Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE
October 9, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
ASSEMBLY HAILS HOUSE PASSAGE OF ARMENIA PNTR BILL
Senate Set to Vote Next
Washington, DC – One of the Armenian Assembly’s highest priorities –
normalizing trade relations between the United States and Armenia – won
passage in the House of Representatives late last night as part of a
comprehensive trade measure, known as the Miscellaneous Trade and
Technical Corrections Act
“The Assembly welcomes tonight’s action passing Armenia PNTR and thanks
House Ways and Committee Chairman Bill Thomas for his crucial support,”
said Assembly Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian. “We commend
him and the Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank
Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) for their leadership and steadfast efforts to deepen
the U.S.-Armenia trade relationship.”
“The ongoing Turkish and Azeri blockades are two strikes against Armenia’s
ability to prosper as a free-market economy, so any U.S. trade benefits,
such as those resulting from the removal of the trade restrictions, are
helpful,” Hovnanian added. “It is our hope the Senate will pass this
legislation at its earliest opportunity.”
PNTR, known as “permanent normal trade relations” would remove a nearly
30-year-old provision requiring Armenia and other countries to
periodically obtain presidential approval for continued access to low
tariffs. In so doing, it would signal an upgrade in Armenia’s status as a
trading partner and should lead to additional trade agreements between the
United States and Armenia
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI)
and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) first introduced the legislation known as
H.R. 528 in February 2003, which passed the House of Representatives later
that year. The Assembly for its part, helped push the measure through by
working to secure the co-sponsorship of more than 100 lawmakers from both
sides of the political aisle.
“The PNTR bill has been an Assembly priority throughout the 108th Congress
and when enacted will be the first Armenia specific legislation passed
since the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act in 1996,” said Assembly Board of
Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian. “The efforts of the bill’s sponsor
Joe Knollenberg, along with Reps. William Thomas and Frank Pallone, Jr.
also paved its passage. Key support from Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY),
the ranking Democrat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee was
also instrumental.”
Last year, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) along with Senators Paul
Sarbanes (D-MD) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced S. 1557, which was
modeled after the House version of Armenia PNTR. This measure has the
bipartisan support of over 20 cosponsors.
“The Assembly thanks Senators McConnell, Sarbanes and Boxer for helping
strengthen U.S.-Armenia trade relations,” said Hovnanian. “We also
greatly appreciate Senators McConnell and Sarbanes for raising the issue
and discussing the merits of the bill during a pan-Armenian conference
held by the Assembly, AGBU and Eastern and Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church.”
During that same conference, the Bush Administration made its first public
endorsement of the trade bill. Ambassador Elizabeth Jones, Assistant
Secretary of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, who delivered
the news, said “The U.S. government supports extending Permanent Normal
Trade Relations to Armenia and will support Congressional efforts to
graduate Armenia from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment to the Trade Act.”
Last April, Hovnanian together with former Board of Directors Chairman
Peter Vosbikian sent a letter Congressman Philip M. Crane (R-IL), Chairman
of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, calling for the
extension of PNTR to Armenia and stated that the country is an
increasingly important partner for the U.S. and poised to play a pivotal
role as a commercial hub.
The Assembly also designed an aggressive campaign that hinged on the
support of the Armenian community. Part of the strategy included a phone
banking session last summer in which the Assembly contacted
Armenian-American constituents across the nation, urging them to call
their Members of Congress and support Armenia PNTR.
The PTNR issue was also at the forefront of every community forum, in
cities and towns across the U.S. Assembly Board Members and staff
provided legislative updates and answered questions regarding the bill and
its benefits for Armenia. They reminded activists, for example, that
although Armenia acceded into the World Trade Organization (WTO), a
144-member international trade body, in February 2003, the full benefits
of accession would not be realized unless PNTR was granted.
(Participation in the Geneva-based organization will offer Armenia lower
trade barriers and increased opportunity for trade.) The Assembly touted
the government of Armenia’s economic reforms which led to its entry in the
WTO.
The next step in the legislative process is for the Senate to vote.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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