[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 13360]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    ARMENIA PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the people of 
Armenia on the May 12 Parliamentary elections. This is the first 
positive assessment of an election in the former Soviet Republic since 
it gained independence in 1991. This encouraging outcome will most 
certainly enhance and deepen U.S./Armenia relations, while also 
elevating Armenia's reputation regionally and internationally.
  Over the past few months, U.S. administration officials in Washington 
and Yerevan have stressed the importance of these elections and 
explained that substantial improvement must be made. Based on public 
preliminary reports, Armenia has fulfilled the test set forth by the 
administration and received a free and fair stamp of approval.
  The International Election Observation Mission issued a statement 
which read, in part, and I quote, ``The election is assessed in line 
with OSCE and Council of Europe commitments, other international 
standards for democratic elections and national legislation.''
  I'm especially pleased that the U.S. Embassy in Armenia joined the 
chorus of praise with its own assessment which reads, and again I 
quote, ``We share the satisfaction of international observers that the 
election infrastructure, both legal and technical, has been greatly 
improved.''
  Mr. Speaker, I join in sharing the pride of our embassy and the 
contributions we have helped make in advancing the course of democracy 
and the rule of law in Armenia. These results are the best evidence to 
date that our assistance to this fledgling Republic is indeed serving 
its intended purpose. Our shared values and the strong bonds between 
the United States and Armenia will no doubt continue to expand. In 
doing so, we will continue to foster democracy in Armenia and work 
towards stability in the South Caucus region.
  Earlier this year, dozens of my colleagues joined me in sending a 
letter to the chairman of the House State, Foreign Operations 
Appropriations Subcommittee calling for $75 million in assistance for 
Armenia in fiscal year 2008. As the appropriation process continues, 
I'd like to remind my colleagues of this request and renew it again 
today. This assistance demonstrates our commitment to Armenia, which is 
a friend and a supporter of U.S. policies for peace and security in 
that part of the world.
  Armenia's achievement also addresses concerns expressed by the 
Millennium Challenge Corporation with respect to these elections. 
Armenia has met the necessary threshold, and I'm confident that the 
people and the Government of Armenia will only continue to improve upon 
their accomplishments in achieving the standards and norms of a 
democratic society. And accordingly, I urge the MCC to fully fund its 
compact with Armenia in an expeditious manner.
  These elections are an historic step towards a fully democratic 
Armenia, a goal to which the nation has demonstrated its commitment and 
leadership in the region through democratic reform. I congratulate the 
people of Armenia for this remarkable accomplishment.
  I would also like to enter into the Record a letter I sent with 
Congressman Knollenberg marking this achievement.

                                Congress of the United States,

                                     Washington, DC, May 18, 2007.
     Hon. Serzh Sargsyan,
     Prime Minister, The Armenian Embassy, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Robert Kocharian,
     President, The Armenian Embassy, Washington, DC.
       Dear Prime Minister Sargsyan and President Kocharian: We 
     write to congratulate you both on the success of the May l2th 
     Parliamentary elections in Armenia. The success of this free 
     and fair election cycle reflects the great progress made by 
     Armenia in recent years to move further away from its Soviet 
     past and towards a flourishing democracy.
       The importance of this round of elections was well-
     understood and carried out honorably by your government. We 
     appreciate Armenia's willingness to work with the U.S. 
     government to ensure the elections were indeed free and fair. 
     Your hard work and dedication has led to the citizens of your 
     country following the lead of their government officials in 
     operating in a free and democratic way to elect a new 
     Parliament.
       We look forward to our continued work with you to advance 
     the Armenian and Armenian-American agenda in the U.S. 
     Congress.
           Sincerely,
     Joe Knollenberg,
     Frank Pallone, Jr.,
       Members of Congress.

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