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ANCA calls to make congressmen support high levels of Armenia's and
Artsakh's aid
July 30, 2011 - 17:56 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Among the Armenian American foreign aid priorities
outlined by the ANCA are: At least $60 million in economic aid to
Armenia, to strengthen its independence and to help offset the
devastating impact of dual Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades; at least
$10 million in military aid to Armenia, with the understanding that,
based on a long-standing practice and in the interest of regional
stability, Azerbaijan does not receive any more military aid than
Armenia. Oil-rich Azerbaijan, for its part, should not receive any
assistance at all, as long as it continues to blockade, threaten, and
attack Nagorno Karabakh; at least $10 million in development aid to
Nagorno Karabagh. Please strongly consider 1) insisting upon the
inclusion of language directing this aid for "developmental" purposed
in order to ensure that it is spent in the most cost-effective manner,
2) including specific language setting $10 million as a minimum, in
light of the Administration's past practice of spending considerably
less for this program than Congress has intended; maintain Section 907
of the FREEDOM Support Act, and include a provision to end military
aid to Azerbaijan if its leadership continues to threaten to renew
Baku's aggression against Nagorno Karabakh or Armenia.
July 27, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign
Operations and Related Programs approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012
State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, which calls for $40
million in economic assistance to Armenia, reported the Armenian
Assembly of America (Assembly).
The Subcommittee's Bill did not specify funding levels for Nagorno
Karabakh. However, Congress has routinely called for up to $10 million
in annual U.S. assistance.
While the Administration's budget request provided $3 million in
Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Armenia and Azerbaijan, and
$450,000 more to Azerbaijan in International Military Education
Training (IMET), the Subcommittee's draft legislation did not
specifically delineate funding levels, but did call for military
parity for Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Subcommittee's Bill also restated the six customary exemptions for
humanitarian and other assistance to Section 907 of the Freedom
Support Act. Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act was enacted in
1992 and requires the Government of Azerbaijan to take "demonstrable
steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force"
against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
With passage by the Subcommittee, the Bill is scheduled to be
considered by the full House Appropriations Committee on August 3.
Earlier, Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) circulated a
letter urging his U.S. House colleagues to support expanded U.S. aid
to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, and a number of other pro-Armenia
provisions in the Fiscal Year 2012 foreign aid bill.
In his letter, Rep. Pallone, called upon his fellow Representatives to
join with him in co-signing a Congressional letter asking the
bipartisan leadership of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State
Foreign Operations to support the inclusion of the following
provisions: At least $60 million in economic support funds for
Armenia; At least $10 million in development aid to Nagorno Karabakh;
The strengthening of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act and
maintaining military aid parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan; The removal
of barriers to U.S.-Nagorno Karabakh contacts and communications;
Support for the reinstatement of Nagorno Karabakh in the OSCE Minsk
Group peace process; At least $10 million in military aid to Armenia.
Artsakh's aid
July 30, 2011 - 17:56 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Among the Armenian American foreign aid priorities
outlined by the ANCA are: At least $60 million in economic aid to
Armenia, to strengthen its independence and to help offset the
devastating impact of dual Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades; at least
$10 million in military aid to Armenia, with the understanding that,
based on a long-standing practice and in the interest of regional
stability, Azerbaijan does not receive any more military aid than
Armenia. Oil-rich Azerbaijan, for its part, should not receive any
assistance at all, as long as it continues to blockade, threaten, and
attack Nagorno Karabakh; at least $10 million in development aid to
Nagorno Karabagh. Please strongly consider 1) insisting upon the
inclusion of language directing this aid for "developmental" purposed
in order to ensure that it is spent in the most cost-effective manner,
2) including specific language setting $10 million as a minimum, in
light of the Administration's past practice of spending considerably
less for this program than Congress has intended; maintain Section 907
of the FREEDOM Support Act, and include a provision to end military
aid to Azerbaijan if its leadership continues to threaten to renew
Baku's aggression against Nagorno Karabakh or Armenia.
July 27, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign
Operations and Related Programs approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012
State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, which calls for $40
million in economic assistance to Armenia, reported the Armenian
Assembly of America (Assembly).
The Subcommittee's Bill did not specify funding levels for Nagorno
Karabakh. However, Congress has routinely called for up to $10 million
in annual U.S. assistance.
While the Administration's budget request provided $3 million in
Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Armenia and Azerbaijan, and
$450,000 more to Azerbaijan in International Military Education
Training (IMET), the Subcommittee's draft legislation did not
specifically delineate funding levels, but did call for military
parity for Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Subcommittee's Bill also restated the six customary exemptions for
humanitarian and other assistance to Section 907 of the Freedom
Support Act. Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act was enacted in
1992 and requires the Government of Azerbaijan to take "demonstrable
steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force"
against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
With passage by the Subcommittee, the Bill is scheduled to be
considered by the full House Appropriations Committee on August 3.
Earlier, Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) circulated a
letter urging his U.S. House colleagues to support expanded U.S. aid
to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, and a number of other pro-Armenia
provisions in the Fiscal Year 2012 foreign aid bill.
In his letter, Rep. Pallone, called upon his fellow Representatives to
join with him in co-signing a Congressional letter asking the
bipartisan leadership of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State
Foreign Operations to support the inclusion of the following
provisions: At least $60 million in economic support funds for
Armenia; At least $10 million in development aid to Nagorno Karabakh;
The strengthening of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act and
maintaining military aid parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan; The removal
of barriers to U.S.-Nagorno Karabakh contacts and communications;
Support for the reinstatement of Nagorno Karabakh in the OSCE Minsk
Group peace process; At least $10 million in military aid to Armenia.