Author: Karapet Navasardian

• Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet on November 26.
• Armenia has applied to Russia to mediate the Armenia-Turkey normalization process, says Armenian official.
• There is no agreement yet regarding the unblocking of regional transport communications, says Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.

Asenior United States senator, known for his ties to the U.S.’ Greek and Armenian lobbies, has proposed measures that target Turkey’s defense sector exports and aid to Azerbaijan.

New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, chairperson of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Thursday recommended measures to put Turkey’s drone program under harsh scrutiny and deny any further aid to Azerbaijan.

Menendez’ proposed changes to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) seek to tighten U.S. government tracking and reporting on Turkey’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) exports for national security reasons and to prevent further allowances to bypass a 1992 law banning U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan.

The senator has claimed that Turkey’s drone sales are “dangerous, destabilizing and a threat to peace and human rights.”

Mentioning how Turkish drones played a critical role in Azerbaijan’s fall 2020 liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh from nearly 30 years of illegal Armenian occupation, Menendez pointed out how Poland, a NATO member, Morocco and Ukraine, both allies of the West, also purchased Turkish drones.

Several other countries have expressed interest in purchasing Turkish drones, he said, including Angola, Niger, Nigeria and Rwanda.

Menendez’s proposed changes would require the U.S. Defense Department and the State Department to investigate whether Turkish drones contain U.S.-made parts or technology. They would also require the State Department to determine whether Turkey’s exports are a violation of the Arms Export Control Act or any other U.S. laws or sanctions.

On Azerbaijan, Menendez is pushing to stop any more exceptions to a 1992 law banning U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan. The 1992 law in question bans most assistance to Azerbaijan “until it takes demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.”

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

New clashes erupted on Sept. 27 last year, with the Armenian army attacking civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violating several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and some 300 settlements and villages that had been occupied by Armenia for almost 30 years.

Prior to this, about 20% of Azerbaijan’s territory was also under illegal occupation.

The fighting ended with a Russian-brokered agreement on Nov. 10, 2020, with the cease-fire seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia.

Two months later, the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a pact to develop economic ties and infrastructure to benefit the entire region. It also included the establishment of a trilateral working group on Karabakh.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region’s Armen Sahakyan ends his tenure as the executive director after nearly three years, as he and his wife repatriate to Armenia. Sahakyan will continue to remain engaged with the organization in a consulting capacity.

“It’s been my honor to serve the Armenian-American community with the ANCA these last 13 years,” remarked Sahakyan. “From a local activist to a fellow to an executive director, I have worked alongside incredible individuals who fight tirelessly every day for our community. Thank you in particular to the ANCA-WR Board of Directors, staff, committee members, and volunteers for their trust and productive collaboration over the past three years. I wish the organization continued growth and success in service of the Armenian Cause.”

• Armenia’s Consul General to Los Angeles Ambassador Armen Baibourtian (center left) presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Sahakyan
• Sahakyan with ANCA-WR board members at the farewell reception hosted by the organization

Sahakyan’s tenure as the executive director coincided with the devastating 44-day war, as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; the organization promptly responded to both crises deploying all available resources to contribute to the safety and wellbeing of the community and the Homeland. This period also marked the historic recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and the U.S. President – a policy priority long pursued by the ANCA. Additionally, the ANCA-WR deepened relations with a number of coalition partners, substantially increased media engagement, and implemented civic education initiatives.

“The ANCA Western Region has been truly fortunate to have Armen Sahakyan as its Executive Director especially during these last few years filled with triumph as well as crises. We are proud of his achievements and applaud his enviable decision with his wife Talin to repatriate to the Homeland. While his departure is certainly a loss for us, his move will be Armenia’s gain, and we eagerly anticipate his continued work and further accomplishments in service to the Nation.”

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s Chief of Staff Anna Mouradian presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Sahakyan

The ANCA-WR Board of Directors hosted a farewell reception on October 14 during which they presented Sahakyan with a commemorative plaque. California State Senator Anthony Portantino and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s Chief of Staff Anna Mouradian also presented certificates of appreciation. On October 27, at the end of a reception honoring State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh Artak Beglaryan, Armenia’s Consul General to Los Angeles Ambassador Armen Baibourtian presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Sahakyan for his many years of dedicated service and effective cooperation with the Consulate. 

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential nonpartisan Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues in pursuit of the Armenian Cause.