WHITE HOUSE DID NOT KEEP ITS WORD
Congressmen insisting on keeping the parity in military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan are sure.
During the upcoming weeks hearings of the draft law on budgetary assignations for 2005 will be held in the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress. Secretary of State Colin Powell will deliver a speech. He is going to back the administration's proposal concerning military aid to be provided to certain developing countries. Several Congressmen doubt the figures presented by the White House. In particular, they do not understand why the executive power insists on providing more military aid to Azerbaijan than to Armenia.
In 2003 the administration envisaged $4 million for Armenia but after a year the White House initiated its reduction to $2.5 million. The Congress did not support the idea. As a result, the legislators agreed on $3 million 750 thousand (this sum was approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate). This time George Bush suggests being satisfied with $2 million. It is rather strange as the draft law envisages $8 million for military needs of Azerbaijan.
Member of the House of Representatives Grace Napolitano sent a letter of inquiry to Colin Powell questioning the disparity of the military aid to these two Southern Caucasus countries that were in a confrontation with each other. She would like to know the reasons of such a care towards the Azerbaijani army. She reminds Colin Powell that the disparity in military assistance is a violation of the understanding between the Administration and Congress regarding the waiver of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. The Congressmen kept their word and thanks to the concession made by the members of the Armenian group it became possible to solve the problem without unpleasant consequences. While the administration has forgot its promise. Ms. Napolitano asks Colin Powel, if the disparity is not a violation of the agreement.
The discussion of the draft law abut the budgetary assignment on 2005 will be accompanied by the pre-election campaign and this will undoubtedly leave its mark on the processes. It is not ruled out that the democrats will try to use the moment for attracting the electors of Armenian origins accusing George Bush and his administration of not keeping their word. At the same time the congressmen-republicans may also insist on keeping the parity in military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan. So, for the moment, the proposal contained in the draft law does not mean anything.
Member of the House of Representatives Grace Napolitano sent a letter of inquiry to Colin Powell questioning the disparity of the military aid to these two Southern Caucasus countries that were in a confrontation with each other. She would like to know the reasons of such a care towards the Azerbaijani army. She reminds Colin Powell that the disparity in military assistance is a violation of the understanding between the Administration and Congress regarding the waiver of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. The Congressmen kept their word and thanks to the concession made by the members of the Armenian group it became possible to solve the problem without unpleasant consequences. While the administration has forgot its promise. Ms. Napolitano asks Colin Powel, if the disparity is not a violation of the agreement.
The discussion of the draft law abut the budgetary assignment on 2005 will be accompanied by the pre-election campaign and this will undoubtedly leave its mark on the processes. It is not ruled out that the democrats will try to use the moment for attracting the electors of Armenian origins accusing George Bush and his administration of not keeping their word. At the same time the congressmen-republicans may also insist on keeping the parity in military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan. So, for the moment, the proposal contained in the draft law does not mean anything.
