Tweet
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
1140 19th Street NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 393-3434
Fax: (202) 638-4904
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.aaainc.org
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
December 18, 2007
HOUSE APPROVES OMNIBUS BILL
INCLUDES $58.5 MILLION FOR ARMENIA AND REINSTATES MILITARY PARITY
Washington, DC - The House of Representatives last night approved the
Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Omnibus Spending Bill, reinstating military aid
parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan by allocating $3 million in Foreign
Military Financing (FMF) to both countries. Despite Azerbaijan's
continued war rhetoric throughout the year and exponential increase of
its military budget, the Administration had proposed to provide Baku
with $2 million more in military assistance (FMF and International
Military Education Training).
The Omnibus spending package, which combines 11 of the 12 annual
appropriations bills into one measure, provides some $516 billion in
federal funding, including $58.5 million in assistance to Armenia, an
increase of $23.5 million over the Administration's proposal, but less
than the nearly $75 million approved in FY 2007. Armenia's neighbors,
Azerbaijan and Georgia, are slated to receive $19 million and $50.5
million respectively.
Throughout the appropriations process, the Armenian Assembly advocated
for the highest level of assistance to Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh. In March, the Assembly was one of 16 organizations
invited to testify before a key House foreign aid panel, which decides
assistance levels to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
`The final number for Armenia represents a compromise between the
House and Senate funding levels approved earlier this year - $68
million and $39 million respectively,' stated Executive Director Bryan
Ardouny. `We appreciate the efforts of Subcommittee Chairwoman Nita
Lowey, (D-NY) and her colleagues with respect to the provisions
regarding Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. We must ensure that despite a
reduction in assistance that Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh have the
necessary resources to continue their progress in strengthening their
democratic institutions,' continued Ardouny.
The bill also includes renewed funding confidence building measures
for the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: `...funds made
available for the Southern Caucasus region may be used,
notwithstanding any other provision of law, for confidence-building
measures and other activities in furtherance of the peaceful
resolution of regional conflicts, especially those in the vicinity of
Abkhazia and Nagorno - Karabagh.'
In addition, the final measure provides continued funding for the
Millennium Challenge Account program (MCA), although reduced from $1.8
billion to $1.5 billion. Armenia, based on its record of performance
in key indicators, is a recipient of MCA with a five-year $235.65
million compact to reduce rural poverty and increase agricultural
productivity.
The agreement on the Omnibus Bill was reached late last week and
finalized over the weekend. The Senate is expected to begin
consideration of the bill today. Once passed by both chambers, the
bill will be sent to President Bush for his expected signature.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
NR#2007-142
1140 19th Street NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 393-3434
Fax: (202) 638-4904
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.aaainc.org
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
December 18, 2007
HOUSE APPROVES OMNIBUS BILL
INCLUDES $58.5 MILLION FOR ARMENIA AND REINSTATES MILITARY PARITY
Washington, DC - The House of Representatives last night approved the
Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Omnibus Spending Bill, reinstating military aid
parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan by allocating $3 million in Foreign
Military Financing (FMF) to both countries. Despite Azerbaijan's
continued war rhetoric throughout the year and exponential increase of
its military budget, the Administration had proposed to provide Baku
with $2 million more in military assistance (FMF and International
Military Education Training).
The Omnibus spending package, which combines 11 of the 12 annual
appropriations bills into one measure, provides some $516 billion in
federal funding, including $58.5 million in assistance to Armenia, an
increase of $23.5 million over the Administration's proposal, but less
than the nearly $75 million approved in FY 2007. Armenia's neighbors,
Azerbaijan and Georgia, are slated to receive $19 million and $50.5
million respectively.
Throughout the appropriations process, the Armenian Assembly advocated
for the highest level of assistance to Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh. In March, the Assembly was one of 16 organizations
invited to testify before a key House foreign aid panel, which decides
assistance levels to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
`The final number for Armenia represents a compromise between the
House and Senate funding levels approved earlier this year - $68
million and $39 million respectively,' stated Executive Director Bryan
Ardouny. `We appreciate the efforts of Subcommittee Chairwoman Nita
Lowey, (D-NY) and her colleagues with respect to the provisions
regarding Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. We must ensure that despite a
reduction in assistance that Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh have the
necessary resources to continue their progress in strengthening their
democratic institutions,' continued Ardouny.
The bill also includes renewed funding confidence building measures
for the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: `...funds made
available for the Southern Caucasus region may be used,
notwithstanding any other provision of law, for confidence-building
measures and other activities in furtherance of the peaceful
resolution of regional conflicts, especially those in the vicinity of
Abkhazia and Nagorno - Karabagh.'
In addition, the final measure provides continued funding for the
Millennium Challenge Account program (MCA), although reduced from $1.8
billion to $1.5 billion. Armenia, based on its record of performance
in key indicators, is a recipient of MCA with a five-year $235.65
million compact to reduce rural poverty and increase agricultural
productivity.
The agreement on the Omnibus Bill was reached late last week and
finalized over the weekend. The Senate is expected to begin
consideration of the bill today. Once passed by both chambers, the
bill will be sent to President Bush for his expected signature.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
NR#2007-142