Washington, DC - Today, the House Appropriations Committee released the details of its draft Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, which calls for "at least" $5 million in assistance to Nagorno Karabakh and includes "not less than" $40 million in assistance to Armenia, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). Overall funding in the Appropriations Bill, which will be considered by the full Committee tomorrow, was reduced by 5 percent when compared to last year. In addition, bilateral assistance was cut by $1.1 billion, and is $3 billion below the President's request for FY 2013. However, despite these reductions and the continued downward trend, funding for Armenia was specifically highlighted, and remains consistent with the FY 2012 enacted level of $40 million. In addition to the $40 million, parity in military assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan was also maintained in the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and International Military Education and Training (IMET) accounts and reflects the Administration's request of $2.7 million in FMF and $600,000 in IMET funding to each country. State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-TX) stated: "This is a tough, effective national security bill that continues to cut spending, reform our aid programs, and demand accountability from our partners and allies. This bill reflects principled funding decisions that give the United States the flexibility to respond to a rapidly changing world while making sure our foreign aid is not a blank check for foreign governments who do not support our national security priorities." When compared to the Administration's budget request, which reduced funding by 18 percent across-the-board in Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia countries, the Committee's draft Bill is a welcomed development. The Administration's request for Armenia, including military assistance (FMF and IMET), totaled $35.843 million. Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), a Member of the House Appropriations Committee, told the Assembly: "Working with Chairwoman Granger and Ranking Member Lowey and with the support of my colleagues, the Appropriations bill provides a balanced approach to the South Caucasus region. I am particularly pleased that funding for Nagorno Karabakh is specifically defined and that funding for the Javakheti region in the Republic of Georgia, which includes a large and vibrant Armenian population, will be reviewed with a strategy recommended for future development. Given the cuts to the overall budget this year, I fought hard to make sure that adequate levels of funding for Armenia remained." "U.S. assistance programs to Armenia and Artsakh have played a critically important role, especially in the face of the dual blockades imposed by Turkey and Azerbaijan," stated the Assembly's Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "Given the overall budget reductions, the Assembly appreciates the work of Subcommittee Chair Granger and Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY) to maintain adequate support to Armenia," Ardouny continued. "We especially commend Congressman Schiff for his tireless dedication on behalf of the Armenian people," added Ardouny. The Bill's report language also called for at least $5 million in "humanitarian and development programs in Nagorno-Karabakh," which the Assembly advocated for in its testimony submitted before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations on March 30th. In addition, the Committee reiterated the importance of confidence-building measures and specifically urged "all parties to refrain from threats of violence." "The Assembly remains deeply concerned about Azerbaijan's incessant anti-Armenian rhetoric and continued cease-fire violations," stated Ardouny. The Appropriations Bill also restated the six customary exemptions for humanitarian and other assistance to Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. Section 907 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. Earlier this year, a bipartisan letter spearheaded by Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) urged the House Appropriations Committee to provide robust funding for Armenia and "at least $5 million" for "humanitarian and development assistance" to Nagorno Karabakh. The letter also discussed funding for the Armenian community in the Javakheti region of Georgia as well as Christian communities at risk in the Middle East; the U.S.-Armenia military relationship and Armenia's cooperation in anti-terrorism efforts; Azerbaijan's ongoing war rhetoric and cease-fire violations; and the importance of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. Upon passage by the House Appropriations Committee, the Bill must next clear the full House of Representatives and then be reconciled with its counterpart in the Senate. 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 non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

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