AZERI NGOs AGAINST US ASSISTANCE TO KARABAKH

PanARMENIAN.Net - A range of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of Azerbaijan have addressed the US State Department calling the US Government not to provide financial assistance to Nagorno Karabakh. The message says that the US Government providing financial assistance to "the self-proclaimed unit" causes serious concerns of the Azerbaijani society. The message says that such a move "can be considered as protection of separatism and disrespect of the laws of Azerbaijan." It should be reminded that for the first time in the US draft bill for fiscal year 2006 the Bush Administration mentioned Nagorno Karabakh as a separate item - not as part of either Armenia or Azerbaijan. It should be noted that the US plans to provide $5 million to Nagorno Karabakh as humanitarian assistance. Nagorno Karabakh is included in the "Eurasian region" section, the total aid volume to which makes $48.5 million.