Author: Emil Lazarian

WASHINGTON, DC –Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan outlined the Armenian National Committee of America’s (ANCA) policy priorities in testimony submitted to the US House panel drafting the FY24 foreign aid bill – with a sharp focus on delivering an urgently needed $75 million aid package to Artsakh and holding Azerbaijan accountable for its ongoing Artsakh blockade and increasing aggression.

Yerimyan made the case that, “in the wake of Azerbaijan’s ethnic-cleansing of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), the occupation of Armenia’s sovereign territory, and the ongoing humanitarian blockade of Artsakh, we ask this Subcommittee hold the Aliyev regime accountable by cutting off all US military aid to its armed forces and help meet pressing humanitarian and recovery needs in Artsakh with a robust assistance package.”

Speaking to the need for increased aid to Armenia, Yerimyan prioritized US aid programs aimed at materially strengthening Armenia’s security and sovereignty in the face of escalating Turkish and Azerbaijani threats.

The full text of the ANCA’s testimony – submitted to Chairman Mario Diaz Balart (R-FL) and Ranking Member Barbara Lee (D-CA) of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations – is provided below.

Similar testimony will also be submitted for Senate consideration.

#####

The Armenian-American Community & US Foreign Assistance Policy for Fiscal Year 2024

Presented by Tereza Yerimyan
Government Affairs Director
of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)

For the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Committee on Appropriations, of the United States House of Representatives:

Thank you, Chairman Diaz-Balart and Ranking Member Lee, for your strong leadership of this Subcommittee and your strong support for the national and democratic aspirations of the Armenian nation.

In the wake of Azerbaijan’s ethnic-cleansing of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), the occupation of Armenia’s sovereign territory, and the ongoing humanitarian blockade of Artsakh, we ask this Subcommittee hold the Aliyev regime accountable by cutting off all U.S. military aid to its armed forces and help meet pressing humanitarian and recovery needs in Artsakh with a robust assistance package.

Since December 12th, Azerbaijan has blockaded the Lachin Corridor – the only road connecting the Armenians of Artsakh with the Republic of Armenia, and the sole means by which food, fuel, medicine and other essential goods are able to reach the region. Azerbaijan has also undermined the region’s gas and electricity supply – cutting heat amid freezing temperatures. And interruptions to internet access have threatened to cut the region’s capacity to communicate with the outside world. Prior to the blockade, Artsakh regularly received approximately 400 tons a day of supplies, and now only receives a few boxes a day via International Committee of the Red Cross vehicles.

Since early 2022, the ANCA has maintained a presence in the region in order to assess the needs of the local population. Our colleague, a U.S. citizen who is also living under the blockade, reports a dire humanitarian crisis with long-term implications. Vital medication including insulin is in short supply, baby formula and other sources of essential nutrition are inaccessible, and basic sanitary goods are running critically low. The impact the blockade has had on the region’s livestock and agriculture has been profound, threatening the region’s long-term food security.

Almost three years since the end of the 2020 Artsakh War, the region’s indigenous Armenian inhabitants have found no respite.  The blockade has compounded hardship for the region’s vulnerable Armenian population still reeling from the impact of the war. As members of this panel know, to this day over 40,000 of Artsakh’s civilians remain permanently displaced as a result of Azerbaijan’s military conquest of 75% of the region’s territory. Despite having characterized this as an “acute humanitarian crisis,” USAID has so far failed to provide any direct US humanitarian assistance programs within Artsakh. Unexploded ordnance from illegal cluster munitions used by Azerbaijan during the war have contaminated civilian areas. Schools and hospitals and other vital public infrastructure are still in a state of disrepair, after they were deliberately targeted during the war. Armenian cultural heritage and holy sites in areas under Azerbaijan’s control have been systematically desecrated and destroyed. And Azerbaijan continues to hold over 100 Armenian prisoners of war hostage, who face torture and psychological abuse.

