Author: Vanyan Gary

ARMENIA-MACROECONOMY-STATISTICS-HALF YEAR-GDP
GDP IN ARMENIA INCREASED BY 11.9% PER YEAR AND MADE UP $1823.8 MLN
FOR JANUARY-JUNE, 2006
Yerevan, August 1. ArmInfo. The GDP in Armenia increased by 11.9%
in the first half, 2006, as compared to the same period , 2005, and
made up 809.5 bln drams ($1823.8 mln) in market prices. As ArmInfo
was told in RA National Statistical Service, this indicator in June
increased by 40.9% as compared to May (by current prices).
In general prices, the GDP volume in January-June, 2006, made up
717.. bln drams ($1615.6 mln). GDP growth is mainly conditioned on
considerable increase of construction volumes by 31.8% per year (the
volume made up 165.6 bln drams or $373.1 mln, having increased by 25.6%
for June), of the agriculture gross output volume by 7.2% per year
(118.9 bln drams or $267.9 mln, having increased by 68.4% for June. The
population incomes increased by 17.5% per year (in January-June, 2006)
and by 6.4% for July to 685.2 bln drams or $1543.7 mln. The volume
of retail turnover increased by 12.1% per year and by 2.1% for June
to 320.7 bln drams or $722.6 mln. The population incomes increased
by 19.3% per year to 686.1 bln drams or $1545.7 mln which is higher
than the May indicator by 1.3%. The average monthly nominal salary
increased by 21.6% per year and by 0.1% in June to 59618 drams or $134.
The volume of electric power production reduced by 13.3% in June,
and by 7% in January-June to 3117.3 mln kW/h, as compared to the same
period, 2005, the volume of industrial products reduced by 1% per
year and increased by 2.5% for June to 300.7 bln drams or $677.4 mln.
By the volume of cargo turnover, an annual fall by 3.7% is fixed and
the June fall by 0.1% to 1070.5 mln tons-km.
The volume of foreign trade increased by 12.6% per year and by 4.9%
in June to 614.9 mln drams or $1388.9 mln. In its structure, the
volume of export for June increased by 16% and in January-June,
as compared to the same period, 2005, reduced by 0.6% to 193.3 bln
drams or $437.7 mln. The volume of export, without consideration of
the diamonds account, increased by 23.1% per year to $1159.1 mln. The
volume of import increased by 19.9% per year and by 0.3% for June to
421.6 bln drams or $951.2 mln. Without consideration of the diamonds
account, this indicator increased by 30.5% per year to $834.3 mln.
The average settlement rate of RA Central Bank for January-June,
2006, made up 443,87 AMD/$1 USD.

