The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill affirming U.S. policy in the South Caucasus by prohibiting funding for Kars-Akhalkalaki-Baku railroad sponsored by Turkey and Azerbaijan, which excludes Armenia from economic and regional transportation corridors. The bill will now go to President Bush for his expected signature.
Lawmakers approved S.3938, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2006, which included an amendment by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Rick Santorum (R-PA).
“Well aware that Turkey and Azerbaijan continue to make every effort possible to isolate Armenia from economic and regional opportunities, passage of today’s legislation was key to the Assembly’s legislative agenda,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian. “We thank Senators Menendez and Santorum for their steadfast support of Armenia and for introducing legislation (S. 2461) that would prevent U.S. taxpayers from funding this project.” Hovnanian noted that despite congressional intent to prevent Armenia’s isolation and an European Union declaration that it “will not finance the
Kars-Akhalkalak railway construction since the project leaves out Armenia [which] conflicts with the European Neighborhood Policy,” Turkey and Azerbaijan plan to proceed with the project, reports the AAA.
