYPASSES ARMENIA
ArmRadio.am
29.03.2006 10:37
As Armenian Assembly activists stormed Capitol Hill to promote
community concerns to over 80 congressional offices, Senators Rick
Santorum and Robert Menendez introduced a major bill (S. 2461)
in the US Senate that would bar assistance for a proposed $800
million railway that would connect Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey
whilebypassing Armenia.
The legislation, known as the South Caucasus Integration and Open
Railroads Act, was introduced shortly after participants of the
Assembly’s National Conference met with senior staff representing
Senators Santorum and Menendez – both longtime supporters of Armenian
issues. The three-day National Conference was co-hosted by the AGBU
and Eastern and Western Dioceses of the Armenian Church.
“United States policy in the South Caucasus seeks to foster regional
stability and enhanced cooperation, and includes open borders and
transport corridors,” Santorum told the Assembly. “The proposed rail
link would not only undermine US long-term goals for the region, but
serves to isolate Armenia. Efforts to foster economic integration and
reduce the risk of further tensions are in the best interests of the
United States and the South Caucasus.”
Menendez, echoing Santorum, added that “the sole aim of this costly
project is to further isolate Armenia by enhancing the ongoing Turkish
and Azerbaijani blockades. I look forward to working with my colleagues
in the Senate and members of the Armenian-American community to block
US financial support of this rail project.”