HOUSE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE ADOPTS AMENDMENT TO BLOCK U.S. SUBSIDY FOR ARMENIA RAILROAD BYPASS
Yerevan, June 15. ArmInfo. The Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) [Ho.He. Dashnaktsytyan Washington-ee Hai Tahd-ee Krasenyag]
today welcomed the vote by a powerful Congressional panel to block
U.S. taxpayer funding for an unnecessary and costly proposed railroad
between Turkey and Georgia that would, if built, circumvent Armenia
and, in the process, undermine the economic viability of the existing
Caucasus railroad route through Armenia.
With a unanimous voice vote earlier today, the House Financial
Services Committee adopted the amendment offered by panel member
Joe Crowley (D-NY). The measure prohibits the Export-Import Bank from
providing any assistance "to develop or promote any rail connections or
railway-related connections that traverse or connect Baku, Azerbaijan;
Tbilisi, Georgia; and Kars, Turkey, and that specifically exclude
cities in Armenia."
"With this amendment, we are sending a message to the governments of
Turkey and Azerbaijan that continually excluding Armenia in regional
projects fosters instability," said Congressman Crowley. "Bypassing
Armenia is just another attempt to further suffocate this republic,
which has made great strides in democratic and economic reforms
notwithstanding its neighbors’ hostility. If the Caucasus region
is to move forward, we must ensure that all countries move forward
together at the same time."