ANCA calls for increased U.S. aid to Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhk

ANCA calls for increased U.S. aid to Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhk

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian testified before a key Congressional panel in support of increased U.S. assistance to Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, at-risk Middle Eastern Armenian communities, and the Javakhk region of Georgia.

In her opening remarks, Nahapetian thanked House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-TX), Ranking Democrat Nita Lowey (D-NY), and their colleagues for the vital role of the U.S. Congress in supporting Artsakh with direct aid, while also noting that much more needs to be done. Nahapetian stressed: "According to the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, the war caused an estimated over $5 billion in damages. More than twenty years since the ceasefire established in 1994, Karabakh is still suffering from significant infrastructure damage, including the shortage of safe drinking water. In addition, Nagorno Karabakh continues to suffer one of the highest per capita landmine accidents in the world."

Nahapetian's calls come in the face of disturbing reports from Capitol Hill sources of budget pressure and aggressive lobbying efforts by the increasingly undemocratic government of Azerbaijan to cut Nagorno Karabakh assistance. The ANCA has initiated an online campaign -- anca.org/foreignaid - urging Senate and House members to expand Artsakh assistance and support a range of other ANCA foreign aid priorities.

During her remarks before the U.S. House panel responsible for foreign aid, Nahapetian explained that the support of Congress for a series of seven funding and policy-related provisions will represent a strategic investment in strengthening U.S. diplomacy, advancing our national interests, and promoting core American values in the Caucasus region.

These provisions include:

1) At least $5 million in U.S. developmental aid to Nagorno Karabakh.

2) Zero-out U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan until it agrees with OSCE Minsk Group calls to pull back its snipers, ceases its aggression, renounces violence, and commits to a purely peaceful resolution of regional conflicts.

3) At least $40 million in U.S. economic assistance to Armenia.

4) A special focus on providing humanitarian and resettlement aid to Armenian, Assyrian and other at-risk minorities in Syria, as well as targeted aid to help Armenia settle thousands fleeing from Syria.

5) At least 10% of U.S. assistance to Georgia to be used for job creation programs in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of that country.

6) Language strengthening Section 907 restrictions on U.S. aid to Azerbaijan.

7) Ending the Exclusion of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh from the peace process:

Other organizations testifying before the influential House foreign aid panel on Caucasus concerns included the Armenian Assembly of America and U.S. Azerbaijan Network.

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