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109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3361 
To prohibit United States assistance to develop or promote any rail connec-
tions or railway-related connections that traverse or connect Baku, Azer-
baijan; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Kars, Turkey, and that specifically exclude 
cities in Armenia. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 20, 2005 
Mr. KNOLLENBERG (for himself, Mr. PALLONE, and Mr. RADANOVICH) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Inter-
national Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Serv-
ices, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each 
case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of 
the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To prohibit United States assistance to develop or promote 
any rail connections or railway-related connections that 
traverse or connect Baku, Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, Georgia; 
and Kars, Turkey, and that specifically exclude cities 
in Armenia. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘South Caucasus Inte-
gration and Open Railroads Act of 2005’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) United States policy toward the countries of 
the South Caucasus is intended to foster regional 
stability and enhanced cooperation. 
(2) The development of political, economic, and 
security ties among all countries of the South 
Caucasus and between the South Caucasus region 
and the West, will enhance regional stability and ad-
vance United States interests. 
(3) The development of open and integrated 
transportation routes in the countries of the South 
Caucasus will provide positive incentives for inter-
national private investment, increased trade, and 
other forms of commercial interaction with the rest 
of the world. 
(4) The Republic of Armenia is a valued ally of 
the United States and democratic countries through-
out the world. The United States continues to value 
the strong bond that exists between Armenia and 
the United States. 
(5) The exclusion of Armenia from regional eco-
nomic and commercial undertakings in the South 
Caucasus undermines the United States policy goal 
of promoting a stable and cooperative environment 
in the region.
(6) A new railroad has been proposed con-
necting Baku, Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, Georgia; and 
Kars, Turkey, which would cost at least $400 to 
$800 million to build. 
(7) The proposed railroad specifically bypasses 
Armenia and serves to isolate Armenia from East- 
West commercial corridors. 
(8) A railroad that connects Tbilisi, Georgia; 
Gyumri, Armenia; and Kars, Turkey, already exists. 
(9) The existing railroad is in working condition 
and could be operational within weeks of an agree-
ment among Armenia, Georgia, and Turkey, with 
minor repairs needed in specific locations. 
(10) Azerbaijan’s leading role in developing the 
proposed Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad and other simi-
lar actions by Azerbaijan serve to undermine and 
avoid a just solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh con-
flict and potentially destabilize the region. 
SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE FOR 
THE PROPOSED BAKU-TBILISI-KARS RAIL-
ROAD. 
(a) PROHIBITION.—Assistance under the provisions 
of law described in subsection (b) may not be made avail-
able to develop or promote any rail connections or railway- 
related connections that do not traverse or connect with
Armenia, and do traverse or connect Baku, Azerbaijan; 
Tbilisi, Georgia; and Kars, Turkey. 
(b) PROVISIONS OF LAW.—The provisions of law re-
ferred to in subsection (a) are the following: 
(1) Title IV of chapter 2 of part I of the For-
eign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2191 et 
seq.; relating to the Overseas Private Investment). 
(2) Chapter 12 of part I of the Foreign Assist-
ance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2296 et seq.; relating 
to assistance for the countries of the South 
Caucasus and Central Asia). 
(3) Section 661 of the Foreign Assistance Act 
of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2421; relating to the Trade and 
Development Agency). 
(4) The Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 
U.S.C. 635 et seq.). 
(5) Any other provision of law. 
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