PRESS RELEASE
The Heritage Party
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 58.08.77, 52.22.38
Fax: (+374 – 10) 54.38.97
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website:
August 1, 2006
HERITAGE HOLDS FOURTH PARTY CONGRESS:
VARDAN KHACHATRIAN ELECTED BOARD CHAIRMAN
Yerevan–The Heritage Party convened today its fourth annual congress at the
auditorium of the Writers’ Union of Armenia. The conference was called to
discuss the party’s accomplishments–despite countless roadblocks placed by
the sitting authorities against normal party operations–to draw attention
to its shortfalls, and to outline future courses of action.
Heritage’s political secretary Vardan Khachatrian welcomed the capacity
audience with opening remarks. He mentioned that 600 delegates from Yerevan
and across Armenia were expected to take part in the congress, but that the
space limitations of the hall had allowed for only 213. “Despite a series of
formal requests sent to the government, the latter refused to provide us
access to any of the rooms at its disposal and routinely made available for
such meetings,” Khachatrian asserted. “Fear seems to have become a political
category in Armenia.”
The congress opened with the singing of Armenia’s national anthem, “Mer
Hairenik.” The delegates then approved the day’s agenda, and the convention’
s Secretariat and its Credentials and Editorial Commissions were elected.
The first speaker was Heritage board member Anahit Bakhshian, who presented
an accounting of the board’s activities since last the party convened.
Bakhshian maintained that against the backdrop of domestic multi-party
politics, numerous impediments and incidences of repression, and an
imperfect atmosphere surrounding the political opposition in Armenia, the
Heritage Party was able to find its rightful place, keep its ethical
character untainted, and remain faithful to its agenda and values. In short
time, the number of party members has doubled to five thousand, new regional
divisions have opened, and more than five scores of public meetings have
been organized. That the party exceeded the fifty percent success mark in
last year’s local elections, said Bakhshian, can be attributed to its direct
contact with the people–both in principle and in fact.
“Opportunists and informants have no place among us. Our goal is to turn
Heritage into an arena for decent citizens, a community which will assume
the mission of forming a civilized, democratic, and highly developed
society,” Bakhshian said. She also noted that the party must prepare for the
2007 parliamentary elections and will support fair and transparent elections
as the only legitimate path to progress.
Following the approval of the board’s report, Raffi K. Hovannisian, chairman
of the Heritage Party, was invited to take the floor. In a powerful keynote
address, he specified the benchmarks of the party’s future, discussed the
state of Armenia within and beyond its borders, and set down forthcoming
measures and priorities that would keep real and relevant the party’s goals
through meeting new challenges.
In Hovannisian’s view, the Heritage Party convenes its fourth congress
having attained a stage of distinct organizational know-how. It has been
enriched with the experience of hard work and the bitter yet enlightening
lessons from our daily lives. “The party’s human potential has grown not
artificially, nor by the use of financial and administrative levers, nor on
the account of transparent political benevolence, but rather through inner
conviction, conscience, and a noble drive,” Hovannisian stated, underscoring
that our national well-being will not be served to us on a silver platter,
but that it must be labored for and earned by all Armenians in our quest to
strengthen the foundations of statehood.
“The ruling administration, which only operates for self-interest, must be
met with common rationality, high consciousness, and readiness to sacrifice
for the cause.” This, according to Heritage’s chairman, is the key for the
transformation of state and society. The road chosen and traveled by, in
Hovannisian’s belief, is laden with thorns, but the party cannot and will
not resign its mission. In his words, the harmony between the individual and
the collective, the alliance of the private and the national, the desire for
freedom coupled with and actualized by an unyielding determination to fight
for right will help us forge Armenia’s tomorrow, tend to its shared legacy,
and fulfill its sacred national purpose.
After the keynote remarks, Hovsep Khurshudian, chairman of Heritage’s
Constitutional Commission, presented its report and offered motions to amend
the party’s Charter. Approved by open ballot, these changes did away with
the elected post of party chairman, replacing it with a chairperson elected
by the board from among its members.
At the end of the first session, the delegates made nominations for new
membership in the party’s executive board. Through secret ballot, the
congress elected as board members teacher and Artsakh war veteran Davit
Badalian; high school principal Anahit Bakhshian; sociologist Dolores
Davtian; theology professor Vardan Khachatrian; electrical engineer Gevorg
Kalenchian; physics professor Rafik Hakobian; Armenia’s first Minister of
Foreign Affairs Raffi Hovannisian; teacher and judo trainer Armen
Martirosian; and pharmacist Garnik Sahakian.
In the convention’s second session, the 2005-2006 report by the Audit
Commission was approved, and new Constitutional and Audit Commissions were
elected. The Constitutional Commission comprises Hovsep Khurshudian, Arthur
Harutiunian, Sargis Manukian, Armen Martirosian, and Gayane Poghosian. The
Audit Commission includes Arthur Galstian, Karapet Kalenchian, Asia
Hambardzumian, Mamikon Sargsian, and Armine Vardanian.
The Heritage Party congress also adopted a resolution expressing concern
about unjust and undemocratic elections, which continue to reproduce the
ruling clan. “As a consequence of the unreliability of the electoral system,
the formation of power in Armenia is dependent on external forces and, being
answerable solely to them, the incumbent authorities are reticent to conduct
policies and make decisions that are in the country’s national and sovereign
interests,” the resolution states. The party asserts that the accrued
adverse phenomena pose an enormous threat to Armenia’s sovereignty,
democratization, national security, and stable development. Hence, the
regional situation today compels each of us to become “not a subject but a
citizen, not a government discard who is demeaned psychologically and
crushed by poverty and privation, but a proud, dignified, and spiritual
human being” for whom liberty is the value supreme.
Following the congress, the newly elected executive board of the Heritage
Party convened its first meeting wherein Vardan Khachatrian was elected
chairman of the board upon the motion of Raffi Hovannisian.
Founded in 2002, Heritage has regional divisions throughout the land. Its
central headquarters are located at 7 Vazgen Sargsian Street, Yerevan 0010,
Armenia, with telephone contact at (374-10) 580.877, fax at (374-10)
543.897, email at [email protected], and website at

ARKADY GHOUKASSIAN AND SHAVARSH KOCHARIAN DISCUSS
PROSPECTS OF NAGORNO KARABAKH PROBLEM PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT
STEPANAKERT, JULY 31, NOYAN TAPAN- ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 31, NKR
President Arkady Ghoukassian received RA MP, Chairman of the National
Democratic Party Shavarsh Kocharian.
As NT was informed by the Acting Spokesperson for NKR President,
the meeting participants exchanged thoughts about a number of issues
relating to Nagorno Karabakh settlement, NKR socio-economic development
and extension of Armenia-Artsakh interparliamentary contacts.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
July 29, 2006 Saturday 2:22 PM EST
Record number of athletes, countries for European championship
DPA SPORTS Athletics Euro Record number of athletes, countries for
European championship Hamburg
A record 1,370 athletes from 48 counties are
entered for the upcoming European athletics championships in
Gothenburg, Sweden, the ruling body EAA announced on Saturday.

The EAA said that the number of athletes is more than 100 above
those competing 1998 in Budapest and in 2002 in Munich. The last
edition saw 47 countries competing, with 48 for the August 7-13
edition in Sweden a new top mark.

Serbia and Montenegro will each send athletes after the recent
political split and acceptance as two EAA member federations. The
only countries not to compete in Gothenburg are Armenia and
Liechtenstein.

Russia, which dominated the 2002 edition with eight gold and 24
overall medals, sends the biggest team with 118 athletes, followed by
Germany (90), Spain (87), France and Britain (85 each).

AZG Armenian Daily #142, 29/07/2006

Foreign Relations
VAHID ERDEM SENDS SECOND COMPLAINT AGAINST TIGRAN
TOROSIAN TO PA NATO
Vahid Erdem, First Vice Speaker of RA NATO, chairman of the Turksih
delegation to PA NATO, sent a complaint against Tigran Torosian,
Speaker of RA National Assembly, to the PA NATO. “In June, I sent the
first complaint against Tigran Torosian who insulted me PA NATO. In
his turn, Torosian also sent a complaint to PA NATO against me. I
received a letter about that and sent my second letter of complaint,”
Erdem said. It’s worth mentioning that Erdem was in Yerevan in mid
June. After his visit to Armenia, he began complaining that they
treated him bad in Armenia, particularly, he had no personal guards
and driver. In response to his complaints, Torosian said that none of
the NATO PA delegates was given a personal driver and added that
Armenia is a democratic party and its guests can easily and safely
stay in Armenia without any guards.

Armenians criticize Azeri foreign minister’s Karabakh statement

Arminfo
27 Jul 06
Yerevan, 27 July: Judging by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov’s statements on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict,
there is an impression that this person is talking about issues he
has absolutely nothing to do with, the Foreign Ministry said in a
statement.
There is an impression that Azerbaijan is still suffering from myths
which it has created itself and which no-one believes or takes
seriously, the statement says. The sooner Azerbaijan abandons these
myths, the sooner it will be possible to ensure stability and an
atmosphere of tolerance in the region.
We should recall that the Azerbaijani foreign minister said that a
referendum to establish the status of Nagornyy Karabakh will be
nothing other than a public opinion poll.

EU Observer, Belgium
July 28, 2006
EU gives glimmer of enlargement hope for South Caucasus states
28.07.2006 – 14:34 CET | By Andrew Rettman
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – EU member states have agreed to insert subtle
pro-enlargement wording into so-called action plans governing future
relations with South Caucasus countries Georgia and Armenia, as
regional tensions simmer over Georgian police action in the breakaway
region of Abkhazia.
The EU action plans – set to be adopted in October – are now likely
to carry the phrase that “The EU takes note that [these countries]
have expressed their European aspirations” with member states’
ambassadors finally coming to agreement after “some discussion” on
Thursday (27 July).
The meaning of the wording is open to debate, with a Finnish EU
presidency official saying “It’s not that sensitive. I mean we are
not talking about enlargement. It’s semantics. You can ponder whether
the aspirations refer to EU membership or European values in the
metaphysical sense.”
But diplomats from the South Caucasus states are reading the text as
a step toward ever-closer EU integration with a potential target of
membership 10 to 15 years from now. “This simply means that Armenia
respects European values in the political and economic sphere,” an
Armenian diplomat said. “But membership is our ultimate goal.”
Western European public opinion has turned against enlargement,
especially in the Netherlands and France, following the no-votes on
the EU constitution last year.
Ukraine is currently battling to get the phrase “the EU recognises
the European aspirations” of Kiev into its draft partnership
agreement with the EU for 2007 and beyond. Commenting on the South
Caucasus wording, an EU diplomat said “That’s not any commitment, but
it’s the minimum the EU could do.”
The draft action plans also allow Georgia and Armenia the option to
formally “align themselves” with “some” future EU statements on
common foreign and security policy topics, despite objections from
the French ambassador that this could lead to cherry-picking and loss
of coherence on EU foreign policy issues.
Azerbaijan – the third South Caucasus country currently negotiating
an action plan with the EU – was not included in the “aspirations”
and foreign policy alignment discussion because it did not request to
have either clause in its action plan text.
The South Caucasus is an important energy route for future gas and
oil pipelines from the Caspian Sea basin to the EU, with a so-called
“trojka” of high-level European Commission and EU presidency
officials planning to go to the region to conclude the action plan
deal in October.
Abkhazia shooting stops
Meanwhile, the Georgian ambassador in Brussels – Salome Samadashvili
– said shooting has stopped in the Kodori Gorge in the breakaway
Georgian region of Abkhazia, but added Georgian police officers on
Friday captured five more rebel fighters and will stay in the area
“for some time.”
Georgian police entered the gorge on Tuesday to unseat local militant
leader Emzar Kvitsiani and reinstall Abkhazian local government
officials after their 12-year long exile in Tbilisi. “Kvitsiani was
running the gorge as a personal fiefdom, extorting money and goods
from local people,” the Georgian ambassador said.
Tbilisi has pledged it remains committed to a peaceful resolution of
the Abkhazia conflict, but separatist leaders in the Abkhazian
capital of Sukhumi broke off talks with Georgia on Friday while
Russian general Valery Yevnevich – who has “peacekeeping” troops in
the zone – has warned his soldiers will fire back if attacked.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are monitoring the situation, with Baku giving
full support to Tbilisi’s “anti-terrorist operations” on its own
“sovereign territory.” The EU has not so far officially reacted to
the Kodori operation – which left one woman dead – but Brussels is
“concerned” about potentially worsening instability in its Black Sea
neighbourhood.

ACCORDING TO WB DATA, FREQUENCY OF BRIBING BY ARMENIAN COMPANIES REMAINS UNCHANGED
YEREVAN, JULY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the latest evaluations of
the World Bank, the frequency of bribing by Armenian companies in 2005
as compared with 2002 has remained unchanged. At the same time, the
WB report titled “Fighting Corruption in Countries with Transitional
Economy” read that in Armenia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan the data of
2002 and 2005 are almost the same, which shows that corruption is not
considered such a serious problem there as in another CIS countries.
In spite of the fact that in Croatia, Lithuania, Armenia and Hungary
the proportion of bribes’ “tax load” in the revenues of companies
has not essentially changed in the above mentioned three years,
the quick growth of these countries’ economies gives an occasion
to suppose that the total amount of resources spent on bribes have
considerably increased in this period.
According to WB’s survey on business environment and entrepreneurial
activity, in the period from 2002 to 2005 corruption as a problem
impeding business has been considerably mitigated in Bulgaria, Latvia,
Slovakia, Ukraine, Georgia and Slovenia, whereas the situation in
Albania, Russia and Azerbaijan has considerably worsened and in
Armenia and Macedonia it has become a more serious problem.

PREMIERE OF LOS ANGELES DOCUMENTARY BY COMPOSER ART MOKATS RESIDING IN
AMERICA TO BE HELD IN AUGUST IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, JULY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The premiere of “Los Angeles” or
“10-1/2 Minutes Confession” documentary by talented composer Art
Mokats residing in America will be held in August in Yerevan on the
initiative of the Armenian Music Center. As NT correspondent was
informed at the Armenian Music Center, the film shooting started
as early as in 1995. But, for some reasons it stopped for several
years and they managed to completely finish shooting only this year.
The Americans themselves present their daily life in the film.
Music by Art Mokats is performed in the “10-1/2 Minutes Confession”
documentary, which received a special prize in the “original music”
nomination at the Aurora competition held in 2001 in the American
Salt Lake City.
To recap, part of the gain from sale of tickets in Yerevan will be
given to the Pyunik union of disabled.

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
July 25, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
HOUSE AFFIRMS POLICY OF REGIONAL COOPERATION
Rejects Attempts to Isolate Armenia
Washington, DC – The House of Representatives today voted to help
ensure that U.S. regional cooperation and economic integration is
maintained by making certain that no Export-Import funding is used for
a railroad project sponsored by the Turkish and Azeri governments that
seeks to exclude Armenia from economic and regional transportation
opportunities.

Lawmakers approved H.R. 5068, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization
Act of 2006, which included an amendment by Congressman Joseph Crowley
(D-NY), along with Congressmen Edward Royce (R-CA) and Brad Sherman
(D-CA), ensuring that taxpayer dollars will not be spent on efforts
that would isolate Armenia – which is already facing dual blockades by
Turkey and Azerbaijan.
The amendment, which was unanimously approved by the House Financial
Services Committee last month, states that “The Bank shall not
guarantee, insure, extend credit, or participate in an extension of
credit in connection with the development or promotion of any rail
connections or railway-related connections that do not traverse or
connect with Armenia, and do traverse or connect Baku, Azerbaijan,
Tbilisi, Georgia, and Kars, Turkey.”
In a statement submitted for the House record, Crowley said “This
language will assist in promoting stability in the Caucasus region,
help in ending long standing conflicts, and save U.S. taxpayers the
responsibility of funding a project that goes against U.S. interests.”
Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), who spoke in favor of H.R. 5068
on the House floor, said “I support the provisions which would
prohibit the Export-Import Bank from funding railroad projects in the
South Caucasus region that deliberately exclude Armenia.”
The Crowley-Royce-Sherman provision was modeled after H.R. 3361, the
South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act, both of which the
Assembly strongly supports. The legislation, which also has a Senate
counterpart, would prohibit U.S. assistance for the promotion or
development of a railroad that would connect the three countries and
exclude Armenia. The House bill, introduced by Armenian Caucus
Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), along with Co-Chair Frank Pallone,
Jr. (D-NJ) and Caucus Member George Radanovich (R-CA), currently has
87 cosponsors.
The proposed bypass railway is estimated to cost upwards of $800
million and is expected to take years to construct. The existing line,
which crosses Armenia, is in working condition and could be
operational in a matter of weeks at very little cost. Armenian
government officials have repeatedly said that a new costly railway is
unnecessary given that a railroad linking Armenia, Georgia and Turkey
already exists.
“Passage of H.R. 5068 with the Crowley-Royce-Sherman provision, which
was modeled after H.R. 3361 helps ensure that the U.S. will not be
party to the flawed policies of Armenia’s neighbors,” said Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny.
Ardouny also drew a parallel to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and
noted that when the pipeline was first announced, it was in the
context of supporting multiple pipelines but instead all routes
bypassed Armenia.
“This time we must ensure that Armenia is not bypassed,” Ardouny said.
Recently, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried reiterated
U.S. policy in the South Caucasus which seeks to promote regional
cooperation and economic integration.
“The U.S. Government strongly encourages regional integration in the
Caucasus, including in our discussions with Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Turkey, and other countries in the region,” Fried said. “Removing
trade barriers would improve regional integration and enhance economic
cooperation and development. The proposed railway would bypass
Armenia and thus not be beneficial to regional integration.”
Similarly, Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse explained that “Because
the proposed railway would bypass Armenia, and thus not be beneficial
to regional integration, we have no plans to support such a railway
financially.”
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told an Azeri news agency last
summer that, “We are currently working on a new project – a new rail
road Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku..If we succeed with this project,
the Armenians will end in complete isolation, which would create an
additional problem for their future, their already bleak future…”
Meanwhile, a meeting of transport ministers from Azerbaijan, Turkey
and Georgia, slated for mid-June, was postponed following action by
the U.S. Congress to prohibit American companies from participating in
the railway construction. The meeting is scheduled to take place on
July 27 in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The Export-Import Bank is a federal government agency which provides
loans, loan guarantees and insurance to support exports of U.S. goods
and services to international markets.
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#2006-070
Editor’s note: Attached is the text of Congressman Crowely’s statement
for the record.
EXPORT-IMPORT REAUTHORIZATION STATEMENT Congressman Joseph Crowley
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
* Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Export-Import Bank
Reauthorization under suspension vote today.
* This is a sound, bipartisan bill.
* So often, people see the acrimonious side of this House rife with
partisanship and member distrust.
* We do not have that on the Financial Services Committee, and that is
due in large part to the leadership of our Chairman Mike Oxley and
our Ranking Member Barney Frank.
* While I am working hard to see Barney become our Chairman in the
110th Congress, I just want to salute our outgoing Chair, Mike
Oxley.
* He is a hard working member who is not afraid to roll up his sleeves
and work with people across the aisle to get the important work
done.  he is results orientated.
* Legislatively, he has a long list of accomplishments to be proud of,
including this bill, but it is his spirit of bipartisanship,
friendship and class for which we should all look to him for.
* But he can also be a formidable foe, from the Committee room to the
baseball diamond.
* He will be missed next year.
* Stating that I do support this bipartisan bill — it is a real jobs
bill.
* This bill will strengthen the Export-Import Bank’s abilities to
allow American companies to compete in the global market as we try
to increase our exports, increase our global competitiveness and
create more and better paying jobs in the USA.
* This is a bill about exporting products not jobs.
* Additionally, besides the overall nature of this bill, I was able to
add important language to this reauthorization pertaining to the
nation of Armenia – a strong US ally in the Caucasus.
* My amendment, done with Congressmen Ed Royce and Brad Sherman,
prohibits the Export-Import Bank from funding any railway projects
from Azerbaijan, through Georgia and Turkey, which specifically
bypasses Armenia.  I am very pleased that this language was included
in the final version of this legislation being debated on the House
floor today.
* This language will assist in promoting stability in the Caucasus
region, help in ending long standing conflicts, and save
U.S. taxpayers the responsibility of funding a project that goes
against U.S. interests.
* For over 10 years, Armenia has fought an illegal blockade, imposed
on them by the countries of Turkey and Azerbaijan.  These two
countries continually exclude Armenia from regional development.
* Just recently, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia finished construction
on the Baku -Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline. This pipeline does not pass
through Armenia, even though the fastest and most economically sound
route is through the country. 
* Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia now plan on constructing a railway
that will completely bypass Armenia once again; once again excluding
Armenia from regional development. 
* Exclusion of one country in regional projects only fosters
instability.  Having Export-Import Bank support a railway project
which excludes Armenia is not the way to include all countries in
regional development.  I am pleased that the Bank is now prohibited
from doing so in this bill.
* Besides possibly creating a regional crisis, this project, if funded
by the Export-Import Bank could cost taxpayers millions.  I do not
believe that U.S. taxpayers should be funding a project that goes
against U.S. interests.
* I am pleased this good language was added to an already good bill –
a jobs bill for America.
* Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support the Export-Import
Reauthorization. 
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