Armenian Assembly of America
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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
KNOLLENBERG SPEARHEADS LEGISLATION TO BAR U.S. FUNDING FOR RAILROAD
LINKS THAT BYPASS ARMENIA
Washington, DC – 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.
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.
“We commend the leadership of Congressman Knollenberg and his
colleagues for introducing this measure,” said Assembly Board of
Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian. “The proposed railway is an
extension of Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s efforts to hinder Armenia’s
regional integration. The Assembly will block any attempt to
isolate Armenia and fight to ensure that it is included in regional
transportation routes which will benefit the entire South Caucasus
and promote security, trade and economic development.”
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.
NR#2005-079
Editor’s Note: Attached is Congressman Knollenberg’s statement on the
“South Caucasus Open Rail Link Act” as delivered before the House
of Representatives.
SPEECH OF HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG OF MICHIGAN IN THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2005 *
Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, 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.
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