The U.S. Administrations - both Democratic and Republican - have, since Fiscal Year 1998, expended $25 million less in aid to Nagorno-Karabakh than Congress intended, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) reported.

According to ANCA review, less than $36 million of the $61 million slated by Congress for this purpose has actually been expended. Approximately $12 million of the $25 million shortfall in aid to Nagorno-Karabakh is the result of under-spending by the Obama Administration during its first two years in office.

“Armenian Americans are deeply appreciative to the U.S. Congress for its vision and generosity in initiating U.S. aid to Nagorno-Karabakh, and for providing funding to help the people of Nagorno-Karabakh emerge from the crisis created by Azerbaijan's aggression, meet pressing humanitarian needs, and, develop as a free society,” said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.

“It is precisely because of our respect for the role of Congress and the vital aims that are served by this aid that we are so troubled by the failure of successive administrations to honor the clear intent of Congress that this vital assistance program be properly funded and fully implemented.”

“Sadly, the same State Department which sought unsuccessfully to prevent Congress from starting the Nagorno-Karabakh aid program back in the late 1990s, is still obstructing the clear will of Congress by spending considerably less for this vital purpose than Congressional appropriators intended,” he added.