U.S. EMBASSY IN ARMENIA IS ASKED TO EXPLAIN OBAMA'S BEHAVIOR
ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 16, 2012
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS: Political Developments Research
Center addressed an open letter to the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John
Heffern connected with the Obama's proposal to cut the economic aid
to Armenia. Public relations office of the center says in the letter
they expressed their concern over it.
"We are saddened to hear that President Obama has called for a drastic
19 percent reduction in economic assistance to Armenia in his latest
budget request from Congress. The president has proposed $27,219,000
in aid for Armenia in his Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13) budget, which is
nearly $12,781,000, or 32 percent less than the $40,000,000 approved
by Congress for the previous fiscal year.
Taking into consideration the fact that Armenia is in an economic
blockade by Azerbaijan, and its ally Turkey, which has kept the
border with Armenia closed since 1993 as a sign of approval and
support in favor of Azerbaijan in the ongoing conflict between the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan, the United States, as a
champion of human rights and democratic development, should continue
to assist Armenia's progress by keeping the foreign aid level constant
with previous years. This is especially true when the Nagorno Karabakh
people have been striving for self-determination which was first
presented by American president Woodrow Wilson, and the duel blockade
has made the peaceful life much more difficult for people in Armenia
and in Nagorno-Karabakh, artificially limiting the economic growth.
As a diplomat of a country that is serving as one of the Co-Chairmen
of the OSCE Minsk Group, which aims to bring about a lasting peace
and stability in the region, and a country that supported Armenian
President's move towards the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement, you are
in a good position to understand the tense and fragile situation of
the region.
Nonetheless, taking the geopolitical difficulties into account, Armenia
has still managed to provide peacekeepers in U.S. missions overseas,
specifically in Iraq, and continues to participate in Afghanistan
as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF). Armenian peacekeepers put their lives on the line to further
the democratic and humanitarian mission, along with their Euro-Atlantic
partners, which is another reason President Obama's budget proposal
to cut foreign aid to Armenia remains perplexing for us.
Therefore, we are kindly asking you to provide an explanation as to
why President Obama has decided to lower foreign aid to the Republic
of Armenia," the letter runs.
From: A. Papazian
ARMENPRESS
FEBRUARY 16, 2012
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS: Political Developments Research
Center addressed an open letter to the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John
Heffern connected with the Obama's proposal to cut the economic aid
to Armenia. Public relations office of the center says in the letter
they expressed their concern over it.
"We are saddened to hear that President Obama has called for a drastic
19 percent reduction in economic assistance to Armenia in his latest
budget request from Congress. The president has proposed $27,219,000
in aid for Armenia in his Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13) budget, which is
nearly $12,781,000, or 32 percent less than the $40,000,000 approved
by Congress for the previous fiscal year.
Taking into consideration the fact that Armenia is in an economic
blockade by Azerbaijan, and its ally Turkey, which has kept the
border with Armenia closed since 1993 as a sign of approval and
support in favor of Azerbaijan in the ongoing conflict between the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan, the United States, as a
champion of human rights and democratic development, should continue
to assist Armenia's progress by keeping the foreign aid level constant
with previous years. This is especially true when the Nagorno Karabakh
people have been striving for self-determination which was first
presented by American president Woodrow Wilson, and the duel blockade
has made the peaceful life much more difficult for people in Armenia
and in Nagorno-Karabakh, artificially limiting the economic growth.
As a diplomat of a country that is serving as one of the Co-Chairmen
of the OSCE Minsk Group, which aims to bring about a lasting peace
and stability in the region, and a country that supported Armenian
President's move towards the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement, you are
in a good position to understand the tense and fragile situation of
the region.
Nonetheless, taking the geopolitical difficulties into account, Armenia
has still managed to provide peacekeepers in U.S. missions overseas,
specifically in Iraq, and continues to participate in Afghanistan
as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF). Armenian peacekeepers put their lives on the line to further
the democratic and humanitarian mission, along with their Euro-Atlantic
partners, which is another reason President Obama's budget proposal
to cut foreign aid to Armenia remains perplexing for us.
Therefore, we are kindly asking you to provide an explanation as to
why President Obama has decided to lower foreign aid to the Republic
of Armenia," the letter runs.
From: A. Papazian