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Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
May 15, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
REP. SCHIFF INTRODUCES BILL CALLING FOR THE END OF TURKEY'S
BLOCKADE OF ARMENIA
-- Legislation Calls on Secretary of State to Submit Report on U.S.
Efforts to Lift Turkey's Blockade
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced legislation
today calling on the President and Secretary of State to urge
Turkey to lift its 15 year blockade of Armenia and outline concrete
steps taken by the Administration in that effort, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.)
Titled the "End the Turkish Blockade of Armenia Act," the
legislation notes that "Turkey's ongoing blockade of Armenia does
not promote regional security and prosperity, thereby undermining
the short-term and long-term policy objectives of the United
States." It goes on to cite that the "Department of State has
estimated that the blockade is inflating Armenia's transportation
costs by between 30 and 35 percent, thereby stifling its trade and
economy." The resolution, in addition to calling for the immediate
lifting of Turkey's blockade, would mandate that the Secretary of
State "submit to Congress a report that outlines the steps taken
and plans made by the United States to end Turkey's blockade of
Armenia," within thirty days of the bill's passage.
"We need to step up pressure on Turkey to lift the draconian
blockade of Armenia, permitting Armenian businesses to fully
participate in the global economy and assisting Armenia's
integration into Europe," explained Rep. Schiff.
"Turkey's illegal blockade of Armenia represents a violation of
international law, a clear hindrance to U.S. regional interests,
and an immoral action intended to economically isolate and
impoverish the Armenian people," stated ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian. "We welcome Rep. Schiff's leadership in demanding
Congressional oversight of any concrete steps the Administration
has taken to pressure Turkey to lift its blockade."
The Schiff resolution is similar to legislation introduced in the
109th Congress (H.R.3103), which secured 14 cosponsors. In the
110th Congress, Rep. Schiff is lead author, along with Reps. George
Radanovich (R-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Congressional Armenian
Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) of
the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106, which was adopted by
the House Foreign Affairs Committee last October and currently has
over 200 cosponsors.
The complete text of the resolution is provided below.
#####
To direct the Secretary of State to submit a report outlining the
steps taken and plans made by the United States to end Turkey's
blockade of Armenia, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. SCHIFF introduced the following bill.
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of State to submit a report outlining the
steps taken and plans made by the United States to end Turkey's
blockade of Armenia, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ''End the Turkish Blockade of Armenia
Act''
SEC. 2. REPORT RELATING TO THE TURKISH-ARMENIAN BORDER.
(a) FINDINGS. - Congress finds the following:
(1) United States policy toward Turkey and the south Caucasus has
prioritized security, conflict resolution, ensuring open borders
and commercial corridors, and regional cooperation.
(2) Turkey's ongoing blockade of Armenia does not promote regional
security and prosperity, thereby undermining the short-term and
long-term policy objectives of the United States.
(3) The Department of State has estimated that the blockade is
inflating Armenia's transportation costs by between 30 and 35
percent, thereby stifling its trade and economy.
(4) Turkey's blockade of Armenia has prevented United States and
international humanitarian assistance from crossing its borders, a
violation of international law, international human rights and
humanitarian standards, and Turkey's commitments to the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
(5) Turkey is the only Council of Europe (CE) country and NATO
member to engage in a blockade against a fellow CE country and has
been repeatedly urged by the European Union (EU) to open the last
closed border of Europe.
(6) United States, Turkish, NATO-Partnership for Peace, and EU
security and economic interests would be advanced Turkey
immediately and unconditionally lifting its ongoing 15-year
blockade of Armenia.
(7) The removal of all blockades and border closures in and
adjacent to the countries of the south Caucasus will provide
positive incentives for United States private investment, increased
trade with the West, and other forms of economic and political
interactions with the global community.
(8) By lifting its blockade of Armenia, Turkey will be playing a
constructive role in continuing the development of infrastructure
necessary for regional communications, transportation, energy, and
trade on an East-West axis.
(9) If there is to be a resolution of conflicts in the region and a
reduction of tensions along borders, it is essential that the
blockade of Armenia be lifted.
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS - It is the sense of Congress that the
President and Secretary of State should call upon Turkey to comply
with the long-standing position of the United States that in order
to restore economic, political, and cultural links with Armenia,
Turkey should immediately lift its ongoing blockade with Armenia.
(c) REPORT - Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to Congress a
report that outlines the steps taken and plans made by the United
States to end Turkey's blockade of Armenia.
