[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 94 (Friday, June 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  LET'S NOT TURN OUR BACKS ON ARMENIA

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                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 8, 1995
  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, the commitment we have made to Armenia has 
helped to build democracy in that nation.
  Now is not the time to be making extreme cuts in our assistance to 
the Armenian people.
  The cuts proposed in the American Overseas Interests Act, H.R. 1561, 
would be devastating.
  If this bill becomes law, United States aid to Armenia will be cut by 
at least one-third.
  The Armenians are resilient people.
  They are continuing to rebuild after a devastating earthquake.
  They have outlasted the Ottoman Empire and the Soviet Union, and they 
continue to fight for freedom in Nagorno Karabagh.
  Now is not the time to turn our backs on the Armenians.
  But that is what this bill does.
  This bill cuts aid to Armenia and other New Independent States by 
nearly $100 million next year.
  Instead of rewarding and encouraging the development of democracy, it 
sends the wrong signal to the Armenian people.
  Mr. Speaker, the bill isn't all bad news for Armenia.
  The humanitarian aid corridor provision we have fought so hard for is 
included in the bill.
  The provision cuts off aid to countries, such as Turkey, which are 
blocking American humanitarian assistance.
  This is an important step, and one that I believe is long overdue.
  Mr. Speaker, our commitment to Armenia is a very modest one.
  It is a fraction of our foreign aid budget, and our foreign aid 
budget amounts to less than 2 percent of our Federal budget.
  Mr. Speaker, I am voting against this bill because I believe we can 
do better, and we must do better to build democracy around the world.


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