Bipartisan Letter to House Appropriations Subcommittee Calls for Armenia Security Aid, Artsakh Refugee Relief, Azerbaijan Accountability, and TRIPP Oversight

WASHINGTON– The Armenian National Committee of America welcomed a Congressional Armenian Caucus letter — backed by over 45 Members of the House of Representatives — urging the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs to include critical pro-Armenia/Artsakh provisions in the Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriations Bill.

The letter, addressed to Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Ranking Member Lois Frankel (D-FL), calls for expanded U.S.-Armenia security cooperation, $100 million in humanitarian assistance for Armenians forcibly displaced from Artsakh, a prohibition on U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan, Global Magnitsky Act sanctions accountability measures, and meaningful Congressional oversight of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) framework.

“Over forty-five members of Congress have put their names behind a clear, principled message: the United States must stand with Armenia, hold Azerbaijan accountable, and deliver justice for the Armenians of Artsakh,” stated Aram Hamparian, ANCA Executive Director. “This letter — secured through the hard work of Armenian Americans mobilizing across the country — gives the Appropriations Subcommittee a bipartisan mandate to act. The FY27 appropriations process is one of the most powerful tools Congress has, and this Caucus letter puts that power to work for our Armenian American priorities.”

Congressional Armenian Caucus Founding Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) led the letter and was joined by Representatives Gabe Amo (D-RI), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-CA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Don Beyer (D-VA), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Danny Davis (D-IL), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Laura Friedman (D-CA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), John Larson (D-CT), George Latimer (D-NY), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), James McGovern (D-MA), Rob Menendez (D-NJ), Dave Min (D-CA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Luz Rivas (D-CA), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Darren Soto (D-FL), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Lori Trahan (D-MA), and Nydia Velazquez (D-NY).

Armenian Security Assistance
The letter calls for $20 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and $10 million in International Military Education and Training (IMET), warning that additional assistance “would play a critical role in strengthening Armenia’s defensive capabilities and establishing a deterrent against Azerbaijan’s unabated expansionism and threats of aggression and use of force.” The Caucus further cautioned that “the Aliyev regime will seek to take advantage of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and turmoil across the Middle East to press its military advantage against Armenia during this critical stage in negotiations.”

Humanitarian Relief for Displaced Armenians of Artsakh
The letter requests $100 million in AEECA Humanitarian Account funding, documenting that Azerbaijan’s 2023 invasion resulted in “the genocidal ethnic cleansing of the region’s entire indigenous Armenian population” following “a 10-month siege on the region, which saw Azerbaijan deliberately deprive over 120,000 ethnic Armenians access to food, fuel, medicine and other essential goods.” The Caucus warned that existing assistance “has been wholly insufficient to meet these families’ outstanding needs” and that Azerbaijan’s “continued refusal to guarantee the safe and secure return of Armenians to their homes, as required under international law, remains an ongoing obstacle to lasting peace in the region.”

Accountability for Azerbaijan and Release of Armenian Hostages
The letter calls for a full prohibition on U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan, documenting that “despite ongoing peace talks, Azerbaijan continues to engage in conduct that contradicts its stated commitment to peace” — including sentencing 16 Armenian prisoners of war to prison terms ranging from 15 years to life “following lengthy sham trials, during which Armenian detainees were subject to abuse and torture, and deprived of their fundamental legal rights.” The Caucus stated plainly: “President Aliyev has repeatedly demonstrated that he is not an honest broker for peace in the region, and the U.S. must not reward his regime with security assistance of any kind.” The letter also calls for a Global Magnitsky Act sanctions review targeting Azerbaijani officials responsible for human rights abuses.

TRIPP Oversight
On the TRIPP corridor framework, the letter acknowledges the agreement “raises concerns regarding Armenia’s sovereignty and ownership rights over its sovereign territory” and flags “unanswered questions regarding the security of the route, especially assurances that the route will not be used to facilitate military transportation or arms sales between Turkey and Azerbaijan, which would undermine Armenia’s security interests.” The Caucus also expressed concern over “Azerbaijan’s solicitation of foreign investment to engage in the demolition, reconstruction and redevelopment of formerly Armenian-populated areas,” calling for State and Commerce Department reporting on whether U.S.-based entities operating in Azerbaijan have “materially aided Azerbaijan’s ongoing human rights violations.”

