ANCA to apply to U.S. Senate for financial aid to Armenia and Karabakh
ArmeniaU.S. House Appropriators prioritized aid for Syrian relief, but remained largely silent on specific Fiscal Year 2016 (FY2016) aid levels for the Caucasus, underscoring the pivotal role that pending Senate consideration of this measure will play in addressing Armenian American concerns. As reports “Armenpress”, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) will now eye on Senate, which will make the final decision. In the months leading up to the House and Senate FY2016 foreign aid process, the ANCA has led a grassroots initiative to secure:
1) At least $5 million in U.S. developmental aid to Nagorno Karabakh.
2) Zeroout U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan until it agrees with OSCE Minsk Group calls to pull back its snipers, ceases its aggression, renounces violence, and commits to a purely peaceful resolution of regional conflicts.
3) At least $40 million in U.S. economic assistance to Armenia.
4) A special focus on addressing the difficulties in providing humanitarian and resettlement aid to Armenian, Assyrian and other at risk minorities in Syria, as well as targeted aid to help Armenia settle thousands fleeing from Syria.
5) At least 10% of U.S. assistance to Georgia to be used for job creation programs in the SamtskheJavakheti region of that country.
6) Language strengthening Section 907 restrictions on U.S. aid to Azerbaijan.