Author: Kajoyan Gevork

ARMENIA: A POLITICAL PRISONER TO SOME, A CRIMINAL TO OTHERS
Gayane Abrahamyan

EurasiaNet
May 23 2008
NY

More than a month after the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe demanded that Armenia release "all prisoners who did not
commit crimes" during the March 1 political clashes in Yerevan,
few of the seeming political reasons have been released.

The April 16 PACE resolution called on Armenia, as a member of the
Council of Europe, to release "urgently" those who were "detained on
seemingly artificial and politically motivated charges, or who did not
personally commit any violent acts or serious offences in connection
with them." [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Since the resolution’s adoption, only two individuals, Karapet
Rubinian, a former deputy speaker of the National Assembly, who managed
presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian’s campaign in one Yerevan
district, and Tigran Baghdasarian, an opposition activist arrested
for resisting arrest, have regained their freedom.

Rubinian was released pending a later trial; Baghdasarian was freed
on bail. The general prosecutor’s office states that two other
individuals called in for questioning about the events of March 1
have since been arrested.

On May 22, the opposition member facing the longest prison term —
Harutiun Urutian — a campaign manager for Ter-Petrosian in the
northwestern Shirak region — had his original seven-year jail term
reduced by one year by the Court of Appeals, Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty reported.

Two of the more prominent prisoners kept in a so-called "pre-trial
detention" — opposition leader Aram Karapetian and Ter-Petrosian
campaign manager Alexander Arzumanian — have had their detention
prolonged by two months.

The government and opposition are far apart when in comes to defining
who is a political prisoner. Many government officials continue to
insist that the jailed opposition members were taken into custody
purely on suspicion of committing criminal acts, and not as part on
an effort to exact a measure of political revenge. Opposition leaders
dismiss the government claim as patently false. [For background see
the Eurasia Insight archive].

At a May 19 discussion about the PACE resolution, President Serzh
Sarkisian appeared to walk a fine line in addressing the issue, hinting
at a desire to honor the PACE resolution, but making no definitive
statements. "It is important that we be guided by criminal law, and
that there be no political decisions," local media outlets reported
Sarkisian as saying in reference to the dozens of supporters of
opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosian who were arrested after March
1. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

"No one who committed a grave crime must go unpunished," he
continued. "However, a person must not be sentenced [to prison]
for their political convictions and beliefs."

As of May 12, 54 individuals of 135 arrested after the March 1
clashes remain in jail; another 30 have been charged, but were
released after signing a document that forbids them from leaving
the country, according to the general prosecutor’s office. March 1
detainees are mostly facing charges of attempting to overthrow the
government through mass disturbances, and with using force against
"representatives of the authorities."

Ter-Petrosian’s office puts the number of detainees at 96, but concedes
that the figure includes people detained during the election campaign.

Back in April, former president Robert Kocharian announced that an
investigative panel would present facts to prove the government’s
assertions concerning the prisoners. To date, however, no conclusive
findings have been released, although special investigators on May 22
issued a statement about the construction of some 80 metal objects
allegedly used by demonstrators to "cause bodily injuries to police
officers and to provoke mass disorders" on March 1.

Controversial court hearings are held almost daily in Yerevan and
other towns; crowds often gather to protest. In Gyumri, Armenia’s
second largest town, opposition members broke courthouse windows
demanding permission to attend a trial. Those who manage to get
into courtrooms often refuse to stand when the judge enters; and the
accused are greeted with applause.

A report released in late April by Armenia’s Human Rights Defender
Armen Harutiunian noted that "society wants to know why the [March
1] prisoners are from the opposition alone." A task force set up
by Harutiunian has visited about 90 of the detainees; reportedly 10
percent of those interviewed claimed that they had been tortured in
police stations, or while being brought into the stations.

Among those who question the imprisonment of these detainees is
political analyst Stepan Grigorian, formerly associated with the
pro-opposition Armat political analysis center. "I am astonished by
the repressive capacities of our country," commented Grigorian.

Artur Sakunts, chairman of the Vanadzor office for the Helsinki
Citizens’ Assembly, a human rights organization, questioned
whether an objective government investigation into the cases was
possible. "They punish people, saying they held a stick in their
hands, they beat a policeman armed with a truncheon and a stun gun,
or they kept 40 bullets at home," Sakunts said. "But who killed those
10 people? Three months have already past, but the relatives of the
victims don’t even hope [to get an answer]." [For background see the
Eurasia Insight archive].

Mikayel Baghdasarian, chairman of a prison watchdog group who has
visited about 70 of the detainees, says that investigations are
dragging along. "My impression is that people are kept under arrest
simply to buy time until things stabilize, and, to intimidate them. In
many cases, the investigator has not even visited them for a month,
and many of them simply don’t know why they are there and why their
arrest keeps being prolonged," Baghdasarian said.

Hunger strikes have been one method taken by detainees to protest
their arrest; friends and relatives often join in. On May 21, a
hunger strike against the detention of New Rights Party leader Aram
Karapetian ended. Strikes to release veterans of the Nagorno-Karabakh
war against Azerbaijan, however, continue.

On May 2, Ter-Petrosian stated that he would agree to talks with the
government "if authorities fulfill the PACE requirements and release
[our] imprisoned friends," but the pledge had little political effect.

PRESS RELEASE
Date: May 22, 2008
Armenian National Committee of America
Eastern Region
122 W. 27th St. Floor 12, New York, NY 10001
Contact: Karine Birazian
Tel: 917-428-1918

ANCA-ER MARKS 89TH ANNIVERSARY OF PONTIAN GENOCIDE
AT NEW YORK CITY EVENT

New York, NY- On May 19, 2008, Armenian National Committee of
America Eastern Region (ANCA ER) Executive Director took part in
commemorating the 89th Anniversary of the Pontian Genocide. Strong
winds and brisk temperatures did not keep community activists from
gathering at Bowling Green Park for the first New York City
commemoration.

Organizing the event was the Federation of Hellenic Societies of
Greater New York and the Pan-Pontian Federation of USA and Canada.
Dimitris Molohides, Secretary of the Pan-Pontian Federation of USA
and Canada, addressed the crowd in attendance and urged for
decisive action for recognition of the Pontian Genocide.

Molohides, who spoke at the Armenian Genocide commemorative event
at City Hall in New York City during the ANC of NY’s April 24th
event stated "today, May 19th the Pontian community with Hellenes
and Philhellenes here in New York City and around the world will
commemorate the 89th anniversary of the Pontian… it is the first
time that we gather here in the Bowling Green Park in the heart of
the economic center of New York City to raise together the Greek
flag and the single-headed eagle symbol of Pontus. Today’s event
is an emotional but also a historical moment for all of us that are
present here."

Speaking on behalf of the ANCA, Birazian addressed the crowd. In
her statement she remarked: "the tragic sufferings of Armenians,
Assyrians, and Greeks will never be forgotten. The Turkish
Government tries to silence us, but we will not be silenced, and
together we will in fact end Turkey’s "Gag Rule" and seek
recognition of this great crime. Nine decades ago they tried to
silence the innocent victims that fell under the Turkish sword, and
today we are still here. Nine decades from now we will still be
here for we will never forget and work to seek justice" (Full
comments can be read below).

Also present at the event include the Cypriot Action Network of
America (CANA), the presidents and members of the two local
associations "Komninoi" of New York and "Pontos" of Norwalk
Connecticut and from the "Holy Institution Panagia Soumela."
Speakers included Reverend Father Ioannis Romas from the St.
Nicholas church that was destroyed on 9/11, Mr. Dimitris Dimitriou,
General Secretary – Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New
York, Mr. Elias Tsekerides, Past President of Pan-Pontian
Federation USA & Canada, Ms. Donna Fotiadou, member and
coordinating committee of the Pontian Youth Association USA &
Canada, and Mr. Ioannis Fidanakis, President of Panthracian Union
of America "Orpheus."

