[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THE AMERICAN ASSISTANCE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 4, 1997

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the Armenian 
Assistance Act. This bill is designed to assist Armenia and her people 
with an ambitious and progressive plan, similar to the successful 
program Operation Flood of India, to reconstruct sagging agricultural 
markets.
  Ultimately, if Armenia is able to feed itself, its people will 
directly benefit from improved public health and nutrition standards. 
Improvement to Armenian's agricultural sector, specifically in the area 
of wheat seed development, is in the direct strategic interest of the 
United States and our desire to secure the advantages of a stable 
Caucasus region. Further, this bill will help empower Armenians in 
their bid for reform, likely establish new markets for United States 
products, and it specifically will enhance the exporting of United 
States agricultural products.
  However, in introducing this bill, I am not proposing additional 
burdens for America's hardworking taxpayers nor proposing that we 
neglect America's precious farmland. Our people and farmers deserve 
more responsible representation. I recognize the need to harness the 
waste and dated programs contained within past foreign aid budgets. 
Therefore, I have pursued creative measures for striking a balance 
between the issue of controlling foreign aid and the need to help 
Armenia.
  Allow me to clearly outline what this bill will do:
  First, empower the private sector transition in Armenia toward a 
market economy, and likely establish new markets for the United States 
by strengthening our consumer buying power in Armenia.
  Second, enhance the exporting of U.S. agricultural products.
  Third, assist to coordinate activities with the U.S. Department of 
State, and help to establish a monitoring system in the Caucasus region 
for zoonotic diseases, which are transmissible from animals to humans. 
These diseases have no boundaries and are apt to cause major public 
health problems throughout the region, and furthermore are easily 
spread to Europe.
  If this bill is passed, it is my intention to request that the 
agricultural renewal program in Armenia be implemented by the Armenian 
Technology Group [ATG], a nonprofit organization based in Fresno, CA. 
Over the past several years, ATG has been involved in similar programs 
in the area. It should be noted that, 80 percent of the organization's 
operational funding has been generated from the private and public 
sectors, and only 20 percent from U.S. Government sources. ATG has 
been effective in implementing its programs by working directly with 
the people of Armenia, in assisting them in their transition toward 
market economy, and in helping build democracy from the bottom up. I 
have enclosed for the Record specific figures on ATG's contributions 
and investments in the agricultural sector of the Republic of Armenia.

  You may recall in the 104th Congress that the Government of Turkey 
was appropriated $22 million in economic support aid. Initially, the 
aid was dependent on Turkey's long-awaited recognition of the Armenian 
Genocide. A belligerent Ankara reacted to the House genocide clause, a 
reasonable amendment which I was privileged to introduce and lead in 
eventual passage in the House, by telling the United States State 
Department and the United States Congress that Turkey would not accept 
United States aid with preconditions such as recognition of the 
Armenian Genocide. Amazingly, Turkey was given the support and was not 
asked to recognize the genocide. All this despite their declaration to 
decline United States economic aid, while countries such as Armenia 
were in desperate need of financial support.
  The Armenian Assitance Act proposes to redirect the $22 million or 
any remaining amount not yet obligated from the fiscal year 1997 
Foreign Appropriations Act in economic support aid for Turkey, and 
transfer those funds to Armenia for agricultural development. I'm 
certain Armenia has been, and will continue to be, grateful for the 
support of the United States Government and the American taxpayer.

                     ARMENIAN TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC.                    
 [ATG Sponsored Contributions and Investments in the Agricultural Sector
                  of the Republic of Armenia 1989-1996]                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Contributions/Donations Per Sector         Amount USD   Percentage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATG Contributions:                                                      
  Private Sector Donations....................   $11,695,672      58.13 
  In-Kind Professional Services...............     3,751,456      18.65 
  Cash Contributions..........................       586,468       2.92 
U.S. Government Support:                                                
  USAID Grants/Sub-Grants.....................     2,948,226      14.66 
  Transportation Costs........................     1,025,000       5.10 
UNHCR Grants..................................       115,010       0.58 
                                               -------------------------
      Total...................................    20,121,832  ..........
------------------------------------------------------------------------





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