Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
April 4, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
KNOLLENBERG QUESTIONS SECRETARY RICE OVER ARMENIA-AZERI MILITARY AID
DISPARITY
Rep. Jackson Expresses Concern Over Decrease in Economic Assistance
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly commended Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues Co-Chair Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) today for
questioning Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on the disparity in
military funding to Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Administration’s
Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 budget.
During a hearing before the House Foreign Operations Subcommittee on
Appropriations, Knollenberg questioned Rice over the Administration’s
proposal to provide Azerbaijan with an approximately 20 percent increase
in military funding over neighboring Armenia.
In her response, Rice said that the issue of need and requirement is
handled on an individual basis and that the U.S. is working with both
governments. Rice also noted that the U.S. and Armenia recently signed a
five-year $235 million Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Compact which
will help Armenia reduce rural poverty. Rice also added that the U.S.
maintains good relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Knollenberg countered that the U.S. is a leading mediator in the Nagorno
Karabakh peace conflict, pointing out that a disparity in military
funding can damage U.S. credibility in the region.
Rice, answered in part, that slight differences in military assistance
can be tolerated between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Administration’s 2007 funding proposal for Foreign Military
Financing (FMF) calls for $4.5 million for Azerbaijan and only $3.5
million for Armenia. The proposed budget also recommends $885,000 for
Azerbaijan versus $790,000 for Armenia in International Military
Education and Training (IMET) assistance.
Congressman Jesse Jackson (D-IL) expressed concern over the decrease in
U.S. economic assistance to several countries including Armenia. Jackson
noted that the Administration requested $50 million in assistance to
Armenia in FY 2007 while Congress provided Yerevan with just under $75
million in FY 2006.
“We appreciate Congressman Knollenberg’s leadership on this critical
issue,” said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “Given the
ongoing bellicose statements emanating from Azerbaijan, the Assembly
will continue to fight to ensure that parity is reinstated.”
“We also commend Congressman Jackson for raising concerns about the
decrease to Armenia and will continue to work with our friends in
Congress to increase this request, especially in light of the ongoing
blockades by Turkey and Azerbaijan,” Ardouny continued.
The Armenian Assembly is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issue. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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