Despite the November 2020 ceasefire, Azerbaijan’s policy of aggression has continued unabated – not only in its regular incursions along the line of contact in Artsakh, but in its violation of Armenian sovereignty. The situation continues to deteriorate daily. On Sunday, March 5, 2023 Azerbaijani forces launched an attack on the region killing three Armenian police officers – while Azerbaijan’s President recently issued an ultimatum demanding the integration of Nagorno Karabakh into Azerbaijan, sparking concerns of renewed conflict.

These actions are in line with Azerbaijan’s pattern of aggression against the Christian Armenian population of Artsakh. Since May 2021, Azerbaijan has occupied and established checkpoints within Armenia’s internationally recognized territory. In September 2022, Azerbaijan engaged in a further escalation – shelling towns well within Armenia’s sovereign borders, including areas within 40 miles of the capital Yerevan. During this latest incursion, Azerbaijan perpetrated horrific human rights abuses – including the mutilation and desecration of female soldiers, and the point-blank execution of unarmed Armenian prisoners of war. The videos of these crimes, widely circulated by Azerbaijani soldiers on social media, have been independently verified by international human rights organizations.

Shockingly, Azerbaijan has yet to be held to account. Just the opposite, in fact: Azerbaijan’s oil-rich Aliyev regime continues to receive U.S. military aid under President Biden’s reckless waiver of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act.

Additionally, neither the Trump nor the Biden administration investigated Turkey’s role in Azerbaijan’s aggression, including Ankara’s recruitment of jihadist mercenaries from Syria and Libya to fight against Armenians. Nor has either administration investigated reports of Turkish F-16s having been used to support Azerbaijan’s attacks. Closer to home, we have yet to see either the Pentagon or Department of State look into potential violations of U.S. arms export laws related to the discovery of U.S. parts and technology in Turkish Bayrakdar drones deployed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh.

Our specific requests related to the FY24 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill fall into four categories:

1) Aid to Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh):

Through the leadership of this Subcommittee, starting in Fiscal Year 1998, direct U.S. aid to Artsakh has been provided to its peaceful inhabitants in the form of maternal health care, clean drinking water, and life-saving demining by the HALO Trust. In the wake of Azerbaijan’s 2020 attack, and to address the crisis arising from Azerbaijan’s prolonged blockade of the region, this aid program must be meaningfully expanded to meet the humanitarian and recovery needs confronting the families of Artsakh – estimated at well over $250,000,000 – helping them rebuild their lives and resettle in safety upon their indigenous Armenian homeland.

We were encouraged by language in the FY23 Consolidated Appropriations Act mandating the Department of State in consultation with USAID prepare a humanitarian assistance strategy to support those impacted by the Artsakh War. In this spirit we ask the Subcommittee to ensure this strategy is delivered and implemented in order to meet short-term humanitarian needs and support a long-term investment in Artsakh. In this spirit, we request the following language to be included in the body of this Act:

Of the funds appropriated under this heading, not less than $75 million shall be made available for assistance programs the Armenian populated area of Nagorno Karabakh, used to provide humanitarian assistance, rebuilding and resettlement support to the Armenian victims of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict – as well as to address the long-term humanitarian consequences of Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor. Such assistance will help to meet basic human needs, including maternity healthcare, drinking water programs, as well as food and energy security.

Refugee Relief: $20,000,000
Food Security: $15,000,000
Energy Security: $10,000,000
Education: $10,000,000
Healthcare: $10,000,000
Water/Sanitation: $5,000,000
Rehabilitation: $3,000,000
Demining/UXO: $2,000,000

2) Azerbaijan

We remain troubled that the Administration – even in the wake of Azerbaijan’s attack on Artsakh, and assault on Armenia’s sovereign territory – has chosen, recklessly and irresponsibly, to waive Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act. Compounding this misstep, the Administration has – according to the General Accountability Office – officially confirmed that it has demonstrably failed to meet its statutory reporting obligations under this law.

U.S. military aid to Baku – including Section 333 (Capacity Building), Foreign Military Financing, and International Military Education and Training – should not materially add to Baku’s equipment stores, tactical abilities, and offensive capabilities, or free up its state resources for renewed cross-border action against both Artsakh and Armenia. We also remain concerned that in addition to the material impact the provision of military assistance has had on Azerbaijan’s capacity to wage its war of aggression against the Armenian people, U.S. military assistance has been interpreted by the Azerbaijan as a signal that its unabated aggression against Armenia and Artsakh will not be met with any material consequences. The continuation of U.S. military aid will serve to embolden and enable the regime’s misconduct.

In light of Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh and the humanitarian crisis it has created – which the Administration has noted undermines the prospects for peace in the region – the Administration should strictly enforce Section 907. Congress, for its part, should rescind the President’s authority to waive this provision of U.S. law, and enact statutory prohibitions on any new U.S. military or security aid to Azerbaijan.

We request the following language to be included in the body of this Act:

No funds appropriated or otherwise made available under this Act may be provided to the Government of Azerbaijan for U.S. military or security programs.

3) Armenia

Armenia – an ancient Christian nation deeply rooted in Western democratic values – has, despite the crushing economic impact of Turkish and Azerbaijani aggression and blockades, stepped forward as an ally and partner for the United States on a broad array of complex regional challenges. Armenia is a member of NATO’s Partnership for Peace and the Armenian military has been among the highest per capita providers of peacekeepers to U.S.-led deployments, including those in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Kosovo, and Mali.

The United States remains uniquely positioned to make important diplomatic advances in the South Caucasus. This is especially true in Armenia, which despite the constant threat of Azerbaijan and Turkey’s authoritarian expansionism, has continued to make strides towards democratic reforms – more so than any other state in the region. At this point, the security of the region’s Armenians, more than any other challenge facing the Armenian people, must be prioritized in our U.S. aid programs. As such, we request the following language to be included in the body of this Act:

Of the funds appropriated by this Act, not less than $100,000,000 shall be made available for assistance for Armenia to support Armenia’s security and sovereignty in the face of regional threats from Turkey and Azerbaijan.

4) Armenian Prisoners of War and Captured Civilians

As part of the November 2020 ceasefire agreement, all parties agreed that the ‘‘exchange of prisoners of war, hostages and other detainees as well as the remains of the fatalities shall be carried out.” However, the Government of Azerbaijan continues to detain over 100 Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and detained persons, misrepresenting their status in an attempt to justify their continued captivity. We request that the following language be included in the final SFOPs bill:

The Committee remains concerned by Azerbaijan’s failure to immediately return all Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians and, thus, (2) urges the Secretary of State to engage at all levels with Azerbaijani authorities, including through the OSCE Minsk Group process, to make clear the importance of adhering to their obligations, under the November 9 statement and international law, to immediately release all prisoners of war and captured civilians.

In closing, we would like to underscore, once again, our urgent calls for robust aid to the Armenian population of Artsakh and a statutory prohibition on U.S. security or military aid to Azerbaijan.

The ANCA, as always, thanks you for your leadership and looks forward to working with the Subcommittee to help save Artsakh, defend Armenia’s sovereignty, and strengthen the U.S.-Armenia alliance, and advance American interests and our shared democratic values.

WASHINGTON, DC — The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is proud to announce the annual launch of the Leo Sarkisian Summer Internship (LSI) and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Fellowship, with an application deadline of April 15, for university students interested in advancing Armenian American policy priorities and gaining firsthand experience in federal-level advocacy.

The six-week in-person program, which will run from June 12 to July 21, 2023, provides a unique opportunity for participants to learn all things advocacy, communications and public policy. The LSI program is an integral part of a growing effort to provide Armenian Americans greater opportunities to explore careers on Capitol Hill, in the US Foreign Service and key Washington, DC foreign policy think tanks. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by April 15, 2023.

