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KNOLLENBERG SPEARHEADS LEGISLATION TO BAR U.S. FUNDING FOR
RAILROAD LINKS THAT BYPASS ARMENIA
WASHINGTON, DC, JULY 26. ARMINFO. - Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues Co- Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), along with Caucus Co-Chair
Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA), last
night introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that would
bar U.S. assistance for a proposed Kars-Akhalkalaki rail link which
isolates Armenia from East-West commercial corridors, the Armenian
Assembly of America reports.
H. R. 3361, also known as the South Caucasus Integration and Open
Railroads Act of 2005, would prohibit U.S. assistance for this
ill-proposed route which would link Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan
but not traverse Armenia. According to preliminary estimates,
constructing a new rail link would cost at least $400-800 million and
would be financed by the participating countries.
"Excluding Armenia from economic and commercial opportunities
undermines U.S. long-term interests in the region," said Congressman
Knollenberg. "The U.S. should not assist in promoting or developing
the proposed Kars-Akhalkalaki railroad, which bypasses Armenia,
ignores the existing Kars-Gyumri route, thwarts regional cooperation
and serves to destabilize the South Caucasus."
Armenian government officials have repeatedly said that a new railway
is unnecessary given that a railroad linking Armenia, Georgia and
Turkey already exists. The existing line is in working condition and
could be operational within weeks.
In his speech, Nollenberg says: "United States foreign policy toward
the South Caucasus nations is one of fostering regional stability and
enhanced cooperation. I rise today to bring attention to the great
injustice in relations in this region. * I speak today to stress my
opposition and to move forward with legislation contesting the
proposed railroad connecting Tbilisi, Georgia and Kars, Turkey. The
proposed railroad would systematically bypass Armenia, and push them
further into isolation. * As we all know, Turkey and Armenia have
their differences. Although it is counterproductive to list those
differences, instead I want to highlight the fact that it goes
against United States policy to be in a position that further
advances the turmoil in this region, The proposed legislation would
bar U.S. support and funding for a rail link connecting Georgia and
Turkey, but which directly averts Armenia. * Eight years ago, the
former Turkish president and the former Georgian president meant to
discuss the railroad that would open a third frontier crossing
between the two countries,'' providing further commerce and economic
opportunity for the South Caucasus region. Both countries would
benefit immensely from this railroad. * While I will always support
commerce-based proposals that spawn economic development around the
world, this proposal initiates commerce at the cost of another
country's economic development. This is unacceptable. * This railroad
would cost between $400-$800 million to construct, while a perfectly
workable and capable rail link already exists. It is evident to all
that this new rail system is being proposed for the specific reason
of diverting commerce around Armenia. * The construction of the
proposed railroad would be equivalent to the people of Ohio building
a new bridge to Canada just to avoid traveling through Michigan. The
United States government would never condone this action, and we
should not be in the practice of condoning the actions set forth by
the Turkish government. * The existing rail would be available for
use within weeks of an agreement between Armenia, Turkey, and
Georgia. Furthermore, the Armenian people are willing to forego using
the rail until normal relations with Turkey are established. Mr.
Speaker, although normal relations may still take some time, there is
no reason to further shut Armenia out of the equation. * Moreover,
the building of this railroad also highlights the ongoing struggle
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Known by all, Azerbaijan's main goal
is to strangle Armenia into submission of Nagorno- Karabakh. This
railroad does just that. * The United States and other countries
around the world, including Turkey, need to allow these two countries
to agree upon a solution regarding Nagorno-Karabakh. It is necessary
that third parties remain neutral. The proposed railroad not only
stunts the diplomatic progress between Armenia, Turkey and
Azerbaijan, it unnecessarily blocks Armenia's economic and political
progress. * I encourage my colleagues to look at the facts of this
situation. The existing rail link would be available essentially as
soon as possible and it would take a minimal amount of funding in
order to get it usable again. Whereas, a new rail link would take
months if not years to build, and would cost an estimated $400-$800
million. There should be no question as to which plan the United
States supports."
