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Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
March 11, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
REPS. PALLONE AND RADANOVICH RALLY COLLEAGUES IN SUPPORT
OF PRO-ARMENIAN PROVISIONS IN FOREIGN AID BILL
-- Call for Maintaining Military Aid Parity to Armenia
and Azerbaijan, Reversing the Administration's Proposed
Cuts to Armenia, and Continuing Aid to Nagorno Karabagh
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and George
Radanovich (R-CA) called on their U.S. House colleagues today to
join them in cosigning a letter calling on 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).
This bipartisan expression of support, addressed to the panel's
Chairman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY),
strengthens 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.
"We want to thank Congressmen Radanovich and Pallone in urging the
Foreign Operations Subcommittee to support provisions in the fiscal
year 2007 foreign aid bill of special importance to Armenian
Americans," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We also
value the advocacy for pro-Armenian issues from within this panel
by Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg, the leadership of
Chairman Jim Kolbe and Ranking Democrat Nita Lowey, and the support
of Representatives Steve Rothman, John Sweeney, Mark Kirk, Jesse
Jackson, Jr., Carolyn Kilpatrick, Chaka Fattah, and our other
friends."
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,
888 17th St., NW Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
March 11, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
REPS. PALLONE AND RADANOVICH RALLY COLLEAGUES IN SUPPORT
OF PRO-ARMENIAN PROVISIONS IN FOREIGN AID BILL
-- Call for Maintaining Military Aid Parity to Armenia
and Azerbaijan, Reversing the Administration's Proposed
Cuts to Armenia, and Continuing Aid to Nagorno Karabagh
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and George
Radanovich (R-CA) called on their U.S. House colleagues today to
join them in cosigning a letter calling on 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).
This bipartisan expression of support, addressed to the panel's
Chairman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY),
strengthens 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.
"We want to thank Congressmen Radanovich and Pallone in urging the
Foreign Operations Subcommittee to support provisions in the fiscal
year 2007 foreign aid bill of special importance to Armenian
Americans," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We also
value the advocacy for pro-Armenian issues from within this panel
by Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg, the leadership of
Chairman Jim Kolbe and Ranking Democrat Nita Lowey, and the support
of Representatives Steve Rothman, John Sweeney, Mark Kirk, Jesse
Jackson, Jr., Carolyn Kilpatrick, Chaka Fattah, and our other
friends."
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,