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
May 15, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
REP. SCHIFF INTRODUCES BILL CALLING FOR THE END OF TURKEY'S
BLOCKADE OF ARMENIA
-- Legislation Calls on Secretary of State to Submit Report on U.S.
Efforts to Lift Turkey's Blockade
WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced legislation
today calling on the President and Secretary of State to urge
Turkey to lift its 15 year blockade of Armenia and outline concrete
steps taken by the Administration in that effort, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.)
Titled the "End the Turkish Blockade of Armenia Act," the
legislation notes that "Turkey's ongoing blockade of Armenia does
not promote regional security and prosperity, thereby undermining
the short-term and long-term policy objectives of the United
States." It goes on to cite that the "Department of State has
estimated that the blockade is inflating Armenia's transportation
costs by between 30 and 35 percent, thereby stifling its trade and
economy." The resolution, in addition to calling for the immediate
lifting of Turkey's blockade, would mandate that the Secretary of
State "submit to Congress a report that outlines the steps taken
and plans made by the United States to end Turkey's blockade of
Armenia," within thirty days of the bill's passage.
"We need to step up pressure on Turkey to lift the draconian
blockade of Armenia, permitting Armenian businesses to fully
participate in the global economy and assisting Armenia's
integration into Europe," explained Rep. Schiff.
"Turkey's illegal blockade of Armenia represents a violation of
international law, a clear hindrance to U.S. regional interests,
and an immoral action intended to economically isolate and
impoverish the Armenian people," stated ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian. "We welcome Rep. Schiff's leadership in demanding
Congressional oversight of any concrete steps the Administration
has taken to pressure Turkey to lift its blockade."
The Schiff resolution is similar to legislation introduced in the
109th Congress (H.R.3103), which secured 14 cosponsors. In the
110th Congress, Rep. Schiff is lead author, along with Reps. George
Radanovich (R-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Congressional Armenian
Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) of
the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106, which was adopted by
the House Foreign Affairs Committee last October and currently has
over 200 cosponsors.
The complete text of the resolution is provided below.
#####
To direct the Secretary of State to submit a report outlining the
steps taken and plans made by the United States to end Turkey's
blockade of Armenia, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. SCHIFF introduced the following bill.
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of State to submit a report outlining the
steps taken and plans made by the United States to end Turkey's
blockade of Armenia, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ''End the Turkish Blockade of Armenia
Act''
SEC. 2. REPORT RELATING TO THE TURKISH-ARMENIAN BORDER.
(a) FINDINGS. - Congress finds the following:
(1) United States policy toward Turkey and the south Caucasus has
prioritized security, conflict resolution, ensuring open borders
and commercial corridors, and regional cooperation.
(2) Turkey's ongoing blockade of Armenia does not promote regional
security and prosperity, thereby undermining the short-term and
long-term policy objectives of the United States.
(3) The Department of State has estimated that the blockade is
inflating Armenia's transportation costs by between 30 and 35
percent, thereby stifling its trade and economy.
(4) Turkey's blockade of Armenia has prevented United States and
international humanitarian assistance from crossing its borders, a
violation of international law, international human rights and
humanitarian standards, and Turkey's commitments to the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
(5) Turkey is the only Council of Europe (CE) country and NATO
member to engage in a blockade against a fellow CE country and has
been repeatedly urged by the European Union (EU) to open the last
closed border of Europe.
(6) United States, Turkish, NATO-Partnership for Peace, and EU
security and economic interests would be advanced Turkey
immediately and unconditionally lifting its ongoing 15-year
blockade of Armenia.
(7) The removal of all blockades and border closures in and
adjacent to the countries of the south Caucasus will provide
positive incentives for United States private investment, increased
trade with the West, and other forms of economic and political
interactions with the global community.
(8) By lifting its blockade of Armenia, Turkey will be playing a
constructive role in continuing the development of infrastructure
necessary for regional communications, transportation, energy, and
trade on an East-West axis.
(9) If there is to be a resolution of conflicts in the region and a
reduction of tensions along borders, it is essential that the
blockade of Armenia be lifted.
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS - It is the sense of Congress that the
President and Secretary of State should call upon Turkey to comply
with the long-standing position of the United States that in order
to restore economic, political, and cultural links with Armenia,
Turkey should immediately lift its ongoing blockade with Armenia.
(c) REPORT - Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to Congress a
report that outlines the steps taken and plans made by the United
States to end Turkey's blockade of Armenia.