U.S. LEGISLATORS ASKED TO BACK INCREASED AID TO ARMENIA AND NAGORNO KARABAKH
"Dear Colleague" letter circulated by Rep. Pallone Urges $60 million for Armenia; $10 million for Karabakh
May 16, 2011WASHINGTON, DC – Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) circulated a letter urging his U.S. House colleagues to support expanded U.S. aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, and a number of other pro-Armenia provisions in the Fiscal Year 2012 foreign aid bill, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
In his letter, Rep. Pallone, calls upon his fellow Representatives to join with him in co-signing a Congressional letter asking the bipartisan leadership of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations to support the inclusion of the following provisions:
— At least $60 million in economic support funds for Armenia.
— At least $10 million in development aid to Nagorno Karabakh.
— The strengthening of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act and maintaining military aid parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan.
— The removal of barriers to U.S.-Nagorno Karabakh contacts and communications.
— Support for the reinstatement of Nagorno Karabakh in the OSCE Minsk Group peace process.
— At least $10 million in military aid to Armenia.
Armenian Americans can urge their Representatives to cosign this letter by clicking here and sending them an ANCA WebMail.
In his letter urging his colleagues to take action, Rep. Pallone cites ongoing Azerbaijani aggression against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh as a primary reason to “enforce current law restricting military aid to Azerbaijan.” Rep. Pallone added that, “Short of this, the letter asks that parity in military financing between Armenia and Azerbaijan be restored. The President has broken this long-held policy in International Military Education and Training (IMET) funding for the two countries.”
Rep. Pallone goes on to note that, “U.S. funding has also been tremendously helpful in alleviating humanitarian crises in Nagorno Karabakh. We are thus requesting $10 million in aid for Nagorno-Karabakh and urging that aid be provided for humanitarian and developmental programs. We also ask for an end to any remaining restrictions on official government contact between the United States and Nagorno-Karabakh and that representatives of Nagorno Karabakh be reinstated in the ongoing Minsk Group Peace Process.”