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ENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE SUPPORTS CONTINUED ASSISTANCE FOR NAGORNO KARABAKH
armradio.am
26.05.2012 12:04
Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version
of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations
Bill outlining U.S. funding and policy priorities abroad, including
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, reported the Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly).
The Appropriations Committee recommended "assistance for victims
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in amounts consistent with prior
years, and for ongoing needs related to the conflict." In addition,
the Committee urged "a peaceful resolution to the conflict" and the
Bill itself made funds available for "confidence-building measures
and other activities in furtherance of the peaceful resolution of
conflicts, including in Nagorno Karabakh."
"The Senate Appropriations Committee's inclusion of assistance to
Nagorno Karabakh advances important US foreign policy and humanitarian
priorities in the region and will provide for those most affected by
this conflict," said a spokesperson for Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL).
Sources familiar with the Bill noted that funding for Armenia in
terms of economic and military assistance mirrors the President's
request, which included the following: $27.22 million in Economic
Support Funds, $2.5 million in Global Health Programs, and $2.82
million in International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement. The
Administration's request also called for $2.7 million in Foreign
Military Financing (FMF) for Armenia and allocates $600,000 each in
International Military Education Training (IMET).
The Bill also restated the six customary exemptions for humanitarian
and other assistance to Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act.
Section 907 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.
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chairman of the State, Foreign Operations
Appropriations Subcommittee noted that while overall funding in this
"bipartisan bill" is "$2.6 billion below the President's budget
request, and $1.2 billow below the Fiscal Year 2012 level" at the
same time still "addresses the priorities of Senators of both parties."
Further action on this Bill and its counterpart in the House of
Representatives has not been scheduled.
armradio.am
26.05.2012 12:04
Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version
of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations
Bill outlining U.S. funding and policy priorities abroad, including
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, reported the Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly).
The Appropriations Committee recommended "assistance for victims
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in amounts consistent with prior
years, and for ongoing needs related to the conflict." In addition,
the Committee urged "a peaceful resolution to the conflict" and the
Bill itself made funds available for "confidence-building measures
and other activities in furtherance of the peaceful resolution of
conflicts, including in Nagorno Karabakh."
"The Senate Appropriations Committee's inclusion of assistance to
Nagorno Karabakh advances important US foreign policy and humanitarian
priorities in the region and will provide for those most affected by
this conflict," said a spokesperson for Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL).
Sources familiar with the Bill noted that funding for Armenia in
terms of economic and military assistance mirrors the President's
request, which included the following: $27.22 million in Economic
Support Funds, $2.5 million in Global Health Programs, and $2.82
million in International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement. The
Administration's request also called for $2.7 million in Foreign
Military Financing (FMF) for Armenia and allocates $600,000 each in
International Military Education Training (IMET).
The Bill also restated the six customary exemptions for humanitarian
and other assistance to Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act.
Section 907 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.
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chairman of the State, Foreign Operations
Appropriations Subcommittee noted that while overall funding in this
"bipartisan bill" is "$2.6 billion below the President's budget
request, and $1.2 billow below the Fiscal Year 2012 level" at the
same time still "addresses the priorities of Senators of both parties."
Further action on this Bill and its counterpart in the House of
Representatives has not been scheduled.