The Ottoman Empire, under the cover of World War I, undertook a
systematic and deliberate effort to eliminate its minority
Christian populations. This genocidal campaign resulted in the
death and deportation of well over 2,000,000 Armenians, Assyrians,
and Greeks.

The Pontian Genocide has been formally acknowledged by Greece and
Cyprus and, within the United States, by the states of New York,
New Jersey, Florida, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania,
and Illinois, among others. Most recently, the International
Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) released a statement
commenting:

"BE IT RESOLVED that it is the conviction of the International
Association of Genocide Scholars that the Ottoman campaign against
Christian minorities of the Empire between 1914 and 1923
constituted a genocide against Armenians, Assyrians, and Pontian
and Anatolian Greeks.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Association calls upon the
government of Turkey to acknowledge the genocides against these
populations, to issue a formal apology, and to take prompt and
meaningful steps toward restitution."
#####
Photo Caption: Dimitris Molohides, Secretary of the Pan-Pontian
Federation of USA and Canada reading a proclamation in recognition
of the Pontian Genocide

Comments by ANCA ER Director

"On behalf of the Armenian National Committee of America, I would
like to thank the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New
York and the Pan-Pontian Federation of USA and Canada for inviting
us here to speak in commemoration of the 89th Anniversary of the
Pontian Greek Genocide.

My personal relationship with the Pontian Greek community is very
recent, where after the passage of a mandate to teach genocide in
the Illinois school system, I met George Mavropoulos and others
from the Pontian Society of Chicago Xeniteas Chapter and from there
a dedicated team of individuals worked to organize and host
successful workshops on the teaching of genocide to teachers
throughout the Chicagoland area. We shared a common ground, not
only because of the closeness of our culture and heritage, but we
both suffered a genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire and relive
it each day with its ongoing denial today.

The tragic sufferings of Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks will
never be forgotten. The Turkish Government tries to silence us,
but we will not be silenced, and together we will in fact end
Turkey’s "Gag Rule" and seek recognition of this great crime. Nine
decades ago they tried to silence the innocent victims that fell
under the Turkish sword, and today we are still here. Nine decades
from now we will still be here for we will never forget and work to
seek justice.

Though this is a somber occasion, the devotion our organizations
have in making sure this great crime against humanity is never
forgotten shows the strength of our survival. I am proud that the
Armenian National Committee of America is working to build a
relationship with the Federation of Hellenic Society, and the Pan-
Pontian Federation of USA and Canada, and as victims of genocide, I
urge everyone not only to continue working for recognition of this
crime, but also work in stopping the ongoing genocide in Darfur.
We must be the voice for those who cannot speak and fight for those
who cannot do so. I urge you all to take action, and come and
rally with Africa Action and other organizations this Thursday, May
22, at 12pm to urge the United Nations to take action and make sure
that the deployment of well equipped peacekeepers to Darfur happen.
We need your presence there to make a difference. The rally will
take place at Lexington and 45th St."

ARMENIA TO DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO

armradio.am
21.05.2008 18:20

Armenia intends to increase the number of its peacekeepers in Kosovo
from 34 to 70 in June of the current year, RA Defense Minister Seyran
Ohanyan declared at the National Assembly today.

"The mission carried out by Armenian peacekeepers in Kosovo received
high appreciation from the international command during the past
years," Seyran Ohanyan declared. The Minister noted that the increase
of the number of Armenian peacekeepers derives from military and
military-political considerations. Seyran Ohanyan noted that despite
the fact that some countries, particularly Azerbaijan, refused from
peacekeeping mission after Kosovo’s independence, it will not lead
to any change of the status of peacekeeping forces in Kosovo.

The Defense Minister told reporters that there are no concrete
arrangements on sending Armenian peacekeepers to Afghanistan. In his
words, the Armenian authorities have not made the final decision on
the issue.

UN: ARMENIA VOTES AGAINST RESOLUTION ON RETURN OF DISPLACED TO ABKHAZIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.05.2008 14:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The General Assembly today adopted a resolution in
which it recognized the right of return of all refugees and internally
displaced persons (IDPs), regardless of their ethnicity, to Abkhazia.

