ANCA urges $70 million U.S. aid package for Armenia, ArtsakhMarch 1, 2018 - 11:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - In testimony submitted on Thursday, March 1 to the Senate panel drafting the Fiscal Year 2019 foreign aid bill, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) called for a targeted $70 million aid package that would fund de-mining and rehabilitation in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), implementation of the Royce-Engel proposal to deploy gunfire locators along the line-of-contact, the expansion of U.S.-Armenia economic and military partnerships, and support for Armenia as a regional safe haven for at-risk Middle East refugees. ANCA Government Affairs Director Raffi Karakashian opened his testimony to the Senate's Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations by marking the 100th anniversary of the first Armenian Republic, inviting the panel to join with him in celebrating a century of U.S.-Armenia relations. He then turned to the ANCA's top-line priorities: -- Artsakh: $6 million to complete de-mining and rehabilitate the disabled, $4 million to promote peace -- Armenia: $30 million in economic aid, $10 million in military aid, $20 million for Middle East refugees -- Azerbaijan: Suspend U.S. military aid and strengthen Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act In each of these areas, Karakashian shared with appropriators how the ANCA's proposals advance U.S. interests and suggested concise, draft legislative language for their consideration. He closed his testimony by reaffirming the ANCA's commitment to Armenia's aid-to-trade transition, asking Members of the Subcommittee to encourage the Trump Administration to make full use of the U.S.-Armenia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and Economic Task Force, and, most urgently, to move forward with the long-overdue negotiation of a modern U.S. Armenia Double Tax Treaty. Earlier, pro-Armenian activists from Alaska and Arizona to Maine and Montana responded to an ANCA action alert by sending over 15,000 messages to federal officials on Capitol Hill in support of the Armenian American policy priorities. Emails sent from every U.S. state and nearly each of America's 435 House districts outlined the full array of ANCA "asks" regarding a secure Artsakh, a strong Armenia, a just resolution of the Armenian Genocide, and support for Syrian Armenians. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. |