The ANCA mobilized Armenian Americans nationwide through its action alert to contact their Representatives ahead of the co-signature deadline. Armenian Americans can continue to engage their Representatives and track legislative developments.

https://asbarez.com/over-45-members-of-congress-co-sign-anca-backed-letter-advancing-pro-armenian-foreign-aid-priorities/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQgjsNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe9gOBbE79WdRq4I7Ir_kFZ2AgqcVV4qUysQsrrooDsrVTFFn7SG9oaq_827M_aem_xj9fZxHMkmoEwREVfVfYog

Vice-President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance at the Dzidzernagapert Armenian Genocide Monument on Feb. 10

BY HAYK MARTIROSYAN

The rumors about the forced “resignation” of Dr. Edita Gzoyan, the director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, have been confirmed. It’s now possible to discuss it openly. Claiming there is a significant amount of injustice and humiliation involved would be an understatement. Under such circumstances, even mentioning scientific impartiality and academic freedom seems pointless.

I worked at AGMI intermittently from 2006 to 2014. And during the last eight years, have been a researcher at the Lepsius House in Potsdam (providing archival materials and literature, organizing joint initiatives, etc.), while continuing to cooperate with the Museum-Institute regularly. I am currently also a member of the editorial board of the AGMI journal.

Dr. Gzoyan was elected director of AGMI two years ago. It is clear these past two years have been the most productive in AGMI’s history across numerous fields: there has been an unprecedented number of scholarly articles published in international and prestigious journals; after persistent efforts, the International Journal of Armenian Genocide Studies was included last year in the highly sought-after Scopus list of academic journals (the only one from Armenia); international conferences and events were organized with global partners; an audio-guide system was introduced and made available in multiple languages; the contributions of all staff members—not just a select few—were recognized and encouraged; connections with Diasporan Armenian scholars were strengthened, and their contributions to AGMI’s efforts increased. It is impossible to list all the accomplishments. Why remove Gzoyan? Where did she fail?

Consider the scholar’s perspective: review the works and articles published by Gzoyan from the prior two years, note those in impactful international journals. How many people in our field can you name in Armenia who have more publications? Consider the active collaboration with Diasporan scholars. Take as clear proof of disagreement with this decision the fact that two Diasporan scholars on the Board of Trustees—Raymond Kevorkian and Stephan Astourian—have both left the board (as well as Vasken Yacoubian, President of the AGBU Armenia office), along with two other scholars from Armenia (Hranush Kharatyan and Harutyun Marutyan).

Look at the management aspect: the best evidence is the joint letter-appeal from all 74 AGMI employees (although it was clear that it would not be accepted) asking to prevent the change of director. As someone who spent many years at AGMI and knows its inner workings well, I assure you that such unity and positive atmosphere have never existed there before—I, of all people, know that.

Apparently, the claims are correct that her dismissal relates to J.D. Vance’s visit and the director’s conversation about Artsakh, which is unacceptable by the authorities. Moreover, judging from the videos, she even had the “audacity” to accompany Vance to the khachkars commemorating the massacres of Armenians in Azerbaijan and tell him about them, presenting him with an informative book. (Here I would gladly recount an attempt to “convince” an influential professor in Leipzig on precisely this topic in a much more complicated situation, and the respected professor’s “beautiful” and “accessible” reply—but I cannot make it public.)

Personally, I believe Vance’s visit was simply the final straw. Because, to her credit, Gzoyan has always spoken out about the ethnic cleansing in Artsakh. A large amount of work has been done for that cause. She has also raised other topics unacceptable for the “constructive” authorities within the context of the Armenian Genocide (for example, topics about Nemesis, Tehlirian Trial, etc.). The reason for Gzoyan dismissal is certainly not the construction project happening at the memorial complex, as is being presented. The construction is primarily under the ministry’s control. If that were the reason, the director would have been dismissed last year when the controversy surrounding the construction reached its peak. If construction had truly been the issue, they could have appointed an “extraordinary and plenipotentiary foreman” until the work was completed. Or a rhetorical question arises: after the construction is finished, will the future director with construction expertise leave the position?

Gzoyan can leave with her head held high. Unfortunately, the enormous sense of hurt, disappointment, and injustice will hardly diminish because of that.

Alas—long live “academic freedom,” long live “effective” governance, long live the “appreciation” of Diasporan Armenian scholars, long live the “recognition” of the efforts to internationalize AGMI’s work and Armenian scholarship, long live your talent for “taking into account” the opinion of AGMI employees, and finally, long live “justice.”

Now appoint a “professional” whose only qualification will be “flexibility” and adaptability. Otherwise, the “Vance syndrome” tends to recur.

Dr. Hayk Martirosyan served, with some interruptions, as a research fellow at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute from 2006 to 2014. Since 2017, he has been a research associate at the Lepsiushaus in Potsdam. Martirosyan studied Oriental and Turkic studies at Yerevan State University and earned his doctorate from the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia. His research focuses on the history of missionary activity in the Ottoman Empire, missionary biographies, and the history of aid organizations and rescue efforts for Armenians. He is the author of two monographs and more than two dozen scholarly articles.

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Dr. Razmig Panossian is greeted by attendees

The Kessab Educational Association of Los Angeles hosted a special gathering on March 6 to welcome one of its beloved sons, Dr. Razmig Panossian, who met with fellow Kessabtsis during his visit to Los Angeles. Community members gathered for an evening of conversation focused on Armenian language, identity and the future of Diaspora communities.

Dr. Panossian, who works with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Portugal, spoke about the foundation’s work supporting Armenian cultural and educational initiatives across the Diaspora. He emphasized that language remains one of the most important pillars of Armenian identity and encouraged families to keep Armenian present in everyday life by speaking it regularly at home.

He noted that while Eastern and Western Armenian serve as the principal forms used throughout, regional dialects such as Kessaberen carry deep historical and cultural value. Preserving these dialects, he explained, helps maintain the unique character and traditions of communities like Kessab. He also encouraged parents not to worry about correcting children between dialects, but rather to prioritize speaking Armenian and creating an environment where the language continues naturally.

Dr. Panossian also highlighted educational initiatives that support Armenian language learning, including the Zarmanazan Western Armenian summer program, an immersive program that brings together youth, educators and participants from Armenian communities around the world. Through creative activities, collaborative learning and teacher training, the program creates a dynamic environment where Western Armenian is actively used while strengthening connections among participants and helping develop the next generation of Armenian language educators.

He concluded by noting that strong Armenian communities are built through education, cultural engagement and the continued effort to preserve language and heritage across generations.

The evening provided an opportunity for Kessabtsis to reconnect with their roots and reaffirm their shared commitment to sustaining Armenian culture within the Diaspora.

The Kessab Educational Association of Los Angeles promotes education, cultural preservation and community engagement among Kessabtsis and the broader Armenian Diaspora through programs and initiatives that strengthen Armenian identity and heritage.

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Armenia’s border with Iran in the Syunik Province

YEREVAN (Azatutyun.am)—The continuing war between the United States and Israel and Iran will likely delay the planned opening of a U.S.-administered transit corridor for Azerbaijan through Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday.

“It is obvious that the TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) is not a priority for the US administration today, at least, because we see what is happening and what they are busy with,” he told reporters. “Unfortunately, there is a high probability that it will affect [relevant] processes in terms of timelines because the [U.S.] government is focused on that issue.”

The TRIPP is due to connect Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan through Armenia’s strategic Syunik region bordering Iran. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan released the first major details of the TRIPP after meeting in Washington on January 13.

A joint U.S.-Armenian “implementation framework” confirmed that a special company controlled by the U.S. government will build a railway, a road, energy supply lines and other infrastructure along Armenia’s border with Iran and manage them for at least 49 years. Pashinyan and Mirzoyan said late last year that work on that infrastructure will start this summer.

In the months leading up to the ongoing war, Iranian officials, notably a top aide to the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, spoke out against the transit arrangement. They feared that it could undermine Armenian control of the border and lead to U.S. security presence there. Yerevan sought to allay their concerns. Some observers believe that Tehran will now be even more opposed to the TRIPP even if the war is stopped in the coming days or weeks.

Iran is a major trading partner of Armenia and one of the landlocked country’s two conduits to the outside world. Although the Armenian-Iranian border has remained largely open since the start of the U.S.-Israeli air strikes on the Islamic Republic on February 28, the conflict has reportedly led to a serious fall in cargo traffic between the two states.

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