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PALLONE LAUDS MILITARY PARITY BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN IN FOREIGN AID BILL
U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), co-chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, gave the following statement on the House floor today in support of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 Foreign Operations appropriations bill. |
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"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairman, Mr. Kolbe and Ranking Member, Ms. Lowey, for their support and leadership in ensuring appropriate funding for Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Thanks to their support, $65 million was allocated to Armenia in economic assistance, and an additional $5 million was allocated in military assistance. In addition, $5 million was secured for assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh. I'm pleased with these levels of aid, and I would like to reiterate my steadfast support for maintaining these levels, considering the current situation in Armenia, and the growth and development that the nation's economy has exhibited over the last few years.
"I am particularly pleased with the fact that parity was restored in the levels of military aid given to Azerbaijan and Armenia. When the Bush administration's FY 2005 budget was released, I was quite troubled that the President's Foreign Military Funding (FMF) request for Azerbaijan was four times as high as the FMF request for Armenia. This imbalance simply could not be allowed. Even though the President waived Section 907 in FY 2002, its principles and the commitments that were made at that time still remain fundamental to U.S. policy towards the South Caucuses. Moreover, because Azerbaijan continues its blockade of Armenia, it is more important than ever for maintaining Foreign Military Funding parity between these two nations.
"Additionally, it is essential that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh receive the aid and assistance they need. I support the language directing USAID to spend $5 million in FY 2005 for programs in Nagorno-Karabakh. This support is in our country ’s interests and helps alleviate poor conditions many of the people face there. I agree with the USAID Administrator who has testified before Congress about the importance of continuing the work of the agency in Nagorno-Karabakh. It is important for Congress to maintain a strong position on this funding to ensure that these programs continue.
"Finally, I fully support maintaining a high level of economic assistance to Armenia to help the country overcome the dual blockade by Azerbaijan and Turkey, which continues to impede Armenia's economic well-being. Despite the dual blockades by Azerbaijan and Turkey, Armenia continues to implement economic and democratic reforms, which have met success. While Armenia continues to make important reforms, as long as Armenia suffers from blockades on its east and west borders, continued and robust U.S. assistance to Armenia is necessary to help minimize their impact. Thus, maintaining this level of support is critical." |
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