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HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE URGES AID TO SYRIA REFUGEES
http://asbarez.com/111899/house-subcommittee-urges-aid-to-syria-refugees/
Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013
Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) with the ANCA team following the Senate
Foreign Operations Subcommittee consideration of the FY14 Foreign
Aid bill Tuesday
Draft Report Silent on Specific Aid Levels to Caucasus Countries
WASHINGTON-The U.S. House Subcommittee responsible for drafting the
Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14) foreign aid bill has prioritized humanitarian
assistance for populations affected by the Syria conflict, but, for
the first time in over two decades, the draft report accompanying
the measure failed to cite specific dollar levels for aid to any
of the Caucasus countries, reported the Armenian National Committee
of America.
The ANCA reported earlier this week that the House Foreign Operations
Subcommittee has proposed sharp, overall reductions in foreign aid
spending for FY14, cutting nearly 20 percent from both last year's
figures and the Obama Administration's budget request. This year's
proposed legislation was largely quiet on specific country allocations
across the globe. The Subcommittee's version of this measure will be
considered by the full House Appropriation Committee on Wednesday,
July 24th, when individual Members will have an opportunity to seek
changes and clarifications regarding the bill's assistance priorities
and levels. The date for full House consideration of the measure has
not yet been set.
Plight of Christians and Minorities in Middle East Spotlighted In
the draft report accompanying the Subcommittee's version of the
foreign aid bill, made public earlier Tuesday, appropriators devoted
considerable attention to the humanitarian crisis in the Middle
East, stating that the "events in the Middle East, from the Arab
Spring and the conflict in Syria to the continuing transition in
Iraq, have intensified the challenges facing minority communities,
including Christian populations, within these areas of conflict,
instability, and transition. The Committee urges the Secretary of State
to continue humanitarian and resettlement assistance for members of
these vulnerable communities, both inside and outside their countries
of origin."
The report specifically focuses on the Syrian crisis, noting that
"the Committee understands that a majority of Syrian refugees live
outside of formal camps, which adds considerably to the strain on
the resources of countries hosting them. The Committee recognizes the
urgent need to assist in the following ways: (1) help host countries
expand their national systems to accommodate refugee needs, such as
in the health and education sector, (2) ensure that host countries
can continue to deliver basic services to their own citizens, (3)
strengthen the capacity of local authorities to respond to the refugee
influx, and (4) maintain refugees' freedom of movement, right to
settle in local communities, and access to economic opportunities. The
Committee encourages the Department of State and USAID to, where
appropriate, assist its partners and the affected host governments
in the humanitarian response to the growing number of Syrians who
have sought refuge in nearby countries and requested assistance."
References to humanitarian aid efforts in the Middle East are of
particular importance to the Armenian American community, which
is actively engaged with the Obama Administration and the Congress
regarding the plight of Armenians and other at-risk populations caught
in the cross-fire of the Syrian conflict. While the Armenian presence
in Syria has a very long history, the majority of Syrian Armenians
are descendants of those who found shelter, safety, and a new life in
Syria after the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923. The Armenian community
numbered approximately 100,000 at the start of the present conflict.
Estimates today are that as many as half of the community has left
Syria, some permanently, others with the hope that they will be able
to return. More than 10,000 Syrian Armenians have already fled to
the Republic of Armenia, and another 10,000 or more have found refuge
in Lebanon.
Last week, the ANCA brought together Armenian American civic, church,
and charitable organization leaders from across the United States
to take part in a U.S. government briefing on Syria humanitarian
assistance efforts by the State Department and U.S. Agency for
International Development. Among the Armenian American community's
publicly-stated humanitarian priorities, going into this meeting, were:
1. Ensuring the balanced and needs-based distribution of U.S.
humanitarian aid to all areas of Syria, including those like Aleppo
with large Armenian and other Christian populations;
2. Preventing humanitarian blockades of civilian populations, such
as those creating crises in Aleppo;
3. Providing additional assistance to the Armenian government and NGO's
supporting and helping to settle Syrians who have fled to Armenia, and
4. Assisting the Armenian Church and charitable groups in Lebanon
as they support the very considerable humanitarian needs of refugees
from Syria.
Senate Appropriations Committee Begins its Consideration of Foreign
Aid Bill On the Senate side, the Appropriations Subcommittee on
State Foreign Operations presented and approved its version of
the FY2014 foreign aid bill, with specific country allocations to
be made available to the public over the next several days. Full
Appropriations Committee consideration of the Senate version of the
bill is set for Thursday, July 25. ANCA Leo Sarkisian Program interns
were joined by ANCA Legislative Affairs Director Raffi Karakashian
at the Subcommittee "markup" of the bill earlier today. ANCA offices,
chapters, and activists have been reaching out to constituents in key
Senate and House districts over the past several weeks, urging action
in support of Armenian American foreign aid priorities including:
At least $5 million in U.S. assistance to Nagorno Karabakh
At least $50 million in U.S. assistance to Armenia
At least 10% of U.S. assistance to Georgia to be earmarked for job
creation programs in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of that country.
Funds for humanitarian and resettlement assistance specifically
targeted to Armenian and other Christian populations as well as other
minority communities affected by the recent unrest in the Middle East.
Language strengthening Section 907 restrictions on U.S. aid to
Azerbaijan.
Removal of barriers to contact and communication with representatives
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
Language calling for the participation of Nagorno Karabakh leaders
in the OSCE Minsk Group negotiations
Read the ANCA Congressional testimony offered in support of Armenian
American foreign aid priorities here.
From: A. Papazian
http://asbarez.com/111899/house-subcommittee-urges-aid-to-syria-refugees/
Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013
Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) with the ANCA team following the Senate
Foreign Operations Subcommittee consideration of the FY14 Foreign
Aid bill Tuesday
Draft Report Silent on Specific Aid Levels to Caucasus Countries
WASHINGTON-The U.S. House Subcommittee responsible for drafting the
Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14) foreign aid bill has prioritized humanitarian
assistance for populations affected by the Syria conflict, but, for
the first time in over two decades, the draft report accompanying
the measure failed to cite specific dollar levels for aid to any
of the Caucasus countries, reported the Armenian National Committee
of America.
The ANCA reported earlier this week that the House Foreign Operations
Subcommittee has proposed sharp, overall reductions in foreign aid
spending for FY14, cutting nearly 20 percent from both last year's
figures and the Obama Administration's budget request. This year's
proposed legislation was largely quiet on specific country allocations
across the globe. The Subcommittee's version of this measure will be
considered by the full House Appropriation Committee on Wednesday,
July 24th, when individual Members will have an opportunity to seek
changes and clarifications regarding the bill's assistance priorities
and levels. The date for full House consideration of the measure has
not yet been set.
Plight of Christians and Minorities in Middle East Spotlighted In
the draft report accompanying the Subcommittee's version of the
foreign aid bill, made public earlier Tuesday, appropriators devoted
considerable attention to the humanitarian crisis in the Middle
East, stating that the "events in the Middle East, from the Arab
Spring and the conflict in Syria to the continuing transition in
Iraq, have intensified the challenges facing minority communities,
including Christian populations, within these areas of conflict,
instability, and transition. The Committee urges the Secretary of State
to continue humanitarian and resettlement assistance for members of
these vulnerable communities, both inside and outside their countries
of origin."
The report specifically focuses on the Syrian crisis, noting that
"the Committee understands that a majority of Syrian refugees live
outside of formal camps, which adds considerably to the strain on
the resources of countries hosting them. The Committee recognizes the
urgent need to assist in the following ways: (1) help host countries
expand their national systems to accommodate refugee needs, such as
in the health and education sector, (2) ensure that host countries
can continue to deliver basic services to their own citizens, (3)
strengthen the capacity of local authorities to respond to the refugee
influx, and (4) maintain refugees' freedom of movement, right to
settle in local communities, and access to economic opportunities. The
Committee encourages the Department of State and USAID to, where
appropriate, assist its partners and the affected host governments
in the humanitarian response to the growing number of Syrians who
have sought refuge in nearby countries and requested assistance."
References to humanitarian aid efforts in the Middle East are of
particular importance to the Armenian American community, which
is actively engaged with the Obama Administration and the Congress
regarding the plight of Armenians and other at-risk populations caught
in the cross-fire of the Syrian conflict. While the Armenian presence
in Syria has a very long history, the majority of Syrian Armenians
are descendants of those who found shelter, safety, and a new life in
Syria after the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923. The Armenian community
numbered approximately 100,000 at the start of the present conflict.
Estimates today are that as many as half of the community has left
Syria, some permanently, others with the hope that they will be able
to return. More than 10,000 Syrian Armenians have already fled to
the Republic of Armenia, and another 10,000 or more have found refuge
in Lebanon.
Last week, the ANCA brought together Armenian American civic, church,
and charitable organization leaders from across the United States
to take part in a U.S. government briefing on Syria humanitarian
assistance efforts by the State Department and U.S. Agency for
International Development. Among the Armenian American community's
publicly-stated humanitarian priorities, going into this meeting, were:
1. Ensuring the balanced and needs-based distribution of U.S.
humanitarian aid to all areas of Syria, including those like Aleppo
with large Armenian and other Christian populations;
2. Preventing humanitarian blockades of civilian populations, such
as those creating crises in Aleppo;
3. Providing additional assistance to the Armenian government and NGO's
supporting and helping to settle Syrians who have fled to Armenia, and
4. Assisting the Armenian Church and charitable groups in Lebanon
as they support the very considerable humanitarian needs of refugees
from Syria.
Senate Appropriations Committee Begins its Consideration of Foreign
Aid Bill On the Senate side, the Appropriations Subcommittee on
State Foreign Operations presented and approved its version of
the FY2014 foreign aid bill, with specific country allocations to
be made available to the public over the next several days. Full
Appropriations Committee consideration of the Senate version of the
bill is set for Thursday, July 25. ANCA Leo Sarkisian Program interns
were joined by ANCA Legislative Affairs Director Raffi Karakashian
at the Subcommittee "markup" of the bill earlier today. ANCA offices,
chapters, and activists have been reaching out to constituents in key
Senate and House districts over the past several weeks, urging action
in support of Armenian American foreign aid priorities including:
At least $5 million in U.S. assistance to Nagorno Karabakh
At least $50 million in U.S. assistance to Armenia
At least 10% of U.S. assistance to Georgia to be earmarked for job
creation programs in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of that country.
Funds for humanitarian and resettlement assistance specifically
targeted to Armenian and other Christian populations as well as other
minority communities affected by the recent unrest in the Middle East.
Language strengthening Section 907 restrictions on U.S. aid to
Azerbaijan.
Removal of barriers to contact and communication with representatives
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
Language calling for the participation of Nagorno Karabakh leaders
in the OSCE Minsk Group negotiations
Read the ANCA Congressional testimony offered in support of Armenian
American foreign aid priorities here.
From: A. Papazian