“The ANCA’s Leo Sarkisian Summer Internship and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Fellowship are more than just your average internships – they’re immersive and unique experiences that empower young Armenian Americans to grow personally and professionally. Through our program, participants gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to become leaders and make a real impact in their communities and beyond,” said ANCA Youth Programs associate director Tatevik Khachatryan.

The participants work on a wide variety of projects based on their individual interests while gaining hands-on experiences within the American political system. A bi-weekly lecture series features guest lecturers, including members of Congress, ambassadors and Armenian-American leaders. Not only are they presented with lectures, but they will also have the opportunity to engage and network with the ANCA’s vast network of Armenian American professionals from the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway alumni and LSI alumni still residing in the DC area.

During the six-week Washington, DC program, interns live at the Aramian House, named in honor of the late community leader and philanthropist Martha Aramian of Providence, Rhode Island, and located a short distance from the ANCA’s Washington, DC headquarters.

“For many, it is an essential leadership training experience preparing them to advance priorities on campuses and communities nationwide,” added Khachatryan.

The ANCA LSI and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan fellowship are an integral part of the ANCA’s youth empowerment and professional development efforts, including the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program, which helps university students and graduates find internships and permanent positions in Congressional offices, as well as a host of other government agencies and policy groups. The ANCA also hosts the Rising Leaders career development and civic engagement program for university students and the Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer academy for high school students. 

Established in 1986 and named after the ANCA Eastern US leader Leo Sarkisian, a pioneer of ANCA grassroots advocacy, the LSI program is a cornerstone of the ANCA’s nationwide efforts to educate, motivate and activate Armenian American youth to expand advocacy efforts in their hometowns and campuses. It was augmented in 2019 with the establishment of the Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Fellowship, established as a living legacy to a devoted youth leader whose community activism and commitment to the Armenian homeland continue to inspire new generations of young Armenian Americans.

In addition to opportunities in Washington, DC, the ANCA Western Region and ANCA Eastern Region offer internships and fellowships in Los Angeles, Sacramento and virtually throughout the East Coast.

The Convention of the Future Armenian, March 10-12, 2023

YEREVAN—The first pan-Armenian citizens convention was held in Yerevan this week and addressed three goals defined by The Future Armenian initiative: historic responsibility, Armenia-Diaspora unity and population growth.

The convention, which had been in the works for the past year, brought forth a new format for discussions and solutions to pan-Armenian issues.

The “Future Armenian” is a public initiative based on the “citizen’s assembly” model of participatory democracy. The vision of the initiative is to create an atmosphere of collective consciousness and mutual understanding around the sustainable development of Armenia and the Armenian nation. A group of experts voluntarily joined the initiative to identify the existing issues and come up with effective solutions. About 112,000 people initially applied to participate in the initiative, and around 1,000 of those helped to define the 15 goals. Another 200 participants from Armenia and the Diaspora were pre-selected from the general applications through a transparent lottery. Several participants selected from Artsakh could not travel to Yerevan because of the blockade. 

Participants from Armenia and Diaspora with Artak Apitonyan

During the opening ceremony on March 10, there were welcoming remarks by Future Armenian Foundation executive director Artak Apitonyan and co-founders Noubar Afeyan and Ruben Vardanyan. “The blockade of Artsakh showed that it is a lie that an Armenian thinks only about eating. Instead, an Armenian has a longing for discussing ideas. One must believe and realize one’s importance as a person. It cannot be done just by filling stores with food; the concept of the idea is important. Without it, nothing will work for us. Respect for knowledge, for work, for national traditions and values is highly important, I am sure that nothing will be achieved without them,” said Vardanyan during a video call from Artsakh, which has been under blockade by Azerbaijan for over three months.

Ruben Vardanyan giving a welcome speech via video call from Artsakh

The first day of the convention was dedicated to discussions and resolutions surrounding historic responsibility. The expert committee was led by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian of the Eastern Diocese of North America.

Discussions over the goal of historical responsibility

During the pre-convention discussions, experts singled out the Armenian Genocide as a priority in the context of historical responsibility. According to the group, pursuing the recognition and condemnation of the Genocide is not solely a matter of tribute to the past, but a current concern that threatens the existence of the Armenian people and statehood. They urged clarification of the historical responsibility of Armenians relative to the struggle and demands around Genocide recognition. The group suggested outlining clear actions and methods of implementation. Among those would be the establishment of an anti-defamation human rights institute-mechanism, which can fight against any manifestation of genocide denial, as well as an online coordination council for the Genocide recognition process to synchronize the work in all communities. 

The majority of participants expressed that the efforts aimed at the recognition of the Genocide have been mainly effective, although there are areas that could be improved. Today, however, pan-Armenian efforts should be directed primarily toward the solution of existing security issues in Armenia and Artsakh.

The group emphasized the fragility of the situation and the need to answer the following questions: what are we facing, what problems do we have and how should we solve them? According to the experts, our current problems should not hold us back from taking steps toward the future, because our failures are the result of insufficient formulation of explicit goals and the lack of practical steps to achieve them.

The overwhelming majority of participants agreed that the issues facing Artsakh should be the concern of 10 million Armenians, not merely the population of Artsakh and Armenia. Another important conclusion was that Armenians living all over the world should jointly take responsibility for Artsakh and not leave the burden only on the shoulders of the state and citizens. “The Armenian nation should not be afraid of victories;” this is how the members of the expert group summarized the formulation of the problem. Among the suggestions was the convening of an “Artsakh-10 million” forum and the formation of effective mechanisms which will later become permanent institutions. Another suggestion was the creation of a fund to finance projects aimed at the development of the economy and security in Artsakh. The participants also voted for the implementation of an “Armenian Cyber Army” initiative aimed at creating and spreading pro-Armenian content.

“I hope that one day the question of self-determination of Artsakh will be raised by different nations, and the people of Artsakh will be able to create their future on their own,” said entrepreneur and philanthropist Afeyan. He also said that Artsakh’s uncertain future causes extreme pressure in the daily life of the population. Afeyan expressed hope that new ideas for a realistic future would be born during the forum and implemented.

Participants also discussed the preservation of heritage and the responsibility and methods of maintaining Armenian identity for future generations. The experts expressed that the problem of preserving Armenian language, literature, music and other cultural elements exists both in Armenia and in the Diaspora, and it should become a priority issue. Participants proposed initiating an “Ambassadors of Armenian Heritage” movement and concluded that the preservation and transmission of our historical and cultural heritage is the duty of both the state and the Diaspora.

The experts urged for effective mechanisms to encourage the learning of the Armenian language in the Diaspora to further maintain Armenian identity for future generations, including preservation of the Western Armenian language. The experts promoted teaching Western Armenian through programs at the American University of Armenia. Exchanges organized through programs like Birthright Armenia, Ari Tun and Repat Armenia can also contribute to a solution.

Participants of the forum pay tribute to the fallen at Yerablur

The second day of the forum started at Yerablur Military Pantheon, where guests paid tribute to the nation’s fallen heroes. Participants continued discussions on Armenia-Diaspora unity and focused on the following question: how can we build a strong and effective system of Armenia-Diaspora relations based on shared principles and practical foundations? The expert group was led by editor-in-chief of Aravot newspaper Aram Abrahamyan.

Aram Abrahamyan, the leader of the Armenia-Diaspora Unity expert group, editor-in-chief of Aravot newspaper

The group noted that since the independence of Armenia, the Diaspora had significantly impacted the establishment of the state and that, today, Armenia-Diaspora relations are in a crisis. Participants concluded that the conference signaled the feasibility of restoring trust between the homeland and its Diaspora; however, there is a dire need for new cooperation platforms, because unity will amplify the results.

