Washington, DC - Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairs Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), along with Representatives 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), today expressed their dismay to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice over the Turkish government's announcement to move forward with a proposed rail link project that would connect Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan, but exclude Armenia.

In a letter sent to Secretary Rice today, the lawmakers urged the U.S. government to denounce the rail link which bypasses Armenia and undermines U.S. policy goals in the South Caucasus region.

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."

In July, 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.

"The Assembly commends the leadership of Congressman Pallone and his colleagues for spearheading this letter and the legislative initiative," said Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian. "Excluding Armenia from economic and commercial opportunities undermines longstanding U.S. policy of promoting regional cooperation and economic integration in the South Caucasus. The Assembly strongly supports this congressional effort and will continue to fight against such attempts to isolate Armenia."

Introduced prior to the congressional August recess, H. R. 3361 currently has support of 20 Members and is expected to garner additional supporters when Congress reconvenes after Labor Day.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

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Editor's Note: Below is the full text of the congressional letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

August 19, 2005

Secretary Condoleezza Rice
U.S. Department of State
2201 C St, NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Rice,

We were troubled by the Turkish government's recent announcement that the Turkish railway project connecting Kars Turkey, Akhalkalaki Georgia, and Baku Azerbaijan is moving forward. According to the statement, there will be a meeting in Istanbul, Turkey to discuss the next phase of the project. We are writing this letter to urge you to denounce this proposed rail link because it is specifically designed to exclude the Republic of Armenia and undermines the United States' policy toward the South Caucasus region.

The United States' policy toward the South Caucasus region is focused on fostering regional stability and enhanced cooperation. 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. The proposed rail link would cost between $400 million and $800 million and would take years to construct, while a perfectly workable rail link already exists and would be fully operational with a few minor repairs.

There is only one difference between the existing and proposed rail
link: Armenia. The existing rail line goes through the city of Gyumri, Armenia. This new rail line has been proposed so that the region can develop economically without any benefit to Armenia, further strangling them into economic isolation. Azerbaijan's leading role in developing the proposed new railroad and other similar actions serve to undermine and avoid a just solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and potentially destabilize the region.

We have recently proposed legislation (H.R. 3361) that would prohibit United States' funding from going toward the construction of this new railroad. 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.

It is critical that the Department of State be on record denouncing this proposed rail line because it goes against a stated United States policy. This rail line would further isolate the Republic of Armenia and deny them much needed opportunities for economic growth. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this very important issue.

Sincerely,


Frank Pallone, Jr.
Joseph Knollenberg
George Radanovich
Steven Rothman
Joseph Crowley
Thaddeus McCotter
Edward Royce
Adam Schiff