US to allot to Azerbaijan $28 mln in 2007

As AzerTAg reports, according to the budget draft disclosed by the Department of State, in the new fiscal year, the major political questions to finance will be to overcome the terror, implementation of the obligations in Afghanistan and Iraq the United States took, realization of the international AIDS programs and safety of America. The budget envisions 6,2 billion dollars for America's anti-terror coalition partners, 3 billion dollars for "Millennium Challenges" project, and 1,3 billion dollars for the world countries in transition period and facing natural calamities, including refugee problems.

The former soviet republics will receive 441 million dollars assistance from the United States. The figure, as it seems, downsizes last years. The United States government says there is growth in Russia and Kazakhstan due to increase of oil profits. Till 2009, such countries as Kazakhstan and Ukraine will not need aid. And the economic program for Russia in 2006 is financed for the last time. Along with that, the Draft expresses concern with the digression in the field of human rights in Russia and Central Asia.

As to the South Caucasus countries, the USA assistance remains at its traditional proportion. According to the Draft budget, Georgia will receive 58 million dollars, Armenia - 50 million dollars, and Azerbaijan - 28 million dollars. In all the republics, the allocated means will be mainly directed to support of political and economic reforms, development of institutions, strengthening of security in region. It is stated that Azerbaijan, being a secular Moslem country, helps in combat against terrorism and military operations in Iraq. The country is the strategic partner of the United States. The figures on Georgia and Armenia in the frame of "Millennium Challenges" project are extra assistance to these countries. That is, for implementation of infrastructure and economic development programs in the frame of the mentioned project, Georgia will receive 295 million dollars.

A greater part of the foreign policy budget will be spent for foreign support of the public diplomacy adequate to the US interests. This will demand 351 million dollars.