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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andrew Souvall/Jennifer Cannata
June 29. 2005
(202) 225-4671
PALLONE LAUDS HOUSE APPROVAL OF $73.25 MILLION IN AID FOR ARMENIA, $5
MILLION FOR NAGORNO KARABAKH
Washington, D.C. --- The U.S. House of Representatives last night
approved $67.5 million in economic and $5.75 million in military
assistance to Armenia and up to $5 million in aid for Nagorno
Karabakh said U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), co-chairman of the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.
During a speech on the House floor, Pallone lauded the President and
his House colleagues for maintaining military assistance parity
between Armenia and Azerbaijan, approving $5.75 million for each
country.
"By allocating equal levels of military and security assistance to
both nations, the U.S. government will preserve its credibility as an
impartial and leading mediator in the continuing sensitive peace
negotiations for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Pallone said.
"Given the ongoing Azerbaijani blockades and threats to renew
military aggression against Armenia and Karabakh, it is critically
important that the Administration continue to promote balanced short-
and long-term policies that elevate regional cooperation and reduce
the risk of conflict in the South Caucasus region."
The funding for Armenia approved by the House was $12.5
million more than what was requested in the President's Fiscal Year
2006 (FY06) budget earlier this year. Pallone said the funding
reaffirms the United States' commitment to Armenia and ensures that
the relationship between our two countries grows stronger
economically and militarily.
"I'm pleased the House bill provides significantly more money to
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh than what President Bush requested in
his budget," Pallone said. "These funds are crucial as Armenia
continues to implement economic and democratic reforms in the
continued shadow of dual blockades."
Pallone also emphasized the need for Congress to maintain the
full $5 million in funding for Nagorno Karabakh, $2 million more than
what Congress appropriated last year. Pallone said funding provides
critical humanitarian assistance to Nagorno Karabakh, helping to fund
the rebuilding of homes, improving water supplies and healthcare and
providing income-generating opportunities for the most vulnerable
groups.
Pallone and U.S. Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA) spearheaded a
letter with 43 of their House colleagues calling on the members of
the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee to support the pro-Armenian
provisions in the funding bill.
-30-
Jennifer Karch Cannata
Press Secretary
Office of U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.
420 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4671 office
(202) 225-9665 fax
Contact: Andrew Souvall/Jennifer Cannata
June 29. 2005
(202) 225-4671
PALLONE LAUDS HOUSE APPROVAL OF $73.25 MILLION IN AID FOR ARMENIA, $5
MILLION FOR NAGORNO KARABAKH
Washington, D.C. --- The U.S. House of Representatives last night
approved $67.5 million in economic and $5.75 million in military
assistance to Armenia and up to $5 million in aid for Nagorno
Karabakh said U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), co-chairman of the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.
During a speech on the House floor, Pallone lauded the President and
his House colleagues for maintaining military assistance parity
between Armenia and Azerbaijan, approving $5.75 million for each
country.
"By allocating equal levels of military and security assistance to
both nations, the U.S. government will preserve its credibility as an
impartial and leading mediator in the continuing sensitive peace
negotiations for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Pallone said.
"Given the ongoing Azerbaijani blockades and threats to renew
military aggression against Armenia and Karabakh, it is critically
important that the Administration continue to promote balanced short-
and long-term policies that elevate regional cooperation and reduce
the risk of conflict in the South Caucasus region."
The funding for Armenia approved by the House was $12.5
million more than what was requested in the President's Fiscal Year
2006 (FY06) budget earlier this year. Pallone said the funding
reaffirms the United States' commitment to Armenia and ensures that
the relationship between our two countries grows stronger
economically and militarily.
"I'm pleased the House bill provides significantly more money to
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh than what President Bush requested in
his budget," Pallone said. "These funds are crucial as Armenia
continues to implement economic and democratic reforms in the
continued shadow of dual blockades."
Pallone also emphasized the need for Congress to maintain the
full $5 million in funding for Nagorno Karabakh, $2 million more than
what Congress appropriated last year. Pallone said funding provides
critical humanitarian assistance to Nagorno Karabakh, helping to fund
the rebuilding of homes, improving water supplies and healthcare and
providing income-generating opportunities for the most vulnerable
groups.
Pallone and U.S. Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA) spearheaded a
letter with 43 of their House colleagues calling on the members of
the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee to support the pro-Armenian
provisions in the funding bill.
-30-
Jennifer Karch Cannata
Press Secretary
Office of U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.
420 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4671 office
(202) 225-9665 fax