HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES NOT LESS THAN $83.4 MILLION AID FOR ARMENIA IN 2003

PanARMENIAN.Net - The day before the US House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2003 Foreign Operations Bill, according to which Armenia will get not less than 83.4 million US dollars. As reported by the Armenian Assembly of America, the amount of aid is equal to that approved by House Foreign Operations Subcommittee last week. The level of assistance exceeds the sum of 70 million dollars proposed by the US President's Administration, but is less that the 90 million US dollars received by Armenia in fiscal year 2002. The House Appropriations Committee also seconded the Bush Administration request for additional 3 million dollars in Foreign Military Financing, as well as 750 thousand dollars for International Military Education and Training. Moreover, the Committee members have addressed the US government calling to intensify the process of providing assistance to Nagorno Karabakh amounting 20 million dollars, and in case of successful realization of the former sum to allocate additional 5 million US dollars. The bill on providing financial aid to Armenia is submitted for discussion in the US House of Representatives.