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ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
March 20, 2012
Contact: Press Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
ARMENIAN CAUCUS URGES SUPPORT FOR KEY PRIORITIES IN LETTER TO HOUSE
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
Calls for $50 Million to Armenia and $5 Million to Nagorno Karabakh
Washington, DC - Today, over 30 Members of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues sent a letter to House State and Foreign Operations
Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-KY) and Ranking
Member Nita Lowey (D-NY) outlining priorities for U.S. assistance to
Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh, the Armenian community in the Javakheti region
of Georgia and Christian communities at risk in the Middle East, as well as
other important policy provisions, reported the Armenian Assembly of
America (Assembly).
The letter, spearheaded by Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr.
(D-NJ), urged at least $50 million in aid to Armenia and at least $5
million in aid to Nagorno Karabakh.
Expanding "on U.S. assistance previously targeted to the largely
Armenian-populated region of Samtskhe-Javakheti (Javakhk) in south-central
Georgia, including funding for job-creation programs and ongoing
improvements to transportation and communication infrastructure," the
letter requested that 10 percent of U.S. funding to Georgia be allocated to
this region.
In response to "recent events in the Middle East, from the Arab spring and
unrest in Syria to the continued developments in Iraq and elsewhere," and
the challenges faced by minority populations within areas of conflict, the
letter called for U.S. humanitarian and resettlement assistance
"specifically targeted to Armenian and other Christian populations as well
as other minority communities" at risk. The language comes following news
reports yesterday that a car explosion in a Christian neighborhood in
Aleppo, Syria killed three people and injured 30. The explosives were
reportedly placed in a car in the Sulaymaniyeh neighborhood, an area that
is heavily populated by Christians, including many Armenian families.
The letter also highlighted Azerbaijan's ongoing war rhetoric against
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, and recommended that Section 907 of the
Freedom Support Act be strengthened by adding a new section: "In the last
fiscal year, Azerbaijan has not taken hostile action, either through
military force or incitement, including but not limited to threatening
pronouncements by government officials, toward Armenia or Nagorno Karabakh,
and has both stated and demonstrated its commitment to pursuing a lasting
peace with Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh through solely non-violent means."
Additionally, the letter, citing the importance of promoting peace and
stability and to foster dialogue, urged the removal of "any official or
unofficial restrictions on U.S.-Nagorno Karabakh travel, visitations,
discussions, meetings, contacts, consultations, exchange programs, or other
governmental or civil society communication, cooperation, or interaction."
"U.S. assistance programs to Armenia and Artsakh have played a critically
important role, especially in the face of the dual blockades imposed by
Turkey and Azerbaijan," stated the Assembly's Executive Director Bryan
Ardouny. "This letter represents an important first step in the
appropriations process and sends a positive signal that America is
committed to protecting fundamental human rights issues and promoting peace
in the South Caucasus region," added Ardouny.
In addition to Congressman Pallone, the following members signed the letter
(in alphabetical order): Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Joe Baca (D-CA), Shelley
Berkley (D-NV), Howard Berman (D-CA), Bruce Braley (D-IA), David Cicilline
(D-RI), Jim Costa (D-CA), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Chaka
Fattah (D-PA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Michael Grimm (R-NY), Rush Holt
(D-NJ), James Langevin (D-RI), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Stephen Lynch (D-MA),
Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Edward Markey (D-MA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), James
McGovern (D-MA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), Gary
Peters (D-MI), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Linda Sanchez
(D-CA), Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA),
Bob Turner (D-NY), and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA).
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 non-partisan, 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#: 2012-010
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
PRESS RELEASE
March 20, 2012
Contact: Press Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
ARMENIAN CAUCUS URGES SUPPORT FOR KEY PRIORITIES IN LETTER TO HOUSE
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
Calls for $50 Million to Armenia and $5 Million to Nagorno Karabakh
Washington, DC - Today, over 30 Members of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues sent a letter to House State and Foreign Operations
Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-KY) and Ranking
Member Nita Lowey (D-NY) outlining priorities for U.S. assistance to
Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh, the Armenian community in the Javakheti region
of Georgia and Christian communities at risk in the Middle East, as well as
other important policy provisions, reported the Armenian Assembly of
America (Assembly).
The letter, spearheaded by Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr.
(D-NJ), urged at least $50 million in aid to Armenia and at least $5
million in aid to Nagorno Karabakh.
Expanding "on U.S. assistance previously targeted to the largely
Armenian-populated region of Samtskhe-Javakheti (Javakhk) in south-central
Georgia, including funding for job-creation programs and ongoing
improvements to transportation and communication infrastructure," the
letter requested that 10 percent of U.S. funding to Georgia be allocated to
this region.
In response to "recent events in the Middle East, from the Arab spring and
unrest in Syria to the continued developments in Iraq and elsewhere," and
the challenges faced by minority populations within areas of conflict, the
letter called for U.S. humanitarian and resettlement assistance
"specifically targeted to Armenian and other Christian populations as well
as other minority communities" at risk. The language comes following news
reports yesterday that a car explosion in a Christian neighborhood in
Aleppo, Syria killed three people and injured 30. The explosives were
reportedly placed in a car in the Sulaymaniyeh neighborhood, an area that
is heavily populated by Christians, including many Armenian families.
The letter also highlighted Azerbaijan's ongoing war rhetoric against
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, and recommended that Section 907 of the
Freedom Support Act be strengthened by adding a new section: "In the last
fiscal year, Azerbaijan has not taken hostile action, either through
military force or incitement, including but not limited to threatening
pronouncements by government officials, toward Armenia or Nagorno Karabakh,
and has both stated and demonstrated its commitment to pursuing a lasting
peace with Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh through solely non-violent means."
Additionally, the letter, citing the importance of promoting peace and
stability and to foster dialogue, urged the removal of "any official or
unofficial restrictions on U.S.-Nagorno Karabakh travel, visitations,
discussions, meetings, contacts, consultations, exchange programs, or other
governmental or civil society communication, cooperation, or interaction."
"U.S. assistance programs to Armenia and Artsakh have played a critically
important role, especially in the face of the dual blockades imposed by
Turkey and Azerbaijan," stated the Assembly's Executive Director Bryan
Ardouny. "This letter represents an important first step in the
appropriations process and sends a positive signal that America is
committed to protecting fundamental human rights issues and promoting peace
in the South Caucasus region," added Ardouny.
In addition to Congressman Pallone, the following members signed the letter
(in alphabetical order): Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Joe Baca (D-CA), Shelley
Berkley (D-NV), Howard Berman (D-CA), Bruce Braley (D-IA), David Cicilline
(D-RI), Jim Costa (D-CA), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Chaka
Fattah (D-PA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Michael Grimm (R-NY), Rush Holt
(D-NJ), James Langevin (D-RI), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Stephen Lynch (D-MA),
Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Edward Markey (D-MA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), James
McGovern (D-MA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), Gary
Peters (D-MI), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Linda Sanchez
(D-CA), Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA),
Bob Turner (D-NY), and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA).
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 non-partisan, 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#: 2012-010
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress