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ASSEMBLY THIS WEEK Monday, August 22, 2005
LAWMAKERS URGE RICE TO DENOUNCE RAIL PROJECT
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairs Frank Pallone, Jr.
(D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (D-MI) today urged Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice to denounce plans by Turkey to move forward with a
multi-million dollar railroad project that would exclude Armenia from
East-West commercial corridors.
In a letter sent to Rice, and signed by the Caucus Co-Chairs and Reps.
George Radanovich (R-CA), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Joseph Crowley (D-NY),
Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), Edward Royce (R-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA),
the lawmakers expressed their dismay over plans to develop a railroad
connecting Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan, while overlooking an existing
line that runs through Armenia.
The congressional letter said in part: "Open and integrated
transportation routes among Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey are
necessary to promote cooperation, support economic growth and help
resolve regional conflicts. Unfortunately, this policy is being
undermined by efforts to exclude Armenia in regional development
projects...In no way should the United States condone a proposal or
program that directly undermines our goal of fostering integration and
cooperation among the countries of the region."
Last month, Knollenberg, along with Pallone and Radanovich, introduced
legislation (H. R. 3361) that would prohibit funding for this
ill-proposed route, which is estimated to cost between $400-800 million
and could take years to construct. The existing Kars-Gymuri line which
links Turkey, Armenia and Georgia could be operational in weeks with
only a few minor repairs.
ARAMAC ACTIVISTS HOLD DISTRICT MEETINGS; LAWMAKERS ASSURE CONTINUED
SUPPORT
The Assembly's Armenian American Action Committee (ARAMAC) last week
held congressional district meetings in Minnesota and New York, briefing
lawmakers on key legislative items and encouraging their continued
support. Assembly Grassroots Director Nancy Hiteshue traveled to St.
Paul to meet with Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and District Representative
Chao Lee. Hiteshue was joined by Minnesota State Chair Lou Ann
Matossian, Vice Chair Aram Desteian and Assembly Associate Trustee Kathy
Cafesjian Baradaran. The group thanked McCollum for co-sponsoring the
Armenian Genocide resolution (H.R. 316) and urged her to support the
rail bill. While in Minnesota, Hiteshue led a Community Briefing and
State Chair Workshop at St. Sahag Church. The event included a briefing
by Board of Directors Vice Chair Lisa Esayian and a brainstorming
session on increasing the Assembly's outreach efforts in the Midwest.
Also last week, Hiteshue and Assembly Affiliate Member Sam Melkonian met
with Jon Schneider, District Director for Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) in
Coram, NY. Hiteshue and Melkonian expressed their thanks for Bishop's
support of H.R 316 and asked that he cosponsor the rail bill and also
join the Armenian Caucus.
Meanwhile in California, activists met Congressman Gary Miller (R-CA),
who represents parts of eastern Orange County and northeastern Los
Angeles County. Western Office Director Lena Kaimian led the meeting,
which also included activists Dr. Sarkis Broussalian, Anoush and Diane
Cabraloff, Vahe Charkhutian, Vasken Imasdounian, Rita Topalian and
Western Office Deputy Director Nicole Shahenian. The Assembly
delegation asked Miller to support the Armenian Genocide bill and the
Rail measure and encouraged his involvement on Armenian issues.
Kaimian also had an hour-long meeting with Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA) at
his district office in Gold River, CA. She urged the Congressman to join
the Armenian Caucus and support the two current measures before the
House.
ASSEMBLY RESPONDS TO MISREPRESENTATION OF ARMENIA BY NY NEWSPAPER
The New York Sun last week published a Letter to the Editor by Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny in response to an erroneous article on Armenia.
Below is the full text of Ardouny's letter to the newspaper.
Re: "Second-Largest Recipients of U.S. Aid, Armenians Fight to Get
Ahead" Michael Mainville, August 9, 2005.
Armenia has one of the most vibrant and fast growing economies among the
states of the former Soviet Union, yet Michael Mainville claims the
country is languishing and its people are fleeing.