RAILROAD LINKS THAT BYPASS ARMENIA
WASHINGTON, DC, JULY 26. ARMINFO. - Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues Co- Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), along with Caucus Co-Chair
Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA), last
night introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that would
bar U.S. assistance for a proposed Kars-Akhalkalaki rail link which
isolates Armenia from East-West commercial corridors, the Armenian
Assembly of America reports.
H. R. 3361, also known as the South Caucasus Integration and Open
Railroads Act of 2005, would prohibit U.S. assistance for this
ill-proposed route which would link Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan
but not traverse Armenia. According to preliminary estimates,
constructing a new rail link would cost at least $400-800 million and
would be financed by the participating countries.
"Excluding Armenia from economic and commercial opportunities
undermines U.S. long-term interests in the region," said Congressman
Knollenberg. "The U.S. should not assist in promoting or developing
the proposed Kars-Akhalkalaki railroad, which bypasses Armenia,
ignores the existing Kars-Gyumri route, thwarts regional cooperation
and serves to destabilize the South Caucasus."
Armenian government officials have repeatedly said that a new railway
is unnecessary given that a railroad linking Armenia, Georgia and
Turkey already exists. The existing line is in working condition and
could be operational within weeks.
In his speech, Nollenberg says: "United States foreign policy toward
the South Caucasus nations is one of fostering regional stability and
enhanced cooperation. I rise today to bring attention to the great
injustice in relations in this region. * I speak today to stress my
opposition and to move forward with legislation contesting the
proposed railroad connecting Tbilisi, Georgia and Kars, Turkey. The
proposed railroad would systematically bypass Armenia, and push them
further into isolation. * As we all know, Turkey and Armenia have
their differences. Although it is counterproductive to list those
differences, instead I want to highlight the fact that it goes
against United States policy to be in a position that further
advances the turmoil in this region, The proposed legislation would
bar U.S. support and funding for a rail link connecting Georgia and
Turkey, but which directly averts Armenia. * Eight years ago, the
former Turkish president and the former Georgian president meant to
discuss the railroad that would open a third frontier crossing
between the two countries,'' providing further commerce and economic
opportunity for the South Caucasus region. Both countries would
benefit immensely from this railroad. * While I will always support
commerce-based proposals that spawn economic development around the
world, this proposal initiates commerce at the cost of another
country's economic development. This is unacceptable. * This railroad
would cost between $400-$800 million to construct, while a perfectly
workable and capable rail link already exists. It is evident to all
that this new rail system is being proposed for the specific reason
of diverting commerce around Armenia. * The construction of the
proposed railroad would be equivalent to the people of Ohio building
a new bridge to Canada just to avoid traveling through Michigan. The
United States government would never condone this action, and we
should not be in the practice of condoning the actions set forth by
the Turkish government. * The existing rail would be available for
use within weeks of an agreement between Armenia, Turkey, and
Georgia. Furthermore, the Armenian people are willing to forego using
the rail until normal relations with Turkey are established. Mr.
Speaker, although normal relations may still take some time, there is
no reason to further shut Armenia out of the equation. * Moreover,
the building of this railroad also highlights the ongoing struggle
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Known by all, Azerbaijan's main goal
is to strangle Armenia into submission of Nagorno- Karabakh. This
railroad does just that. * The United States and other countries
around the world, including Turkey, need to allow these two countries
to agree upon a solution regarding Nagorno-Karabakh. It is necessary
that third parties remain neutral. The proposed railroad not only
stunts the diplomatic progress between Armenia, Turkey and
Azerbaijan, it unnecessarily blocks Armenia's economic and political
progress. * I encourage my colleagues to look at the facts of this
situation. The existing rail link would be available essentially as
soon as possible and it would take a minimal amount of funding in
order to get it usable again. Whereas, a new rail link would take
months if not years to build, and would cost an estimated $400-$800
million. There should be no question as to which plan the United
States supports."