With 14 votes in favor, 11 against and 105 abstentions, the Assembly
adopted a Georgian-sponsored text that recognizes the right of return
for IDPs and refugees and also their descendants.

The resolution stresses the importance of preserving the property
rights of the refugees and IDPs and underlines the urgent need for
a timetable to ensure the prompt voluntary return of all refugees
and IDPs.

Assembly members also requested that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
submit a comprehensive report at the Assembly’s next session on the
implementation of today’s resolution.

The countries which supported the resolution make 7 per cent of the
total number of the UN member states.

In favor: Albania, Azerbaijan, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania,
Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, U.S. and Ukraine.

Against: Russia, Armenia, Venezuela, India, Iran, China, Myanmar,
Serbia, Syria, Sudan, the UN news center reports.

HAYASTAN ALL-ARMENIAN FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ MEETING TO TAKE PLACE

KarabakhOpen
16-05-2008 11:51:33

Yerevan, May 16, 2008 – We are pleased to announce that the Hayastan
All Armenian Fund Board of Trustees’ 17th Meeting is scheduled to take
place on May 27 at the Government House of Receptions in Yerevan. The
meeting will be opened and chaired by the newly elected President
of the Republic of Armenia Serge Sargsyan. The President of Nagorno
Karabakh Bako Sahakyan, Prime Ministers of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh
Tigran Sargsyan and Araik Harutyunyan, Ministers Eduard Nalbandyan,
Tigran Davtyan, appointed to their posts following the Fund’s board
of trustees meeting in June 2007 will attend the Fund’s annual meeting
as ex officio members of the board of trustees.

The Fund’s Executive Director Vahe Aghabegians will brief the trustees
and the affiliate representatives on the Fund’s projects in Armenia
and Karabakh, including those carried out within the rural development
progarm.

The trustees will discuss and finalize the long-term objectives,
short-term plans and immediate actions of the Fund, as well as the
specifics of the Fund’s upcoming annual telethon, traditionally held
on the Thanksgiving Day in Los Angeles.

On the eve of the board of trustees’ meeting, May 26, the President
of the Republic Prize official ceremony will take place at the
Residence of the Armenian President. The list of the winners in 13
nominations will be announced and the prizes will be awarded to them
by the President of Armenia. The President of the Republic Prize – a
significant input of the Boghossian Foundation in Armenia’s cultural
life since 2001 – has been an important part of the Hayastan All
Armenians Fund’s activities.

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund

VIIVACELL, UNICEF JOINT PROJECT IMPROVES EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

armradio.am
16.05.2008 16:10

UNICEF and VivaCell, a subsidiary of Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (NYSE:
MBT) announced today that thanks to their joint initiative, access
to quality education for more than 200 Armenian children with special
needs will become much easier.

Over 36 million drams donated by VivaCell to UNICEF in 2007 were spent
on establishing and furnishing resource rooms in eight inclusive
schools in Yerevan and Tavoush province as well as on the purchase
and outfitting of three specially equipped minibuses that will be
provided to three community centers offering transportation services
to children with special needs in Tavoush.

"The partnership between VivaCell and UNICEF vividly demonstrates how
public and private sectors can work hand in hand for the benefit of
children. I welcome this joint initiative that creates opportunities
for children with special needs to exercise their right to education,"
Bagrat Yesayan, Deputy Minister of Education and Science said during
the ceremony of handover of minibuses and resource rooms held today
at the inclusive school No.180 in Avan community of Yerevan.

"This joint initiative will help ensure that children with special
needs have full access to quality education in eight inclusive schools,
and will enable community centres to provide outreach services to
other children with special needs," UNICEF Representative in Armenia
Sheldon Yett said.

"Too many children with disabilities are unnecessarily prevented
from going to school, while others are consigned to environments that
discourage real learning – environments that are unhealthy, unsafe,
ineffective, and unfriendly," the UNICEF Representative added.