The fact is Armenia's gross domestic product has doubled in recent years
and emigration has slowed to a trickle. Poverty reduction - which is
among President Kocharian's highest priorities - has fallen by 25
percent in five years and U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans has said
the country is "on the right track." Mainville does correctly note that
Congress has increased funding to Armenia over the Administration's
request. However, he fails to mention that this aid money helps offset
the impact of the Turkish and Azeri blockades of Armenia.
Calendar of Events
10/19-11/1: Annual Mission to Armenia & NKR
10/22: International Banquet; Yerevan, Armenia
11/13: Capital Regional Holiday Reception; Washington, DC
3/26 - 3/28: 2006 National Conference & Banquet; DC
************************************************** ****************
A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
1140 19th Street, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 393-3434
FAX (202) 638-4904
E-Mail: [email protected] WEB http://www.armenianassembly.org
************************************************** ****************
Join the ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA for the 10th Anniversary Best of
Armenia TRUSTEE MISSION TO ARMENIA AND NAGORNO KARABAKH
October 19 through November 1, 2005
And attend the First International Banquet for the Celebration of the
Strong United States-Armenia Relationship
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Package Prices are as Follows:
Double Occupancy - $2,900 per person
Single Occupancy - $3,100
Banquet Ticket Only - $50
Package Pricing Includes:
* Coach class round trip airline tickets London/Yerevan/London
* 13 nights hotel accommodations at Armenia Marriott Hotel,
including breakfast
* Admission ticket to the International Banquet
* Admission to Armenian Assembly General Session and Briefing
* Visa Fees, Airport Tax, Local Transportation, Tours, Briefings,
Entertainment and most Meals
* Optional Nagorno Karabakh trip additional $500 per person
For more information or to make your reservations, please contact the
Assembly:
Headquarters Office Western Office
Tel: (202) 393-3434 ext. 234 Tel: (310)
360-0091
Email Rita: [email protected] Email Peter:
[email protected]
SPACE IS LIMITED - CALL NOW
FOR THIS ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE!
LAWMAKERS URGE RICE TO DENOUNCE RAIL PROJECT
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairs Frank Pallone, Jr.
(D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (D-MI) today urged Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice to denounce plans by Turkey to move forward with a
multi-million dollar railroad project that would exclude Armenia from
East-West commercial corridors.
In a letter sent to Rice, and signed by the Caucus Co-Chairs and Reps.
George Radanovich (R-CA), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Joseph Crowley (D-NY),
Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), Edward Royce (R-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA),
the lawmakers expressed their dismay over plans to develop a railroad
connecting Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan, while overlooking an existing
line that runs through Armenia.
The congressional letter said in part: "Open and integrated
transportation routes among Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey are
necessary to promote cooperation, support economic growth and help
resolve regional conflicts. Unfortunately, this policy is being
undermined by efforts to exclude Armenia in regional development
projects...In no way should the United States condone a proposal or
program that directly undermines our goal of fostering integration and
cooperation among the countries of the region."
Last month, Knollenberg, along with Pallone and Radanovich, introduced
legislation (H. R. 3361) that would prohibit funding for this
ill-proposed route, which is estimated to cost between $400-800 million
and could take years to construct. The existing Kars-Gymuri line which
links Turkey, Armenia and Georgia could be operational in weeks with
only a few minor repairs.
ARAMAC ACTIVISTS HOLD DISTRICT MEETINGS; LAWMAKERS ASSURE CONTINUED
SUPPORT
The Assembly's Armenian American Action Committee (ARAMAC) last week
held congressional district meetings in Minnesota and New York, briefing
lawmakers on key legislative items and encouraging their continued
support. Assembly Grassroots Director Nancy Hiteshue traveled to St.
Paul to meet with Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and District Representative
Chao Lee. Hiteshue was joined by Minnesota State Chair Lou Ann
Matossian, Vice Chair Aram Desteian and Assembly Associate Trustee Kathy
Cafesjian Baradaran. The group thanked McCollum for co-sponsoring the
Armenian Genocide resolution (H.R. 316) and urged her to support the
rail bill. While in Minnesota, Hiteshue led a Community Briefing and
State Chair Workshop at St. Sahag Church. The event included a briefing
by Board of Directors Vice Chair Lisa Esayian and a brainstorming
session on increasing the Assembly's outreach efforts in the Midwest.
Also last week, Hiteshue and Assembly Affiliate Member Sam Melkonian met
with Jon Schneider, District Director for Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) in
Coram, NY. Hiteshue and Melkonian expressed their thanks for Bishop's
support of H.R 316 and asked that he cosponsor the rail bill and also
join the Armenian Caucus.
Meanwhile in California, activists met Congressman Gary Miller (R-CA),
who represents parts of eastern Orange County and northeastern Los
Angeles County. Western Office Director Lena Kaimian led the meeting,
which also included activists Dr. Sarkis Broussalian, Anoush and Diane
Cabraloff, Vahe Charkhutian, Vasken Imasdounian, Rita Topalian and
Western Office Deputy Director Nicole Shahenian. The Assembly
delegation asked Miller to support the Armenian Genocide bill and the
Rail measure and encouraged his involvement on Armenian issues.
Kaimian also had an hour-long meeting with Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA) at
his district office in Gold River, CA. She urged the Congressman to join
the Armenian Caucus and support the two current measures before the
House.
ASSEMBLY RESPONDS TO MISREPRESENTATION OF ARMENIA BY NY NEWSPAPER
The New York Sun last week published a Letter to the Editor by Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny in response to an erroneous article on Armenia.
Below is the full text of Ardouny's letter to the newspaper.
Re: "Second-Largest Recipients of U.S. Aid, Armenians Fight to Get
Ahead" Michael Mainville, August 9, 2005.
Armenia has one of the most vibrant and fast growing economies among the
states of the former Soviet Union, yet Michael Mainville claims the
country is languishing and its people are fleeing.
The fact is Armenia's gross domestic product has doubled in recent years
and emigration has slowed to a trickle. Poverty reduction - which is
among President Kocharian's highest priorities - has fallen by 25
percent in five years and U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans has said
the country is "on the right track." Mainville does correctly note that
Congress has increased funding to Armenia over the Administration's
request. However, he fails to mention that this aid money helps offset
the impact of the Turkish and Azeri blockades of Armenia.
Calendar of Events
10/19-11/1: Annual Mission to Armenia & NKR
10/22: International Banquet; Yerevan, Armenia
11/13: Capital Regional Holiday Reception; Washington, DC
3/26 - 3/28: 2006 National Conference & Banquet; DC
************************************************** ****************
A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
1140 19th Street, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 393-3434
FAX (202) 638-4904
E-Mail: [email protected] WEB http://www.armenianassembly.org
************************************************** ****************
Join the ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA for the 10th Anniversary Best of
Armenia TRUSTEE MISSION TO ARMENIA AND NAGORNO KARABAKH
October 19 through November 1, 2005
And attend the First International Banquet for the Celebration of the
Strong United States-Armenia Relationship
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Package Prices are as Follows:
Double Occupancy - $2,900 per person
Single Occupancy - $3,100
Banquet Ticket Only - $50
Package Pricing Includes:
* Coach class round trip airline tickets London/Yerevan/London
* 13 nights hotel accommodations at Armenia Marriott Hotel,
including breakfast
* Admission ticket to the International Banquet
* Admission to Armenian Assembly General Session and Briefing
* Visa Fees, Airport Tax, Local Transportation, Tours, Briefings,
Entertainment and most Meals
* Optional Nagorno Karabakh trip additional $500 per person
For more information or to make your reservations, please contact the
Assembly:
Headquarters Office Western Office
Tel: (202) 393-3434 ext. 234 Tel: (310)
360-0091
Email Rita: [email protected] Email Peter:
[email protected]
SPACE IS LIMITED - CALL NOW
FOR THIS ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE!