Category: 2019

Pashinyan says will discuss inclusion of Artsakh in NK talks during upcoming Aliyev meeting

Emil Lazarian

Pashinyan says will discuss inclusion of Artsakh in NK talks during upcoming Aliyev meeting

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12:15,

YEREVAN, MARCH 27, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is emphasizing that during the upcoming meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev views will be exchanged around the inclusion of Artsakh in the negotiations of the NK conflict settlement.

The PM was speaking in parliament today when asked to comment on the matter by Prosperous Armenia party lawmaker Naira Zohrabyan.

“Yes, of course, this was the first emphasis in my remarks in Stepanakert”, the PM said, referring to his speech at the Armenia-Artsakh joint Security Council session that took place recently in Stepanakert city.

“I said also during my press conference that I want us all to understand correctly because there are different interpretations both inside and outside Armenia. Strangely, there is an interpretation in Armenia also that this is a proposal on changing the negotiations format. This is not a proposal to change the negotiations format, and it can’t be”.

Pashinyan added that he can predict the upcoming talks with Aliyev will take place within the framework of the earlier statements. “What I have said during the Armenia-Artsakh joint Security Council sessions in Stepanakert is essentially the agenda with which we are heading to the negotiations, discussions, and basically this is the platform that we will rely on during the entire process of further negotiations,” Pashinyan said.

Asked again by Zohrabyan whether the upcoming meeting with Aliyev has an agenda, Pashinyan said that during the previous meetings with the Azerbaijani president he had expressed his stance that at least in the initial phase these meetings should not have a concrete agenda. “There must be a broad circle of issues, and we must simply exchange ideas over various issues,” Pashinyan said.

The Armenian Prime Minister will meet the Azerbaijani President in Austria March 28-29.

 

Co-chaired by Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President Bako Sahakyan of the Republic of Artsakh, on March 12 the Security Councils of Armenia and Artsakh held a joint session in Stepanakert. The agenda included the joint assessment of the current situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and the outline of the coordinated actions.

RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan delivered remarks before discussing the agenda items.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan –
Honorable President of the Artsakh Republic,
Dear Colleagues,

Let me welcome the joint session of the Security Councils of the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh, which is an unprecedented event in the history of our two Republics. This event is both symbolic and, at the very same time, has a specific meaning. I mean that the relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh have entered a qualitatively new stage. What other manifestations that may have in the near future is perhaps one of the most important topics of our discussion.

Dear Colleagues,

This is my first visit to the Republic of Artsakh following the parliamentary elections of December 9, 2018. I would like to emphasize that My Step Alliance received a strong mandate from the people of Armenia to raise the level of the involvement of Artsakh Republic in the peace process and take specific steps to that end. These goals were of paramount importance in the electoral program of My Step Alliance.

The Government of the Republic of Armenia and me, as a prime minister, who has received a strong vote of confidence, will take consistent steps in this direction, and this issue will continue to be one of the most important points of our discussions with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

I would like to underscore that, for us, Artsakh’s engagement in the negotiation process is not a whim or even a precondition, but a statement of the fact that Artsakh’s engagement in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is of pivotal importance.

This position reflects our respect not only for the people of Artsakh and its rights, but also all our partners involved in the negotiation process, because we are truly interested in achieving an exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict, and we believe in the negotiation process, the efficiency of which is a top priority for us, and as I have already mentioned, the issue related to the efficiency of the negotiation process is of pivotal importance.

As a matter of fact, the current framework of the negotiations involves all concerned parties, except one. Azerbaijan is represented by President Aliyev who, by the way, also represents, as he says, the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh, because the representatives of that community participated in the presidential elections in Azerbaijan as citizens of that country and, therefore, gave the President of Azerbaijan the mandate to represent them. Thus, it can be said with confidence that the presence of Azerbaijan’s President at the negotiations table ensures the presence of those Azerbaijanis who used to live in Karabakh before the conflict.

In the negotiation process, the Republic of Armenia is represented by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, who in this case acts as the representative of the people of the Republic of Armenia. Consequently, the citizens of Armenia are also represented in the negotiation process.

The international community is represented in the negotiation process by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. All this, of course, is good and extremely important, and we highly appreciate the efforts made by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs toward the settlement of the conflict.

But the main question is who represents the people of Artsakh, or as it is sometimes referred to, the Armenians of Karabakh in the negotiation process. The problem is that there is no representative who has the mandate, the legitimacy to represent the people of Artsakh in the negotiation process today, as nobody around the negotiation table has received the vote, the mandate of the people of Artsakh or, as some of our partners prefer to refer to, the Armenians of Karabakh.

I have repeatedly stated that the Prime Minister of Armenia cannot have such a mandate as the people of Artsakh are not participating electoral processes in Armenia, they do not vote, therefore, the Prime Minister of Armenia is out of the circle of those who have the legitimacy to represent the people of Artsakh. This is not a matter of whims or a precondition but a matter of legitimacy, and the latter is a key factor in modern-day relations not only in terms of domestic policy, but also in terms of interstate and international relations.

By the way, all those comments stating that the Republic of Armenia and the Prime Minister are thereby trying to shake off their share of responsibility and put the burden on the authorities or people of of Artsakh are baseless. To avoid any speculation, I consider it necessary to underscore that the Republic of Armenia has always been and will remain the number one guarantor of Artsakh’s security and will continue to be actively involved in the peace process.

The next most important question that needs to be answered is whether the Armenian government accepts the three principles and the six elements, proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs as a basis for the negotiation process. This is indeed the most important issue, but important clarifications are needed to answer to this question. What do these principles mean in practice, and who is entitled to interpret them? This is important as we consider unacceptable the way Azerbaijan interprets those principles.

Of course, we can present our own interpretation of these principles, but there will be no use, because our objective is not the engagement in a verbal dispute, but the efficient negotiation process. Therefore, the negotiations should be based on statements which give no room for misinterpretations.

But during the last ten years, the principles and elements proposed by the Co-Chairs, as I have already mentioned, have given rise to the most controversial interpretations, and thus the most important objective of the forthcoming negotiation process should be the clarification of the so-called 3 main principles and 6 elements, and we are open to such talks.

The next important issue is to prepare peoples for peace. I consider it worth emphasizing that preparation of population for peace cannot be a separate issue of only one of the governments involved in the negotiations, and implies joint efforts. For example, preparation of the Azerbaijani population for peace should take place not only with the participation of authorities of Azerbaijan but of Armenia as well.

It was with this very understanding that I voiced an unprecedented statement at the National Assembly of Armenia in autumn of 2018, stressing that any settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue should be equally acceptable to the people of Armenia, the people of Artsakh and the people of Azerbaijan. This was my contribution to preparing for peace not only the peoples of Armenia and Artsakh, but the people of Azerbaijan as well.

Unfortunately, we don’t see relevant statements, steps from the President of Azerbaijan.. Despite this, I am ready to continue the dialogue not only with the President of Azerbaijan, but also with the people of Azerbaijan, as I am convinced that the people of Azerbaijan is as peace loving, as people of Armenia, people of Artsakh. Thank you, dear colleagues. Now we can proceed to our meeting’s agenda,”

President Bako Sahakyan of the Republic of Artsakh –
“Honorable Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, 
Dear Security Council session participants:

We are going to have a first-ever joint discussion of priority issues of vital importance to our two Republics, that is, our Homeland. During this time, we have had several intermediate meetings at different levels, which led to the idea to hold a joint Security Council meeting.

We have also highlighted the need to draft a national agenda, and I am more than convinced that today’s joint session will help us develop such a national agenda.

As it used to be during all these years, the tasks set out in the national agenda have remained unchanged. I am convinced that you all share my firm belief that the international recognition of the independence of the Republic of Artsakh has been and will remain a priority issue for our homeland. At this joint session, we will also have an opportunity to discuss the ways of achieving that goal.

We know that the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia has had several meetings during this period, and I asked Mr. Prime Minister to brief us on the outcome of those meetings and discussions. In turn, I will give details of my latest meeting with the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office. We talked about the situation at the Line of Contact and the negotiation process. Today’s unprecedented joint session will give us an opportunity to address the problems faced in the economy, the developments in our public life, as well as to outline the next steps aimed at enhancing national security, strengthening and further developing our homeland.

I welcome this initiative. I am convinced that our joint session will create favorable conditions for successful work in the aforementioned areas.

Thank you.”

During the discussion that followed, the members of the Security Councils of Armenia and Artsakh dwelt on Artsakh’s security system and reaffirmed that the defense capacity was at a high level.

At the same time, both sides reiterated their support and commitment to the exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group, based on the fundamental principles of international law, in particular the right of peoples to self-determination. They stressed that the security and the status of Artsakh were absolute priorities for the Armenian side.

The speakers highlighted the need for shaping an atmosphere of peace and trust, reducing risks, developing appropriate incident prevention mechanisms and confidence building measures, as enshrined in the final document of Dushanbe and earlier in the framework of the Vienna and St. Petersburg summits.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Asbarez: Rep. Pallone: Artsakh is the Epitome of Armenian

Emil Lazarian
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13 hours ago

Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) shares his support for expanded aid to Artsakh and the importance of passing the Artsakh Travel and Communication Resolution, during this candid video interview with Government Affairs Director Raffi Karakashian.

VIDEO: Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Chats with ANCA about importance of passing the Artsakh Travel and Communication Resolution; Increasing Foreign Aid for Artsakh

WASHINGTON—Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) stressed the importance of lifting U.S. travel and communication restrictions on the Republic of Artsakh in a candid video chat with the Armenian National Committee of America, during which he shared his admiration for the people and culture of the Republic.

During the interview with ANCA Government Affairs Director Raffi Karakashian, Rep. Pallone cited the common obstacles members of Congress face when considering a trip to Artsakh. “First of all you can’t use any U.S. vehicles or transportation to go to Artsakh, but beyond that, they [U.S. State Department] constantly tell you it’s not safe; there’s going to be consequences; you’re going to be put on the Azerbaijan blacklist,” explained Rep. Pallone. “They essentially try to scare people from going – and obviously, if they are trying to scare me and other Members of Congress, that’s certainly going to discourage private individuals and businesses as well.”

Rep. Pallone argued for passage of his Artsakh Travel and Communication Resolution (H.Res.190), introduced earlier in March with the full backing of the ANCA. The measure calls for a U.S. policy which would:

1. allow officials at all levels of the United States Government, including cabinet-level national security officials, general officers, and other executive branch officials, to travel to the Artsakh Republic and openly and directly communicate with their Artsakh counterparts;

2. encourage ongoing open communication, meetings, and other direct contacts between officials of Artsakh and the Executive and Legislative branches of the United States, state and local governments, and American civil society; and

3. seek the full and direct participation of the democratically-elected government of the Artsakh Republic in all OSCE and other negotiations regarding its future.

“It makes no sense to have this travel and communications restriction because we should try to have as much contact as possible with the people there so that there is an understanding of what the people of Artsakh and the government face,” Rep. Pallone told Karakashian. “Artsakh is a functioning democracy, a market economy – very much like the United States and the rest of the West. I want people to know that. And, if it’s going to be successful, there has to be not only political cooperation but economic cooperation. None of that [economic and political cooperation] is helpful if you have a restriction on communications and travel.”

Rep. Pallone went on to discuss his recent testimony submitted to the House Appropriations panel in charge of preparing the Fiscal Year 2020 foreign aid bill, where he argued for expanded aid to the Republic of Artsakh among a broad range of pro-Armenia priorities. “Because of the blockade the lack of recognition by other countries, including ourselves (U.S.), Artsakh’s economy, which is pretty good from what I understand, is always threatened. […] And it [U.S. foreign aid] is also a way of showing that there is a recognition of Artsakh. I like to do whatever I can to show that this country is there, it’s real, it’s democratic, it operates just like any other nation, and certainly, assistance is important for economic reasons, as well as recognition.”

A Congressional letter, spearheaded by Rep. Pallone and the Congressional Armenian Caucus, addressed to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations leadership advocating for expanded Republic of Artsakh and Armenia assistance, currently has 32 signatories – a number that will likely increase later this week.

