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REP. SCHIFF: U.S. SHOULD SUPPORT NAGORNO-KARABAKH PEOPLE'S RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION
PanARMENIAN.Net
November 4, 2011 - 17:12 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) sent a letter to the
Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Appropriations
Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs,
Sens. Patrick Leahy and Lindsey Graham, and Reps. Kay Granger and
Nita Lowey, urging them to direct USAID and the Department of State
to focus not less than $10 million for humanitarian and development
programs in the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.
As Rep. Schiff said, "it is more important than ever that the United
States support the right of self-determination of the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh." "Directing these resources to Nagorno-Karabakh will
not only help the people of the Karabakh cope with humanitarian crises
resulting from the twin blockade by Turkey and Azerbaijan, but it
will also help to stabilize the region by demonstrating our continued
commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict," he said.
The full text of the letter is as follows:
"Dear Chairman Leahy, Chairman Granger and Ranking Members Graham
and Lowey:
As you begin work on a final version of the FY 2012 State, Foreign
Operations, and Related Programs bill, I urge you to include stronger
report language directing USAID and the Department of State to focus
more resources on the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.
U.S. policy toward the South Caucasus states has included promoting
the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Given the continued
drumbeat of bellicose rhetoric emanating from Azerbaijan, it is more
important than ever that the United States maintain a principled stand
for peace in this region and support Nagorno-Karabakh and I request
that the conference report include language directing USAID to spend
not less than $10 million in Fiscal Year 2012 for humanitarian and
development programs in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Unfortunately, the State Department has failed to follow Congressional
intent to deliver funds to Nagorno-Karabakh. From 2004 to 2010, the
State Department expended less than $13 million, while Congressional
intent expressed through conference reports and public law called for
$46 million for humanitarian and, as of 2010, development assistance.
It is therefore vital that the Congress include language requiring
that not less than $10 million be expended in Fiscal Year 2012.
I appreciate the inclusion of language regarding Nagorno-Karabakh in
the draft House Report that has been circulating since late July, but I
believe that given past practice, the State Department will interpret
anything less than an explicit directive as continued acquiescence by
the Congress of the under-funding of programs in this overwhelmingly
Armenian region. I share the belief that American aid must be matched
by the capacity of the recipient authority to absorb the assistance,
but that caveat should not be used as an excuse to shortchange friends
and allies that are considered of vital importance to significant
numbers of Americans as well as many Members of Congress in both
chambers and from both parties.
These are challenging times for America and the world. I am confident,
however, that directing additional resources to Nagorno-Karabakh
will not only help the people of the Karabakh people to advance their
own economy in the face of a twin blockade by Turkey and Azerbaijan,
but it will also help to stabilize the region by demonstrating our
continued commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict."
PanARMENIAN.Net
November 4, 2011 - 17:12 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) sent a letter to the
Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Appropriations
Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs,
Sens. Patrick Leahy and Lindsey Graham, and Reps. Kay Granger and
Nita Lowey, urging them to direct USAID and the Department of State
to focus not less than $10 million for humanitarian and development
programs in the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.
As Rep. Schiff said, "it is more important than ever that the United
States support the right of self-determination of the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh." "Directing these resources to Nagorno-Karabakh will
not only help the people of the Karabakh cope with humanitarian crises
resulting from the twin blockade by Turkey and Azerbaijan, but it
will also help to stabilize the region by demonstrating our continued
commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict," he said.
The full text of the letter is as follows:
"Dear Chairman Leahy, Chairman Granger and Ranking Members Graham
and Lowey:
As you begin work on a final version of the FY 2012 State, Foreign
Operations, and Related Programs bill, I urge you to include stronger
report language directing USAID and the Department of State to focus
more resources on the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.
U.S. policy toward the South Caucasus states has included promoting
the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Given the continued
drumbeat of bellicose rhetoric emanating from Azerbaijan, it is more
important than ever that the United States maintain a principled stand
for peace in this region and support Nagorno-Karabakh and I request
that the conference report include language directing USAID to spend
not less than $10 million in Fiscal Year 2012 for humanitarian and
development programs in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Unfortunately, the State Department has failed to follow Congressional
intent to deliver funds to Nagorno-Karabakh. From 2004 to 2010, the
State Department expended less than $13 million, while Congressional
intent expressed through conference reports and public law called for
$46 million for humanitarian and, as of 2010, development assistance.
It is therefore vital that the Congress include language requiring
that not less than $10 million be expended in Fiscal Year 2012.
I appreciate the inclusion of language regarding Nagorno-Karabakh in
the draft House Report that has been circulating since late July, but I
believe that given past practice, the State Department will interpret
anything less than an explicit directive as continued acquiescence by
the Congress of the under-funding of programs in this overwhelmingly
Armenian region. I share the belief that American aid must be matched
by the capacity of the recipient authority to absorb the assistance,
but that caveat should not be used as an excuse to shortchange friends
and allies that are considered of vital importance to significant
numbers of Americans as well as many Members of Congress in both
chambers and from both parties.
These are challenging times for America and the world. I am confident,
however, that directing additional resources to Nagorno-Karabakh
will not only help the people of the Karabakh people to advance their
own economy in the face of a twin blockade by Turkey and Azerbaijan,
but it will also help to stabilize the region by demonstrating our
continued commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict."