September 4, 2003

Rep. Frank Pallone Says Improving Trade Most Important For Armenia

Says broader genocide resolution was "very good idea"

	Congressman Pallone with community members

San Francisco, August 17 – Congressman Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey), co-chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian-American Issues visited the San Francisco-Bay Area Armenian-American community, saying he believes that improving US-Armenia trade relations, along with achieving recognition for the Armenian Genocide, are the key issues his group of US Congressional representatives is pursuing.  After attending St. Gregory church ceremonies and the traditional blessing of the grapes, the Congressman spoke to community members at the invitation of the Bay Area Armenian National Committee. 

"We would like to see Armenia become part of some kind of common market," said Pallone "We’d like to see eventually in the Caucasus is a free trade agreement."  Pallone said that initiatives pending in Congress now, like the bill to permanently normalize trade relations with Armenia, would help. 

"The way the Armenian economy is going to thrive is through more exports to the U.S. and other countries.  We are identifying areas to get started – one is high tech.  What we’re trying to do now is start low and get some kind of agreement in particular areas, leading to a free trade agreement," said Pallone. 

Pallone explained that the Congressional Armenian Caucus arranged last year to get a report by the State Department to assess the economic effects of the Turkish blockade of Armenia on the Armenian economy.  The report found the Gross National Product of Armenia would be 30% to 40% higher if there were no blockade. 

Another initiative being promoted by the Caucus and the ANC, is the negotiation of U.S.-Armenia Social Security Agreement, clarifying the obligations and entitlements of workers who divide their careers between the United States and Armenia.  It would also open the door to Armenian-Americans who are considering spending part or all of their retirement in Armenia. 

"Businessmen won’t get involved in trade if they think they have to pay retirement benefits at both ends," said Pallone.

Referring to the Genocide resolution now pending in Congress, which commemorates the UN Genocide Resolution, citing the Armenian Genocide, Jewish Holocaust, and others, Pallone said, "It was basically the ANC’s idea to include all genocides. I think it was a very good idea." Pallone said the bill garnered more support by outside groups, less opposition from Jewish organizations, and that it would probably get 350 votes if it were put to a vote now.  Unfortunately, the House Speaker has been unwilling to post the bill for a vote.  Pallone urged Armenian-Americans to keep pushing for the Speaker of the House to put the resolution up for a vote. 

Pallone also noted that he is working to increase the amount of aid to Armenia being considered by Congress.  He stated, "I think we should at least be able to get the $75 million and we’re going to try to get more."   

He expressed his disapproval of conditions in Azerbaijan, mentioning their disregard for the environment while exploiting their natural resources.  Regarding the planned pipeline from Azerbaijan to Turkey, Pallone pointed out that it has been shown that the pipeline will not be profitable, and is only being built for misguided political purposes. 

Regarding the resolution of the Karabakh conflict, Pallone said, "Everyone agrees that nothing can be done until all these elections are over with," referring to the upcoming elections in Azerbaijan.  Azeri president Aliyev’s failing health "makes it virtually impossible to move towards a settlement." 

Pallone spoke about the need to improve upon the democratic process in Armenia, saying, "Armenia always does very well compared to other former Soviet republics, but we always need to be vigilant that it improves." 

Pallone also said that he and the Armenian Caucus are working to get the Bush administration to earmark some of the aid going to Iraq, specifically to benefit the Armenian-Iraqi community. 

Having just returned from a trip to Israel sponsored by AIPAC (the American Israel Political Affairs Committee), Pallone said he went to Israel a day earlier to visit the Armenian community in Jerusalem.  He visited the holy sites of the Armenian quarter, attended a church service and enjoyed lunch with representatives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, the Armenian Relief Society, the ANC and other organizations.  His trip was the first to a Diaspora Armenian community outside of the US, and he was struck by the enormous need for finances to preserve the Armenian quarter. 

Pallone recently met with the Armenian community in Cyprus, where he was also made aware of the worrisome conditions of the historic Armenian structures, which have been vandalized and in some cases appropriated by Turkish Cypriots.  He said the trips to other Armenian Diaspora communities made him better understand the enormous global needs of the Armenian people.