Congressman Pallone, who has traveled to Artsakh more often than any other U.S. legislator during his years in Congress, told Karakashian that he looks forward to his next trip. “I always want to go back… I want to settle the dispute with Azerbaijan and have it [Artsakh] continue as an independent nation – or perhaps if they voted in a referendum, become part of Armenia. But, to remain Armenian, which is the ultimate goal, and to be recognized as such – either as a Republic or as a part of Armenia. But beyond that – I just love the culture. I just love everything Armenian – and Artsakh is sort of the epitome of Armenian, whether it’s the pottery or the rugs or the culture in general.”

ANCA-WR Meets with Superintendent Thurmond, State Senator Durazo

Nahapetian Samvel
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12 hours ago

From l to r: Tom Adams, Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction, ANCA-WR Board Member Anahid Oshagan, Esq., ANCA-WR Education Committee Chairperson Alice Petrossian, CA State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Thurmond, ANCA-WR Chairperson Nora Hovsepian, Esq., and ANCA-WR Government Relations Coordinator Serob Abrahamian

SACRAMENTO—Representatives of the Armenian National Committee of America Western Region Board and staff last week met with California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and California State Senator Maria Elena Durazo who is serving a seat previously held by longtime advocate of Armenian-American issues, Senate President Pro Tem Emeritus Kevin de Leon.

Alice Petrossian, Chairperson of the ANCA-WR Education Committee also joined the meeting with Superintendent Thurmond. During the meeting, the ANCA-WR delegation stressed the importance of genocide education in public schools and its significance in combating denialists efforts that continue today.

Superintendent Thurmond expressed his deep understanding of the need for genocide education and his support for the Armenian community of California, promising to be a strong advocate for the needs of Armenian Americans in the sphere of education.

Superintendent Thurmond expressed his deep understanding of the need for genocide education and his support for the Armenian community of California.

The meeting with Senator Durazo served as an opportunity to discuss issues the Armenian community in Southern California faces today. The ANCA-WR delegation also presented the policy priorities of the ANCA-WR. Senator Durazo’s 24th district includes Little Armenia among other cities.

ANCA-WR Government Relations Coordinator Serob Abrahamian, AYF representative Aram Manoukian, ANCA-WR Board Member Anahid Oshagan, Esq., CA State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, ANCA-WR Chairperson Nora Hovsepian, Esq., AYF representative Arev Hovsepian, Executive Director of the AYF and the AYF Juniors.

Representatives of the Armenian Youth Federation – Western U.S. were also in Sacramento to meet with various elected officials as well as their staff to educate them about the Divest Turkey Initiative.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential 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.

168: President of Artsakh receives chairman of Pan-Armenian Games’ World Committee Save Share

Kalashian Nyrie
| 12:14 | March 26 2019
Categories
Artsakh
Official

Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan on March 26 received chairman of the Pan-Armenian Games’ World Committee Ishkhan Zakaryan.

Issues related to the organization of the 7th Pan-Armenian summer games planned to be held in Artsakh in 2019 were discussed during the meeting.

President Sahakyan noted that the preparatory works are being conducted in a fast-paced manner highlighting that everything possible would be done for organizing the games at the highest level.

Minister of State Grigory Martirosyan and other officials were present at the meeting.

168: Artsakh soldier shot dead in ‘circumstances yet to be determined’

Emil Lazarian
| 10:47 | March 27 2019
Category
Artsakh

A 21-year-old soldier of the Artsakh Defense Army has died on March 26 after sustaining a fatal gunshot wound in circumstances that are yet to be determined, the Defense Ministry of Artsakh said in a news release.

Ara Arakelyan, a conscripted serviceman, died on-duty around 18:40 Tuesday in a military base stationed in the north-eastern direction.

The Ministry of Defense of Artsakh extended condolences to the family of the soldier.

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 03/26/2019

Jagharian Tania 
                                        Tuesday, March 01, 2019
Minister Insists On Yerevan University Rector’s Resignation
        • Artak Khulian
Armenia - Education Minister Arayik Harutiunian (C) speaks at a cabinet meeting 
in Yerevan, .
Education Minister Arayik Harutiunian reiterated on Tuesday his demands for the 
resignation of the long-serving rector of Armenia’s largest and oldest 
university who is facing growing pressure from the government.
Harutiunian claimed that Yerevan State University (YSU) has experienced 
“regress” under Aram Simonian, the man who has run it for the last 13 years.
“I see very serious problems with [Simonian’s] tenure,” he told reporters. 
“Just look at the current state of YSU and see where YSU is headed.”
The minister spoke the day after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian publicly 
demanded the resignation of unnamed university rectors who he said are linked 
to Armenia’s former leadership. Pashinian said they placed the universities 
under the strong influence of the former President Serzh Sarkisian’s Republican 
Party (HHK) and tried to prevent students from joining street protests that 
brought him to power last May.
Harutiunian did not deny that Pashinian’s demands were primarily addressed to 
Simonian, who remains affiliated with the HHK. He expressed confidence that 
YSU’s Board of Trustees will continue to “discuss” government efforts to oust 
the rector.
The board narrowly failed to sack Simonian when it met on February 28. Only 
half of its members are appointed by the government.
Simonian, meanwhile, again refused to comment on Pashinian’s latest remarks, 
saying that the prime minister did not name names. “I have been rector for 13 
years and various speculations have revolved around me during all this time,” 
he told journalists. “I can’t comment on every speculation.”
Simonian also declined to say whether he thinks Pashinian’s statement amounted 
to a breach of YSU’s autonomy guaranteed by Armenian law.
In a statement issued earlier this month, YSU’s Scientific Council accused 
Harutiunian and Davit Sanasarian, the head of the State Oversight Service 
(SOS), of interfering in the university’s internal affairs.
The SOS, which is subordinate to the prime minister, implicated the YSU 
administration in serious financial irregularities in December. The Armenian 
police likewise alleged last month that Simonian has embezzled YSU funds and 
engaged in other corrupt practices over the past decade.
Simonian, who has still not been formally charged with any crime, denies the 
allegations as politically motivated. He has said that he will not resign 
before serving out his current term in office in 2020.
Armenian Army Chief Touts Arms Acquisitions
Armenia - Lieutenant-General Artak Davtian, the chief of the Armenian army's 
General Staff, December 12, 2018.
Armenia has made major progress in modernizing and strengthening its armed 
forces in recent years, the country’s top army general said on Tuesday.
Lieutenant-General Artak Davtian, the chief of the army’s General Staff, touted 
ongoing efforts to provide the Armenian military with new weapons as he 
addressed the army’s top brass in Yerevan. They have produced “tangible 
results,” he said, according to the Armenian Defense Ministry.
A statement released by the ministry gave no details of the arms acquisitions 
cited by Davtian.
Russia, which has a military base in Armenia, has long been the principal 
source of those supplies, with Yerevan receiving Russian-made weapons at 
discounted prices or even for free.
Armenia and Russia reportedly signed fresh defense contracts late last month. 
They have not yet publicized financial details of the contracts or the types of 
military hardware covered by them.
Earlier in February, the Armenian military confirmed the signing of a 
Russian-Armenian contract calling for the delivery of four Sukhoi Su-30SM 
fighter jets to the Armenian Air Force. Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan said 
afterwards that Yerevan will seek to buy more such aircraft after receiving 
their first batch by “the beginning of next year.”
Moscow lent the Armenian government $200 million for Russian arms acquisitions 
in 2015. The weapons provided to the Armenian military under that deal 
included, among other things, multiple-launch rocket systems, anti-tank 
rockets, and shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles.
Yerevan secured another Russian loan, worth $100 million, for further arms 
purchases in 2017. The two sides have reportedly been discussing the 
possibility of a third Russian credit.
Kocharian Again Claims Immunity From Prosecution
        • Naira Bulghadarian
Armenia -- Former President Robert Kocharian gives an interview to Yerkir Media 
TV, Yerevan, 16Oug,2018
Former President Robert Kocharian continued to challenge his arrest in court on 
Tuesday, insisting through his lawyers that Armenia’s constitution gives him 
immunity from prosecution on charges stemming from the 2008 post-election 
violence in Yerevan.
An article of the constitution stipulates: “During the term of his or her 
powers and thereafter, the President of the Republic may not be prosecuted and 
subjected to liability for actions deriving from his or her status.”
Kocharian’s lawyers cited this clause as a district court in Yerevan began 
considering their demand to free their client and throw out the coup charges 
that were brought against him in July. One of the lawyers, Hovannes Khudoyan, 
said investigators have still not explained why they believe the clause does 
not apply to do the high-profile criminal case.
Khudoyan argued that Armenia’s Court of Appeals upheld the ex-president’s 
immunity from prosecution when it ordered his release from pre-trial custody in 
August.
Acting on prosecutors’ appeal, the higher Court of Cassation overturned that 
ruling in November, however, ordering the Court of Appeals to examine the case 
anew. The latter allowed law-enforcement authorities to press charges against 
Kocharian and again arrest him on December 7.
One of the prosecutors, Vahe Tolmazian, cited the Court of Cassation’s decision 
when he objected to Kocharian’s demands. Tolmazian also presented a large 
number of written documents in support of his objections, leading the court of 
first instance to adjourn the hearings.
Kocharian as well as three retired army generals stand accused of overthrowing 
the constitutional order in the wake of a disputed presidential election held 
in February 2008, less than two months before he completed his second and final 
presidential term. Armenia’s Special Investigative Service says that they 
illegally used the armed forces against opposition supporters who demonstrated 
in Yerevan against alleged electoral fraud.
Eight protesters and two police servicemen were killed in street clashes that 
broke out late on March 1, 2008. Kocharian declared a state of emergency in the 
Armenian capital on that night.
All four men deny the charges. Kocharian, who was also charged with bribery 
last month, has accused the current authorities and Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian in particular of waging a political “vendetta” against him. 
Pashinian, who was one of the main opposition speakers during the 
February-March 2008 protests, has dismissed the ex-president’s claims.
Press Review
“Zhoghovurd” comments on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s upcoming meeting in 
Vienna with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev which it expects to be 
“important.” The paper says that Pashinian’s previous talks with Aliyev helped 
to significantly strengthen the ceasefire regime in the Nagorno-Karabakh 
conflict zone. “So the official name and nature of their meetings do not really 
matter,” it says. “What matters is understandings reached at those meetings and 
compliance with them.”
As “Zhamanak” points out, the agreement to hold a fresh Armenian-Azerbaijani 
summit was announced by the U.S., Russian and French co-chairs of the OSCE 
Minsk Group on March 1 following their visit to Yerevan and Baku. The paper 
notes that Pashinian has since urged the mediators to clarify the essence of 
their Basic Principles of the conflict’s resolution. “Also, Yerevan has made 
clear that peace negotiations will be full-fledged only if Stepanakert also 
participates in them,” it says, adding that Baku categorically rejects this 
approach.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” says that the main line of attack against the current 
Armenian government voiced by representatives of the former ruling regime is 
that it resorts to publicity stunts instead of delivering on Pashinian’s 
repeated pledges to make things much better in the country. The pro-government 
paper dismisses their claims that “the authorities do not know what to do” and 
says that the latter are following a clear roadmap for positive change: 
eradication of corruption and large-scale tax evasion, drastic increase in 
state revenue, creation of an independent judiciary, level playing field for 
all businesses and a favorable investment climate, and downsizing of the state 
bureaucracy. These, it says, are the kind of changes which had for years been 
advocated by political opponents of the former regime.
(Lilit Harutiunian)
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2019 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
www.rferl.org

Members of Congress Substantially Increase Aid Amounts for Armenia & Artsakh

Khoyetsian Rose

INCREASE AID AMOUNTS FOR ARMENIA & ARTSAKH

 

Armenian Assembly Calls for $100 million in Democracy-Building and
Economic Assistance to Armenia

 

WASHINGTON,
D.C. – Today,
Members of Congress sent a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs that significantly increases
prior aid requests to strengthen United States-Armenia relations and outlines
key priorities for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, reported the Armenian Assembly of
America (Assembly). With sweeping cuts across the State Department’s budget,
the Administration proposed $6.75 million for Armenia. A prior congressional
effort requested $70 million, but today’s action increases the request to a
total of $100 million for Armenia and Artsakh. The Assembly truly appreciates
today’s action, and will continue working for further increases to Artsakh and
Armenia.

 

Spearheaded by Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) along with Armenian
Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Armenian Caucus Co-Vice Chair
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the letter is signed by Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA),
Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI),
Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA), Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Rep. Ted
Deutch (D-FL), Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Rep. Jimmy
Gomez (D-CA), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), Rep. Sheila
Jackson Lee (D-TX), Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Rep. Raja
Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Rep. Daniel Lipinksi (D-IL),
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Rep. Carolyn Maloney
(D-NY), Rep. James McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Rep. Donald
Norcross (D-NJ), Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), Rep.
Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD),
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ), Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), and
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV).

 

“What Congress appropriates money for
reflects the nation’s values and priorities. Supporting Armenia as it undergoes
momentous democratic change embodies these values and should be a top priority.
That’s why I’ve joined with my colleagues to call for increased democracy
assistance and other foreign aid for Armenia,” Rep. Speier said to the
Armenian Assembly.

 

The Caucus initiative requests:

•          $60
million for economic governance and rule of law assistance to Armenia through
State Department and USAID accounts;

•          $10
million for military aid for Armenia through Foreign Military Financing (FMF)
and International Military and Education Training (IMET) programs;

•          $20
million for Armenia to be a regional “safe haven” for refugees;

•          $6
million for Artsakh de-mining, rehabilitation programs, and water supply
systems;

•          $4
million for implementation of the Royce-Engel peace proposals, including
placement of OSCE-monitored, advanced gunfire locator systems;

•          That
the State Department and USAID lift any official or unofficial restrictions on
U.S. travel, communication, or contacts with Artsakh government officials; and

•          The
suspension of U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan until it has been verified to
have ceased all attacks against Armenia and Artsakh.

 

The letter states in part: “In the wake
of the Republic of Armenia’s remarkable Velvet Revolution, we are writing to
thank the Subcommittee for its longstanding leadership in support of both
Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh). As you prepare the
Fiscal Year 2020 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations
bill, we ask you to include… provisions supporting a broad-based strategic
upgrade of a U.S.-Armenia partnership based upon shared interests and common
values.”

 

The Members of Congress also called for
stricter provisions of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act to ensure that
Azerbaijan not take hostile actions against Armenia or Artsakh, and pledge to
demonstrate its commitment to pursuing lasting peace through solely non-violent
means.

 

The letter concludes: “Taking these
steps will continue to build on the U.S.-Armenia strategic relationship and
help to grow the seeds of pro-democratic and civil society institutions in Armenia.
We urge the Subcommittee to invest in peace and assist Armenia and Artsakh at
this exciting time of continued development.”

 

“The Armenian Assembly welcomes this
increased request in funding to Armenia. Given the remarkable democratic
transformation last year in Armenia, we know that the community expects even
more,” Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny said. “Moreover, the
OSCE’s Election Observation Mission Report stated that the elections ‘were held
with respect for fundamental freedoms and enjoyed broad public trust that needs
to be preserved through further electoral reforms.'”

 

Additionally, the Organization for Security
and Co-Operation in Europe’s (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and
Human Rights (ODIHR) reported that “election day proceeded calmly,
peacefully, free of pressure on or intimidation of voters” and “the
constitutionally guaranteed freedom of _expression_ was respected.”

 

Earlier this month, Assembly Co-Chair Van
Krikorian, in testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee, requested
$100 million in democracy and economic assistance, at least $10 million in
Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and International Military Education Training
(IMET) to Armenia for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, and $20 million to help resettle
and provide a safe haven for Christians at risk in Syria and throughout the
Middle East, with at least $25 million in assistance to Artsakh. Krikorian
cited Armenia’s remarkable year as more than a reason to significantly increase
humanitarian aid, suggesting to the Subcommittee that the United States should
“reward people who have made progress towards democracy.”

 

Krikorian applauded the Subcommittee for
holding the important hearing, and greatly appreciated “Chairwoman Nita
Lowey’s leadership and steadfast support for Armenia and Artsakh.”

 

Given Turkey and Azerbaijan’s ongoing
blockades, the Assembly’s written testimony also shed light on the importance
of aid to Armenia and Artsakh, the need to fully enforce Section 907 of the
FREEDOM Support Act, and targeted assistance for economic development and
job-creation programs in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of the Republic of
Georgia. The Armenian Assembly’s submitted testimony for FY 2020 is available
online.

 

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of
America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting
public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

 

###

 

NR#
2019-011


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