"We have often been considered as doing philanthropy. However, what
VivaCell is doing is a clear responsibility toward the country in which
our Company operates and toward the children of Armenia. By this act of
social responsibility, VivaCell will help children with special needs
to get quality education. With special vehicles and resource rooms
it will be much easier for them to achieve this. VivaCell recruits
individuals with disabilities and invites other enterprises operating
in Armenia to do the same," said Ralph Yirikian, the General Manager
of VivaCell.

Under the project each of the eight selected inclusive schools was
equipped with a resource room where children, with the support from
specially trained teachers, will engage in various developmental
activities. Resource rooms will also serve as a place of convergence
for parents of children with special needs where they will be able
to receive information and guidance from professionals.

Through the project, over 100 teachers from the eight schools were
also provided training to improve their knowledge and skills on
methodologies of working with children with special needs.

According to the Ministry of Labour and Social Issues, there
are approximately 8,500 children with disabilities living in the
Republic of Armenia. Although the country has 14 inclusive schools
and 5 UNICEF-supported community centres that cater for the needs
of 1,500 children with disabilities, many of these children remain
isolated from the society and deprived from basic education.

Inclusive education ensures the right to education for children with
special needs and provides them with opportunities to develop their
social skills and become productive and full-fledged members of their
community and the society now and in the future.

Since 2001 UNICEF has been supporting projects on inclusive education
which demonstrate that most children with special needs can, with
motivation and effort from teachers, school administrators and students
themselves, thrive in a mainstream environment.

DOCTOR LYNN JONES REPORT ON ARMENIAN KINGSHIP

AZG Armenian Daily
17/05/2008

Science

On May 22, in the Center of the National Association for Armenian
Studies and Research Doctor Lynn Jones from Florida State University
will present a report titled "Between Islam and Byzantium; Akhtamar
and visual construction of Medieval Armenian Kingship".

This lecture is the second one that is organized in honor of engineer
and active member of the National Association for Armenian Studies
and Research Arshak Mergerian.

BONUS TO PENSIONS OF VETERANS WILL BE RAISED

KarabakhOpen
17-05-2008 12:46:43

On May 16 President Bako Sahakyan met with a group of veterans of
the Great Patriotic War led by the chair of the Council of Veterans
of War and Work Aram Martirosyan.

The president informed that from July 1 the monthly bonus to their
pensions will be raised. By the way, a few days ago the Armenian
government decided to raise the bonus from 10 thousand to 20 thousand
drams.

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic had a great contribution to the Great
Patriotic War. Each third inhabitant of Karabakh which is 45 thousand
people participated in the war. Of them only 22 thousand returned.

Of those 22 thousand veterans only 1050 are alive now. Of them 307
live in Stepanakert.

ARMENIA BACKS IRAN’S NUCLEAR RIGHT

Islamic Republic News Agency
May 15 2008
Iran

Armenia’s Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanian on Wednesday said that
Iran has the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful aims.

In a meeting with the Iranian Ambassador to Yerevan Ali Saqaeian,
Ohanian added that Iran’s nuclear activities were peaceful.

He stated that all countries including Iran have the right to use
nuclear technology to make progress and promote their goals in line
with regulations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Saqaeian submitted the message of Iran’s Defense Minister Mostafa
Mohammad Najjar for his Armenian counterpart who has congratulated
his appointment.

The envoy also invited Armenian minister to pay a visit to Iran which
was welcomed by Ohanian.

The two sides praised the current level of ties between the two
neighboring countries and stressed the importance of boosting bilateral
relations.

They called for implementation of agreements already signed between
the two capitals.

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE
May 15, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

REP. SCHIFF INTRODUCES BILL CALLING FOR THE END OF TURKEY’S
BLOCKADE OF ARMENIA

— Legislation Calls on Secretary of State to Submit Report on U.S.
Efforts to Lift Turkey’s Blockade

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced legislation
today calling on the President and Secretary of State to urge
Turkey to lift its 15 year blockade of Armenia and outline concrete
steps taken by the Administration in that effort, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.)

