House Subcommittee Maintains Military Aid Parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Early reports from Capitol Hill sources indicate that the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations today approved by voice vote to maintain military assistance parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan, despite the Bush Administration's request to break the parity agreement and provide 40% more in assistance to Azerbaijan, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.)
Sources on Capitol Hill reported that the key foreign aid panel also allocated $62 million in U.S. aid for Armenia and $5 million for Nagorno Karabakh for fiscal year (FY) 2007. The amount represents a $12 million increase over President Bush's FY 2007 budget request, but is lower than last year's appropriation of $75 million. The Subcommittee also rejected efforts by Azerbaijan's lobbyists to weaken Section 907 restrictions on U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan, due to its ongoing blockades of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Overall, the Subcommittee approved $21.3 billion in foreign aid spending, an increase of $600 million over last year's budget.
"We commend the members of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee for contributing to the continued stability of the Caucasus by maintaining parity in military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan and fighting back attempts to further weaken Section 907," stated Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "We also appreciate the efforts of our friends to increase Armenia's assistance above the level proposed by the President and to provide $5 million in aid to Nagorno Karabakh. We look forward to action by the Senate - and later in conference committee - to bring assistance to Armenia to at least last year's figure of $75 million," added Hamparian.
Sources on Capitol Hill reported that the key foreign aid panel also allocated $62 million in U.S. aid for Armenia and $5 million for Nagorno Karabakh for fiscal year (FY) 2007. The amount represents a $12 million increase over President Bush's FY 2007 budget request, but is lower than last year's appropriation of $75 million. The Subcommittee also rejected efforts by Azerbaijan's lobbyists to weaken Section 907 restrictions on U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan, due to its ongoing blockades of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Overall, the Subcommittee approved $21.3 billion in foreign aid spending, an increase of $600 million over last year's budget.
"We commend the members of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee for contributing to the continued stability of the Caucasus by maintaining parity in military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan and fighting back attempts to further weaken Section 907," stated Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "We also appreciate the efforts of our friends to increase Armenia's assistance above the level proposed by the President and to provide $5 million in aid to Nagorno Karabakh. We look forward to action by the Senate - and later in conference committee - to bring assistance to Armenia to at least last year's figure of $75 million," added Hamparian.
