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Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.armenianassembly.org
PRESS RELEASE
March 16, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
CONGRESS RETRACTS $1 BILLION GRANT OFFER TO TURKEY
Assembly Says Action Point to Further Strains Between Washington, Ankara
Washington, DC - The Armenian Assembly today noted the Bush
Administration's withdrawal of a $1 billion aid offer to Turkey aimed at
compensating that country against the negative effects of the war in
neighboring Iraq. The funding, which Congress approved following the
onset of the war, was contingent on Turkish cooperation in Iraq.
At the request of President Bush, Congress rescinded the proposal since
Ankara gave no indication it was willing to comply with the terms of the
offer. The House of Representatives approved the Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror and Tsunami
Relief, which thereby retracts the offer.
Among the stipulations for the funding is that the Turkish parliament
agree not to deploy its country's forces to the Kurdish region of
northern Iraq.
Ankara has expressed concerns about the growing influence of Kurds in
Iraq, fearing that a possible independent Kurdish state there could lead
to an uprising among ethnic Kurds within Turkey.
"We commend the Bush Administration for proposing, and Congress for
concurring, that this assistance package be dropped given Turkey's
continued lack of support for the U.S. effort, starting with its refusal
in 2003 to allow coalition troops on its soil," said Board of Directors
Chairman Anthony Barsamian.
As relations between Washington and Ankara continue to strain, Assembly
leaders noted that the U.S.-Armenia security relationship has in fact
strengthened in recent months. President Bush has described Armenia as
a "key partner with the United States" in the war against terrorism and
an Armenian task force, comprised of transportation and de-mining
personnel, was deployed to Iraq in December.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
###
NR#2005-031
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.armenianassembly.org
PRESS RELEASE
March 16, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
CONGRESS RETRACTS $1 BILLION GRANT OFFER TO TURKEY
Assembly Says Action Point to Further Strains Between Washington, Ankara
Washington, DC - The Armenian Assembly today noted the Bush
Administration's withdrawal of a $1 billion aid offer to Turkey aimed at
compensating that country against the negative effects of the war in
neighboring Iraq. The funding, which Congress approved following the
onset of the war, was contingent on Turkish cooperation in Iraq.
At the request of President Bush, Congress rescinded the proposal since
Ankara gave no indication it was willing to comply with the terms of the
offer. The House of Representatives approved the Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror and Tsunami
Relief, which thereby retracts the offer.
Among the stipulations for the funding is that the Turkish parliament
agree not to deploy its country's forces to the Kurdish region of
northern Iraq.
Ankara has expressed concerns about the growing influence of Kurds in
Iraq, fearing that a possible independent Kurdish state there could lead
to an uprising among ethnic Kurds within Turkey.
"We commend the Bush Administration for proposing, and Congress for
concurring, that this assistance package be dropped given Turkey's
continued lack of support for the U.S. effort, starting with its refusal
in 2003 to allow coalition troops on its soil," said Board of Directors
Chairman Anthony Barsamian.
As relations between Washington and Ankara continue to strain, Assembly
leaders noted that the U.S.-Armenia security relationship has in fact
strengthened in recent months. President Bush has described Armenia as
a "key partner with the United States" in the war against terrorism and
an Armenian task force, comprised of transportation and de-mining
personnel, was deployed to Iraq in December.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
###
NR#2005-031
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress