The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) today welcomed the vote by a powerful Senate panel to block U.S. taxpayer funding for an unnecessary and costly proposed railroad between Turkey and Georgia that would, if built, circumvent Armenia and, in the process, undermine the economic viability of the existing Caucasus railroad route through Armenia.
With a unanimous voice vote earlier today, the Senate Banking Committee adopted the amendment spearheaded by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and later adopted as proposed by Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Ranking Democrat Paul Sarbanes (D-MD). According to the measure, the Export-Import Bank “shall not guarantee, insure or extend (or participate in the extension of) credit in connection with the export of any good or service relating to the development or promotion of any railway connection or railway-related connection that does not traverse or connect with Armenia, and does traverse or connect Baku, Azerbaijan, Tbilisi, Georgia and Kars, Turkey.” The provision is now part of the Senate Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Bill, also adopted unanimously by the Committee, paving the way for full Senate consideration of the legislation.
“We would like to thank Senator Menendez, Chairman Shelby, Senator Sarbanes, and all members of the Senate Banking Committee for ensuring that U.S. taxpayer funds are not wasted in the construction of an ill-advised railway project, initiated by Turkey and Azerbaijan, solely to exclude Armenia,” stated ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
