Bill to Bar Assistance for Railway Bypassing Armenia Introduced in U.S. SenateMarch 29, 2006 - 15:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - As Armenian Assembly activists stormed Capitol Hill topromote community concerns to over 80 congressional offices today, Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced a major bill (S. 2461) in the U.S. Senate that would bar assistance for a proposed $800 million railway that would connect Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey while bypassing Armenia, reported the Armenian Assembly of America. "United States policy in the South Caucasus seeks to foster regional stability and enhanced cooperation, and includes open borders and transport corridors," Santorum said. "The proposed rail link would not only undermine U.S. long-term goals for the region, but serves to isolate Armenia. Efforts to foster economic integration and reduce the risk of further tensions are in the best interests of the United States and the South Caucasus." Menendez, echoing Santorum, added that "the sole aim of this costly project is to further isolate Armenia by enhancing the ongoing Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades." Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Ruling MP accuses opposition of “serving other countries' interests” Khachatur Sukiasyan has accused Armenia’s opposition of serving the interests of other countries Protest leader vows to achieve departure of Armenian authorities According to Archbishop Bagrat, there is only one solution to the situation in Armenia. Heads of Armenian, Ukrainian parliaments hold virtual talks Alen Simonyan and Ruslan Stefanchuk held talks via video conference on Tuesday, May 21. Pashinyan travels to Iran to pay tribute to Raisi, others Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has left for the Islamic Republic of Iran on a working visit. |