Congress OKs stronger security measures in support of ArtsakhJuly 12, 2019 - 10:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) Ministry of Foreign Affairs joined the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) in applauding U.S. Representatives Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Judy Chu (D-CA) for the House adoption of amendments supporting stronger cease-fire and security measures for Artsakh in H.R. 2500, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020. “The Armenian Assembly congratulates Reps. Chu and Sherman for their successful initiatives to ensure the security of the citizens of Artsakh, and to ensure accountability with respect to Azerbaijan’s ongoing cease-fire violations,” stated Assembly Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan. Rep. Sherman’s amendment – supported by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), and Vice Chair Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) - was approved today on the House Floor by a vote of 234 to 195. “I thank my House colleagues for advancing and voting in favor of my amendment to the NDAA to require that the President must certify to Congress that any defense articles provided to Azerbaijan pose no threat to civilian aviation. However you feel about the political status of Artsakh, threats to shoot down civilian aircraft are unacceptable. I thank my colleagues again for ensuring that we do not abet the Azeris in this menacing behavior,” Rep. Sherman told the Armenian Assembly of America. “After 23 years of studying these issues on the Foreign Affairs Committee, I’m not convinced that we should transfer any weapons under any circumstances to the government of Azerbaijan until it comes to the table and resolves the Artsakh dispute,” Rep. Sherman remarked on the House Floor. "We are grateful to Congressman Sherman for raising this important issue in Congress. The people of Artsakh should enjoy all rights and liberties laid out in universal human rights documents. Freedom of movement is among the inalienable human rights, and we hope that this amendment will bring further attention and action to this crucial matter," stated Artsakh Permanent Representative to the United States, Robert Avetisyan. Rep. Chu’s measure – also supported by Reps. Pallone and Schiff – was adopted last night by voice vote as part of an en bloc package of amendments. “The campaign of terror against the people of Artsakh must end. That’s why I introduced my amendment to support the cease-fire strengthening proposals originally put forward by House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel and his predecessor, Ed Royce. The Royce-Engel proposals include gunfire locators, new observers, and a ban on snipers, heavy arms, and new weaponry along the line-of-contact. Adopting them is necessary for ensuring those who violate the peace are caught and stopped, and that is what my amendment encourages. I am pleased it was adopted in the NDAA and hope to see these proposals implemented,” Rep. Chu said to the Armenian Assembly of America “We welcome the adoption of the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of the US House of Representatives submitted by Congresswoman Judy Chu,” the Artsakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued in a statement. “We hope that this amendment introduced by the Congresswoman Judy Chu will create a new momentum for the implementation of the Royce-Engel proposals.” Click here to read the full statement. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |