ANCA calls on U.S. Foreign Aid Panel to freeze on military aid to Azerbaijan

PanARMENIAN.Net - In testimony submitted to a key panel of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) outlined the Armenian American community's current foreign aid priorities and restated the continued support of Armenian Americans for international affairs programs that help expand the U.S.-Armenia relationship and promote stability throughout the region.

ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian, in remarks submitted to a hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, set forth the ANCA's policy recommendation for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2012 foreign aid bill currently under consideration by the panel.

Nahapetian, after opening her remarks by thanking the panel's Chairwoman, Kay Granger (R-TX), and Ranking Member, Nita Lowey (D-NY), noted that: "The U.S. and the Armenian governments have steadily expanded relations based on a history of shared values and common interests in a secure stable Caucasus and Caspian region."

She then offered suggestions for practical means of strengthen this partnership which included, at least $60 million in economic support funds for Armenia; at least $10 million in development aid to Nagorno Karabakh; the strengthening of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act and maintaining military aid parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan; the removal of barriers to U.S.-Nagorno Karabakh contacts and communications; support for the reinstatement of Nagorno Karabakh in the OSCE Minsk Group peace process; at least $10 million in military aid to Armenia.

Nahapetian called special attention to past efforts by the panel to help constrain Azerbaijan's leaders from escalating their threats and acts of aggression, noting that: "Despite past Foreign Operations conference report language urging all parties to refrain from threats of violence, which we welcomed, Azerbaijan has disregarded this request and instead has just threatened in March 2011 to shoot down civilian airplanes flying to Nagorno Karabakh, its President has repeated that “only the first stage of war is over,” and its Defense Minister stated in February 2011 that Azerbaijan is “seriously preparing” for war. The Subcommittee should seriously reconsider giving any military assistance to a country that threatens to commit terrorist acts by shooting down civilian aircraft. If military assistance is provided, the waiver authority granted to the President under Section 907 should be substantially limited."