  U.S. approves aid to Armenia, Karabakh  December 21, 2011 - 10:40 AMTPanARMENIAN.Net - The Senate and House finalized the Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12) U.S. foreign assistance package this past weekend, approving $40 million in U.S. assistance to Armenia, maintaining current funding levels for Nagorno Karabakh, and calling for military assistance parity for Armenia and Azerbaijan, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). "Armenian Americans want to thank all our friends among the memberships of the appropriating committees on both the House and Senate sides for enforcing military aid parity and for holding the line on aid to Armenia and Artsakh in the face of across the board cuts in America's foreign aid spending," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "We will, in the coming months, work to materially help families in the homeland, through increased aid to Armenia and a clear mandate for an expanded developmental aid program for Karabakh in the FY13 foreign aid bill, as well as, the granting of a second Millennium Challenge package to Armenia, and the negotiation of bilateral U.S.-Armenia economic accords to expand trade and foster job-creation." In terms of U.S. aid to the Caucasus, Congress approved President Obama's proposed economic assistance levels, including $40 million for Armenia, $16.6 million for Azerbaijan, and $66 million for Georgia. In a report accompanying the foreign aid bill, Senate and House conferees made specific mention that there should be parity in both Foreign Military Finance (FMF) and International Military Education and Training (IMET) levels to Armenia and Azerbaijan. While President Obama had requested $3 million in FMF funding for each country, the IMET funds he had proposed for Azerbaijan ($900,000) were twice that for Armenia. Congress also agreed to provide assistance for Nagorno Karabakh "at levels consistent with prior years, and for ongoing needs related to the conflict," while urging a "peaceful resolution of the conflict." U.S. assistance spending levels to Karabakh have been approximately $2 million a year, despite higher Congressional recommendations. ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian had outlined key community foreign aid priorities in testimony submitted to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations earlier this year.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia  Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28.Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia.Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports.Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |
