  U.S. aids Armenia at amount of $40 mln. but specified no funding for Artsakh  July 28, 2011 - 15:15 AMTPanARMENIAN.Net - Today, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, which calls for $40 million in economic assistance to Armenia, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). The Subcommittee's Bill did not specify funding levels for Nagorno Karabakh. However, Congress has routinely called for up to $10 million in annual U.S. assistance. While the Administration's budget request provided $3 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Armenia and Azerbaijan, and $450,000 more to Azerbaijan in International Military Education Training (IMET), the Subcommittee's draft legislation did not specifically delineate funding levels, but did call for military parity for Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Subcommittee's Bill also restated the six customary exemptions for humanitarian and other assistance to Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act was enacted in 1992 and requires the Government of Azerbaijan to take "demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force" against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. With passage by the Subcommittee, the Bill is scheduled to be considered by the full House Appropriations Committee on August 3. Earlier, Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) circulated a letter urging his U.S. House colleagues to support expanded U.S. aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, and a number of other pro-Armenia provisions in the Fiscal Year 2012 foreign aid bill. In his letter, Rep. Pallone, calls upon his fellow Representatives to join with him in co-signing a Congressional letter asking the bipartisan leadership of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State Foreign Operations to support the inclusion of the following provisions: At least $60 million in economic support funds for Armenia; At least $10 million in development aid to Nagorno Karabakh; The strengthening of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act and maintaining military aid parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan; The removal of barriers to U.S.-Nagorno Karabakh contacts and communications; Support for the reinstatement of Nagorno Karabakh in the OSCE Minsk Group peace process; At least $10 million in military aid to Armenia.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims  Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide.Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed.Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham).Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills |
