TABDC.ORG

New York, NY --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), co-chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, spoke today on the effects of the ongoing dual blockades of Armenia by Turkey and Azerbaijan at a United Nation's conference in New York City.

Pallone spoke at the U.N.'s 56th annual conference of international non-governmental organizations on the continued blockades against Armenia that were initiated by Azerbaijan in 1991 and Turkey in 1993. This year's conference was titled "Human Security and Dignity: Fulfilling the Promise of the United Nations."

"This blockade is not sanctioned by the United Nations or any other international organization," Pallone said today at the United Nations. "In fact, organizations such as the European Union (EU) have repeatedly called on Turkey to lift its blockade against Armenia. The EU in particular has made normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations a precondition for Turkey's accession to the organization. Turkey and Azerbaijan are the only Council of Europe (CE) states that are engaged in a blockade against a fellow CE state."

Pallone referenced a report from the U.S. Department of State that he and Armenian Caucus co-chair U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) requested last year detailing the economic impact the Turkish blockade has had on Armenia. The report entitled "Economic Impact of Turkish/Armenian Border Closure and Diplomatic Contacts with Both Parties On This Issue" highlights the State Department's views on the Turkish blockade. The report specifically states: "The United States has long pressed for the opening of the border and the free flow of trade in the region."

The Congressman also pointed to Secretary of State Colin Powell's recent attempts to press Turkey on the blockade issue, including his April 2 visit to Ankara, Turkey and his meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister in Washington, D.C. in July.

"The State Department report also references an earlier World Bank report that listed this blockade as a significant obstacle to development of the South Caucuses region," Pallone said. "The World Bank report makes a very rough estimate of regional trade normalization, and therefore open borders with both Turkey and Azerbaijan. The World Bank found that open borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan could result in significant increases in Armenia's exports ($269-342 million) and GDP likely would rise up to 30-38 percent on a one-time basis."

The New Jersey congressman also pointed to encouraging signs that non-governmental groups over the last few years have sprung up and pressed the Armenian and Turkish governments to restore economic and political ties with one another. In his speech, Pallone mentioned the work of the Turkish - Armenian Business Development Council (TABDC), co-established in May 1997 in Istanbul and in Yerevan.

"The TABDC believes that, with the reopening of the sole Gyumri (formerly Leninakan) border gate, annual trade volume between Turkey and Armenia could double and reach $300 million within a year," Pallone continued. "It also says the opening of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border would boost Turkey's trade with Central Asia by cutting transportation costs by 35 percent.

"The best way to have neighbors in conflict speak and work with one another again is to give them incentives to do so," Pallone said. "The U.S. Congress has in the past appropriated funds for infrastructure needs that cross boundaries between Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan. These are a form of confidence building measure that can be used on a variety of things, including repairing and reestablishing old rail links between the three countries.

"It is my hope that the Caucuses nations can get over the hump of post-Soviet conflict and enter a new era of economic freedom," Pallone continued. "I would eventually like to see a customs union similar to the European Union in this region that would serve to foster good relations, the economic development of all countries, and most importantly, the betterment of the lives of all the citizens."

Pallone said he has pressed for the economic development of Armenia, in part, to help facilitate the development of the entire Caucuses region. Currently in Congress, Pallone is sponsoring legislation that would grant Armenia permanent and normal trade relations with the United States, and put the U.S. in full compliance with their WTO obligations to Armenia. The New Jersey congressman also pressed the administration to establish an agreement to eliminate double taxation between the U.S. and Armenia.

-30-

Andrew Souvall

Press Secretary

Office of Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ)

Top