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SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES MILLION FOR ARMENIA
NOYAN TAPAN
JULY 30, 2010
Washington
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations approved the
Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill,
reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). The Committee
recommended million in assistance for Armenia, which is million
below last year's level of million, and equal to the Administration's
request of million.
"In light of Turkey's ongoing blockade of Armenia, and its refusal
to normalize relations without preconditions, the importance of U.S.
assistance to Armenia cannot be understated," said Congressional
Relations Associate Bianka Kadian-Dodov.
The Senate Committee action comes after the House Appropriations
Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
adopted its version of the bill last month, which included million
for Armenia and million in assistance to Nagorno Karabakh.
"The Assembly will continue to work with both the Senate and House to
ensure the best possible outcome for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh,"
said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
The Senate Bill also called for "confidence-building measures and other
activities in furtherance of the peaceful resolution of conflicts"
for the "Southern Caucasus region." In addition, the Bill provided
.5 million "to support people to people reconciliation programs,
which bring together individuals of different ethnic, religious and
political backgrounds from areas of civil strife and war.."
The Committee also required a report regarding Section 907 of the
Freedom Support Act directing the "Secretary of State to submit a
report not later than 90 days after enactment of this act, analyzing
the effectiveness of the restrictions on assistance for the Government
of Azerbaijan as contained in section 907 of Public Law 102-511, and
the exceptions to such restrictions on assistance provided under this
heading, in furthering a resolution to the conflict between Armenia
and Azerbaijan. Such report shall also include specific recommendations
for increasing opportunities for reconciliation between parties."
Funding for Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and International
Military Education Training (IMET) were not delineated for Armenia
and Azerbaijan. Given Azerbaijan's escalating military expenditures
and its continued war mongering, the Assembly in its congressional
testimony, "urged" appropriators "to cease military assistance to
Azerbaijan." The Committee's report also expressed concerns "with
repression of independent journalists in Azerbaijan" and directed the
Secretary of State to "seek improvements in freedom of expression in
connection with assistance for the central Government of Azerbaijan."
Further action on the Senate and House bills will continue in September
when Members of Congress return from the August recess.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the
largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
501(c) (3) tax-exempt membership organization.
From: A. Papazian
NOYAN TAPAN
JULY 30, 2010
Washington
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations approved the
Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill,
reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). The Committee
recommended million in assistance for Armenia, which is million
below last year's level of million, and equal to the Administration's
request of million.
"In light of Turkey's ongoing blockade of Armenia, and its refusal
to normalize relations without preconditions, the importance of U.S.
assistance to Armenia cannot be understated," said Congressional
Relations Associate Bianka Kadian-Dodov.
The Senate Committee action comes after the House Appropriations
Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
adopted its version of the bill last month, which included million
for Armenia and million in assistance to Nagorno Karabakh.
"The Assembly will continue to work with both the Senate and House to
ensure the best possible outcome for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh,"
said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
The Senate Bill also called for "confidence-building measures and other
activities in furtherance of the peaceful resolution of conflicts"
for the "Southern Caucasus region." In addition, the Bill provided
.5 million "to support people to people reconciliation programs,
which bring together individuals of different ethnic, religious and
political backgrounds from areas of civil strife and war.."
The Committee also required a report regarding Section 907 of the
Freedom Support Act directing the "Secretary of State to submit a
report not later than 90 days after enactment of this act, analyzing
the effectiveness of the restrictions on assistance for the Government
of Azerbaijan as contained in section 907 of Public Law 102-511, and
the exceptions to such restrictions on assistance provided under this
heading, in furthering a resolution to the conflict between Armenia
and Azerbaijan. Such report shall also include specific recommendations
for increasing opportunities for reconciliation between parties."
Funding for Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and International
Military Education Training (IMET) were not delineated for Armenia
and Azerbaijan. Given Azerbaijan's escalating military expenditures
and its continued war mongering, the Assembly in its congressional
testimony, "urged" appropriators "to cease military assistance to
Azerbaijan." The Committee's report also expressed concerns "with
repression of independent journalists in Azerbaijan" and directed the
Secretary of State to "seek improvements in freedom of expression in
connection with assistance for the central Government of Azerbaijan."
Further action on the Senate and House bills will continue in September
when Members of Congress return from the August recess.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the
largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
501(c) (3) tax-exempt membership organization.
From: A. Papazian