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ANCA: Support Growing Among Congr. Candidates for PNTR for Armenia

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  • ANCA: Support Growing Among Congr. Candidates for PNTR for Armenia

    Armenian National Committee of America
    888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
    Washington, DC 20006
    Tel: (202) 775-1918
    Fax: (202) 775-5648
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Internet: www.anca.org

    PRESS RELEASE
    October 5, 2004
    Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
    Tel: (202) 775-1918

    SUPPORT GROWING AMONG CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES
    FOR EXPANDED U.S.-ARMENIA TRADE

    -- Responses to 2004 Candidate Questionnaires
    Reveal Strong Support for PNTR for Armenia

    WASHINGTON, DC - Congressional candidates from around the nation
    strongly support legislation aimed at expanding U.S.-Armenia trade
    relations, according to responses to multi-issue candidate
    questionnaires circulated this election season by the Armenian
    National Committee of America (ANCA).

    Challengers and incumbents from both parties have stressed their
    support for legislation that would grant Armenia Permanent Normal
    Trade Relations (PNTR) status. This measure, which is being
    spearheaded in the Senate by Senator Mitch McConnell and in the
    House by Congressman Joe Knollenberg, may win final approval before
    the Congress goes out of session this year.

    "Armenian Americans have been tremendously encouraged by the
    growing support for PNTR legislation for Armenia and remain hopeful
    that it will be enacted prior to the end of the Congressional
    session," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA.

    A sample of response on U.S.-Armenia trade is provided below to
    offer a sense of the strong bipartisan support for this issue:

    * Illinois Congressman John Shimkus, representing the southern
    part of the State, noted in his response to the ANCA Candidate
    Questionnaire: "I support extending permanent normal trade
    relations between the United States and Armenia as a means of
    strengthening the bonds and the commitment between our nations."

    * Congressman Eric Cantor, the Chief Deputy Majority Whip and a
    long-time friend of the Richmond Armenian community, explained
    that: "The ascension of Armenia to the World Trade Organization
    will begin to stabilize trade relations with the United States. It
    is a step in the right direction because free trade with Armenia
    will have a positive effect on not only the economy of that country
    but that of the United States as well. All free trade promotes job
    creation and economic growth throughout the world; by helping
    Armenia we are helping the American economy prosper."

    * First-term Congressman from Michigan, Thaddeus McCotter, who has
    already emerged as a leading member of the Armenian Caucus, stated
    that: "Our two great nations will only grow stronger by trading
    together. I signed a letter supporting Armenian PNTR in the House
    and will continue to work to see it signed into law."

    * Candidate Robert Neeld, from the Gulf Coast of Florida, is
    seeking to fill the seat vacated by new Director of Central
    Intelligence Porter Goss, wrote that: "Favorable trading agreements
    benefit both countries and would continue to stimulate Armenia's
    economy."

    The ANCA Congressional Candidate Questionnaire includes nine
    different questions on the topics of the Armenian Genocide; U.S.
    support for Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh; U.S.-Armenia economic
    relations; Self-determination for Nagorno Karabagh; Conditions on
    U.S. aid to Azerbaijan; the Turkish blockade of Armenia, and; the
    U.S. subsidy of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline bypass of Armenia.

    "As in past years, we are pleased that candidates for Congress have
    taken such full advantage of our questionnaires to speak directly
    to Armenian American voters on issues of special concern to our
    community," noted Hamparian.

    For an Adobe PDF version of the ANCA Questionnaire, visit:
    http://www.anca.org/election/candidate_questionnaires.asp
    or
    http://www.anca.org/assets/pdf/questionnaires/CQuest2004.pdf

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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