ARMENIA AMONG COUNTRIES US IS GOING TO EXTEND PERMANENT NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS WITH

A document providing for extension of permanent normal trade relations with a number of countries, including with Armenia, is being discussed by the US House, RFE/RL reported today. In the opinion of Armenian Assembly of America Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian, the step will be rather useful for Armenia, against whom Azerbaijan and Turkey are holding blockades. He said he hoped for the bill to become a law. It should be noted that it has been 30 years since, according to the law, the confirmation of the US President is necessary from time to time for having low-tariff trade with a country. The bill provides for repeal of the law, i.e. the President will not interfere with the issues any more. It should be noted that Armenia was included in the list due to the efforts of Permanent Committee Chairman Bill Thomas, Congressmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), and Frank Pallone (D-NJ).