Another key issue is the preservation of the Diaspora. The group noted a lack of support systems for Armenian communities in the Diaspora today. The experts discussed ideas about the efficiency of the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs. Experts agreed on the importance of unity so that Armenia speaks “unanimously” to the Diaspora.

Participants voted for the creation of a cooperative network of businessmen, which would unite Armenian businessmen from different parts of the world under one structure. Participants also voted in favor of a fund that would regularly send Armenian language teachers from Armenia to Diasporan communities.

Armine Hovhannisyan, leader of the Population Growth expert group, director at Orran charitable foundation

On the last day of the forum, population growth was discussed. The expert committee was led by Armine Hovhannisyan, director of the Orran charitable foundation. Discussions centered on understanding the necessary ways to guarantee Armenia’s stable future and overcome demographic challenges. According to the experts, the current demographic trends in Armenia are not very positive. The situation is concerning both for birth and emigration rates. Estimates show that if the current rates remain unchanged, by 2050 the population of Armenia will be about 1.9 million; in the year 2100, one million. Participants set out to establish demographic goals which should be achieved through state policies and broad public support. As a result of the discussions, the participants of the forum concluded that the implementation of the population growth goal should be achieved through programs and initiatives directed toward increasing the birth and immigration rates, as well as reducing emigration through large-scale advocacy and awareness mechanisms.

Artak Apitonyan, executive director of the Future Armenian Foundation

In his speech at the closing ceremony, Apitonyan noted that more than 2,000 proposals were made during the forum. Those proposals will be developed further and will become a basis for more in-depth, sustainable programs. A final report of Future Armenian will be prepared and made available to the public. “One of the most important issues is the establishment of the pan-Armenian dialogue, from small organizations to governmental bodies, and attempts to continue it. But even more important is the following question: how can we influence the existing structures so that they adopt these programs, and how much can we as a society contribute to the implementation of these programs?” wondered Apitonyan. “It also depends on you [the participants of the forum]. From now on, you are the ambassadors of the Future Armenian initiative. Our goal is to expand so that together we can take ownership of our future, make our ideas come true and leave a successful and happy country to the next generations,” he stated.

Cabin Circle demo

FRANKLIN, Mass. — AYF Camp Haiastan has started construction on the upgrades to the Under the Trees and Cabin Circle with the intention to complete these projects by Memorial Day weekend. The new design will double the size of the Under the Trees area with room to seat 150 campers. New benches, an Armenian eternity symbol, landscaping and lighting will be part of the enhancement along with better drainage. The Cabin Circle will undergo beautification upgrades by widening paths and adding benches and enhanced lighting to the inner circle. All design work was done by Kyle Zick Landscape Architecture (KZLA) of Boston with inputs from the Camp Board, Infrastructure Committee and project stakeholders.

Contractor bid meeting, January 27, 2023

Haven Contracting Corporation of Westwood, MA was pre-qualified by the landscape architect and selected with the best bid. They began work in early March and plan to complete the project by Memorial Day. KZLA, Camp Haiastan executive director Kenar Charchaflian, facilities manager John Miller and John Mangassarian will be handling oversight for Camp Haiastan. Miller and Mangassarian led a team of volunteers, mostly from the Providence Men’s Club and a group from the Merrimack Valley, to do the demolition of the existing Under the Trees and Cabin Circle area. All of the memorial bricks have been carefully removed and stored during this construction phase. All memorial bricks will be placed as close to the original locations as possible.

The Camp Board of Directors earmarked the Under the Trees project in memory of one of its long-serving members, Mark Alashaian of New Jersey. The existing Under the Trees was built and dedicated in 1982 in memory of another New Jersey Armenian community member, Vaghinag Koroghlian. The updated project will be in their memory. The Cabin Circle project will be dedicated in memory of Regina Najarian of Wellesley, Massachusetts, who passed away last summer after a courageous battle with cancer.

Donations in support of Under the Trees can be made online or by check and mailed to AYF Camp Haiastan, PO Box C, Franklin, MA 02038, Attn: Under the Trees.