Titled the "End the Turkish Blockade of Armenia Act," the
legislation notes that "Turkey’s ongoing blockade of Armenia does
not promote regional security and prosperity, thereby undermining
the short-term and long-term policy objectives of the United
States." It goes on to cite that the "Department of State has
estimated that the blockade is inflating Armenia’s transportation
costs by between 30 and 35 percent, thereby stifling its trade and
economy." The resolution, in addition to calling for the immediate
lifting of Turkey’s blockade, would mandate that the Secretary of
State "submit to Congress a report that outlines the steps taken
and plans made by the United States to end Turkey’s blockade of
Armenia," within thirty days of the bill’s passage.

"We need to step up pressure on Turkey to lift the draconian
blockade of Armenia, permitting Armenian businesses to fully
participate in the global economy and assisting Armenia’s
integration into Europe," explained Rep. Schiff.

"Turkey’s illegal blockade of Armenia represents a violation of
international law, a clear hindrance to U.S. regional interests,
and an immoral action intended to economically isolate and
impoverish the Armenian people," stated ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian. "We welcome Rep. Schiff’s leadership in demanding
Congressional oversight of any concrete steps the Administration
has taken to pressure Turkey to lift its blockade."

The Schiff resolution is similar to legislation introduced in the
109th Congress (H.R.3103), which secured 14 cosponsors. In the
110th Congress, Rep. Schiff is lead author, along with Reps. George
Radanovich (R-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Congressional Armenian
Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) of
the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106, which was adopted by
the House Foreign Affairs Committee last October and currently has
over 200 cosponsors.

The complete text of the resolution is provided below.

#####

To direct the Secretary of State to submit a report outlining the
steps taken and plans made by the United States to end Turkey’s
blockade of Armenia, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. SCHIFF introduced the following bill.

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of State to submit a report outlining the
steps taken and plans made by the United States to end Turkey’s
blockade of Armenia, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ”End the Turkish Blockade of Armenia
Act”

SEC. 2. REPORT RELATING TO THE TURKISH-ARMENIAN BORDER.

(a) FINDINGS. – Congress finds the following:

(1) United States policy toward Turkey and the south Caucasus has
prioritized security, conflict resolution, ensuring open borders
and commercial corridors, and regional cooperation.

(2) Turkey’s ongoing blockade of Armenia does not promote regional
security and prosperity, thereby undermining the short-term and
long-term policy objectives of the United States.

(3) The Department of State has estimated that the blockade is
inflating Armenia’s transportation costs by between 30 and 35
percent, thereby stifling its trade and economy.

(4) Turkey’s blockade of Armenia has prevented United States and
international humanitarian assistance from crossing its borders, a
violation of international law, international human rights and
humanitarian standards, and Turkey’s commitments to the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

(5) Turkey is the only Council of Europe (CE) country and NATO
member to engage in a blockade against a fellow CE country and has
been repeatedly urged by the European Union (EU) to open the last
closed border of Europe.

(6) United States, Turkish, NATO-Partnership for Peace, and EU
security and economic interests would be advanced Turkey
immediately and unconditionally lifting its ongoing 15-year
blockade of Armenia.

(7) The removal of all blockades and border closures in and
adjacent to the countries of the south Caucasus will provide
positive incentives for United States private investment, increased
trade with the West, and other forms of economic and political
interactions with the global community.

(8) By lifting its blockade of Armenia, Turkey will be playing a
constructive role in continuing the development of infrastructure
necessary for regional communications, transportation, energy, and
trade on an East-West axis.

(9) If there is to be a resolution of conflicts in the region and a
reduction of tensions along borders, it is essential that the
blockade of Armenia be lifted.

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS – It is the sense of Congress that the
President and Secretary of State should call upon Turkey to comply
with the long-standing position of the United States that in order
to restore economic, political, and cultural links with Armenia,
Turkey should immediately lift its ongoing blockade with Armenia.

(c) REPORT – Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to Congress a
report that outlines the steps taken and plans made by the United
States to end Turkey’s blockade of Armenia.