WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and George Radanovich (R-CA) called on their U.S. House colleagues today to join them in cosigning a letter calling on the leadership of the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee to support pro-Armenian provisions in the fiscal year 2007 foreign aid bill, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

This bipartisan expression of support, addressed to the panel’s Chairman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY), strengthens the hand of pro-Armenian members of the Subcommittee, most notably Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg, Steve Rothman (D-NJ), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and John Sweeney (R-NY). Rep. Sweeney, who joined the panel last year, is one of only two Members of Congress of Armenian heritage.

The letter notes that members of Congress are “deeply troubled” that the Administration’s request for military aid for Azerbaijan is considerably higher then the request for Armenia. By signing the letter, legislators will add their voice to the effort to ensure that the agreement struck in 2001 between the White House and Congress to keep aid levels to these two countries equal is fully respected. In addition, the letter calls for a hard earmark of at least $75 million for Armenia, a one-year $5 million allocation for Nagorno Karabagh, and the preservation of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act.

“We want to thank Congressmen Radanovich and Pallone in urging the Foreign Operations Subcommittee to support provisions in the fiscal year 2007 foreign aid bill of special importance to Armenian Americans,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We also value the advocacy for pro-Armenian issues from within this panel by Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg, the leadership of Chairman Jim Kolbe and Ranking Democrat Nita Lowey, and the support of Representatives Steve Rothman, John Sweeney, Mark Kirk, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Carolyn Kilpatrick, Chaka Fattah, and our other friends.”

The text of the Congressional letter is provided below.

March 17, 2006

The Honorable Jim Kolbe
Chairman
Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Appropriations
H-150, The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Nita Lowey
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Appropriations
1016 Longworth
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Kolbe and Ranking Member Lowey:

Thank you for your leadership on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations. As you prepare the FY2007 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, we write in support of Armenia and US-Armenia relations and we respectfully request that you consider the items described below in your bill.

Maintain Military Parity

We are deeply troubled that the Administration’s request for Foreign Military Financing (FMF), Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, De-mining and Related Assistance (NADR), and International Military Education and Training (IMET) funding for Azerbaijan is considerably higher then the request for Armenia. We believe that this imbalance simply cannot be allowed to occur.

Congress must ensure that Armenia’s level of FMF assistance is raised to $4.5 million, NADR assistance is raised to $4.8 million, and IMET assistance is raised to $855,000. U.S. policy toward the south Caucasus has been to maintain parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This policy was reached in agreement in Congress and was maintained by President Bush in last year’s budget proposal. A lack of military parity would undo this policy and weaken ongoing peace negotiations regarding Nagorno-Karabakh. Furthermore, we believe that any imbalance will contribute to further instability in the region if Congress does not ensure military parity. Therefore, we strongly urge you to include $4.5 million in FMF, $4.8 million in NADR, and $885,000 in IMET funding for Armenia in the FY2007 bill, equal to Azerbaijan.

Economic Assistance to Armenia

The dual blockades of Armenia by Azerbaijan and Turkey continue to impede Armenia’s economic well-being. Despite these blockades, Armenia continues to successfully implement economic and democratic reforms. As long as Armenia suffers from blockades on its east and west borders, continued and robust U.S. assistance to Armenia will be needed to help minimize their impact. Our assistance has provided an important positive effect and will continue to do so when provided at appropriate levels. For fiscal year 2006, $75 million was provided for Armenia. Maintaining this level of support is critical. Therefore, we request you include language ensuring that not less than $75 million in Economic Support Funds is appropriated for Armenia in Fiscal Year 2007.

Assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh

We thank you for your continued support for assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh. This support is in our country’s interests and helps alleviate the conditions of the Nagorno-Karabakh people. It is important for Congress to maintain a strong position on this funding to ensure that these programs continue. Therefore, we request you include language directing USAID to spend $5 million in Fiscal Year 2007 for programs in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Section 907

We request that you join us in opposing any changes to Section 907 in the fiscal year 2007 bill. Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act remains a fundamental element of U.S. policy toward the south Caucasus. Because Azerbaijan continues its blockade of Armenia, Section 907 is necessary. As you know, the FY2002 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act provided a limited and conditional waiver to Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act in order for the U.S. to effectively combat terrorism. Specifically, at the time, former Secretary of State Colin Powell asked for flexibility to counter terrorist elements and organizations operating within Azerbaijan. We strongly support Section 907 and request that you not make any further changes to this law.

We appreciate your consideration of these requests.

Sincerely,