WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last week, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) submitted testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations and Related Programs on the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 U.S. budget, reported the Assembly. Also last week, the Assembly reported that the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, led by Co-Chairs Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY), sent a letter to Subcommittee Chairwoman Rep. Kay Granger (R-KY) and Committee Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY) highlighting U.S. foreign aid priorities for Armenia and Artsakh.

 

"The Armenian Assembly urges the Subcommittee to allocate not less than $40 million in assistance to Armenia, including at least $1.7 million in Foreign Military Financing, and $600,000 in International Military Education Training assistance to Armenia," the Assembly testimony reads in part. "In addition, the Assembly requests at least $5 million in assistance to Nagorno Karabakh as well as directing funds to the largely Armenian populated Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia and ensuring assistance to Christian and other minority communities at risk in the Middle East, and especially given the recent developments in Kessab, Syria." 

 

Emphasizing the recent crisis in Kessab, and following through on its letter to President Obama and meeting with the U.S. Department of State, the Assembly reported to Congress: "Further, given the troubling reports that Turkey allowed Al-Qaeda linked fighters to cross its border into Syria, a consequence of which residents of the predominantly Armenian populated town of Kessab fled for their lives, we call upon Congress to take immediate action to safeguard the Armenian community there."

 

The Assembly testimony touches on nine key areas where the Assembly believes the United States can and should play a pivotal role in advancing American and Armenian American interests in the region, specifically: assistance to Armenia; assistance to Nagorno Karabakh; assistance to the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia; assistance to Christian minorities at risk in the Middle East; Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act; the Nagorno Karabakh peace process; U.S. military assistance; energy security; and the importance of reaffirming the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide.

 

"The Assembly looks forward to working with Members of Congress regarding these critically important issues, and renews its call for the urgent need to take concrete measures to safeguard the Armenians of Kessab, and all minority communities at risk in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.

 

The Assembly testimony is available here.

 

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.  

 

  -   Сharity