Congressman Renzi joins US Congress Armenian CaucusOctober 12, 2006 - 15:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At the urging of the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), Congressman Rick Renzi (R-AZ) joined the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues and signed on as a cosponsor of H. R. 3361, a bill that would prohibit funding for a rail link connecting Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan while bypassing Armenia, reports the AAA. "The Armenian Assembly appreciates Congressman Renzi's support of the rail legislation and welcomes him to the Armenian Caucus," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "We look forward to working with him to strengthen the U.S.-Armenia relationship."The South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act, introduced by Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), along with Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Caucus Member George Radanovich (R-CA), is supported by nearly 100 lawmakers to date. Last month, the House approved the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2006, which included an amendment which was strongly supported by the Assembly and sponsored by Representatives Joseph Crowley (D-NY), together with Congressmen Edward Royce (R-CA) and Brad Sherman (D-CA). The provision ensures that no Export-Import funding is used for a costly and unnecessary rail line that would exclude Armenia from economic and regional transportation opportunities. Renzi is the second member from the state of Arizona to join the Armenian Caucus. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Resources Committee. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |