Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE
May 7, 2009
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
ADMINISTRATION BUDGET CUTS AID TO ARMENIA, BREAKS MILITARY PARITY AND
PROMISE
Washington, DC – Just two weeks after President Barack Obama failed to
uphold his campaign promise to squarely reaffirm the historical fact of
the Armenian Genocide, the president, in his Fiscal Year (FY) 2010
International Affairs budget request, broke another promise by cutting
aid to Armenia, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).
The budget request also increased aid to Azerbaijan and overturned
long-standing Congressional policy with respect to military parity
between Armenian and Azerbaijan.
"This budget is fundamentally flawed," said Bryan Ardouny, Assembly
Executive Director. "It is incomprehensible that a country which already
has billions of dollars in oil and gas revenue would receive an increase
in U.S. funding while the neighbor it blockades sees its funding
decrease. This budget request not only undercuts what Congress has
appropriated, but does not help strengthen stability in the South
Caucasus," added Ardouny. "In addition, this does not send the right
message to Armenia, an ally whose relationship with the U.S. was
described this week by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as ‘a very
lasting and durable one,’" concluded Ardouny.
On the campaign trail in 2008, then-Senator Obama issued a statement
which read:
As President, I will maintain our assistance to Armenia, which has been
a reliable partner in the fight against terrorism and extremism. I will
promote Armenian security by seeking an end to the Turkish and
Azerbaijani blockades, and by working for a lasting and durable
settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict that is agreeable to all
parties, and based upon America’s founding commitment to the principles
of democracy and self determination. And my Administration will help
foster Armenia’s growth and development through expanded trade and
targeted aid, and by strengthening the commercial, political, military,
developmental, and cultural relationships between the U.S. and Armenian
governments.
The proposed FY 2010 budget cut funding to Armenia recommending $30
million in Economic Assistance, a decrease from FY 2009 level of $48
million. Additionally, the budget did not include funding for Nagorno
Karabakh, while in FY 2009 Congress approved $8 million.
The Administration’s FY 2010 funding proposal for Foreign Military
Financing (FMF) calls for $4 million for Azerbaijan and only $3 million
for Armenia. The proposed budget also suggests $900,000 for Azerbaijan
versus $450,000 for Armenia in International Military Education and
Training (IMET) assistance.
Ardouny stated that the Assembly will work with its friends in Congress
to reverse this proposal on all levels. In previous years, the combined
effort of the Assembly and the Armenian-American community has resulted
in continuous security aid parity.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.
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