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ANCA: Schiff Legislation Calls on Turkey to Lift Blockade of Armenia

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  • ANCA: Schiff Legislation Calls on Turkey to Lift Blockade of Armenia

    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.
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