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ANCA Leads Pro-Karabagh Campaign on Capitol Hill
By Contributor on February 16, 2015 in Headline,
http://armenianweekly.com/2015/02/16/karabagh-campaign/
Baku-Armenians Share Eyewitness Accounts of Azerbaijani Aggression;
Support Artsakh's Security and Press for Increased US Aid
WASHINGTON'A diverse delegation of Armenian American activists, many
with roots in Baku, took part in a capacity-crowd Capitol Hill
briefing and two-day series of congressional meetings, sharing with
members of Congress, for the first time, their harrowing family
accounts of Azerbajiani aggression against the Armenian populations of
Baku, Sumgait, and Kirovabad. The delegation also advocated for robust
U.S. political support and direct assistance to ensure a brighter
future for the free citizens of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
Congressional Armenian Caucus CoChair Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) with
Vitaliy Dadalyan, Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte, Dr. Alina Dorian,
Julia Papiyan, and Marat Khoudabakhshiev at the ANCA Capitol Hill
briefing marking the 25th anniversary of the Baku pogroms and urging
robust U.S. aid to the Nagorno Karabagh Republic.
The ANCA sponsored Capitol Hill program titled, `Nagorno-Karabagh, a
Generation after Anti-Armenian Pogroms: The Challenge of Promoting
Peace and Developing Democracy,' featured powerful remarks by Anna
Astvatsaturian Turcotte, a lawyer, lecturer, and author of Nowhere, a
Story of Exile, and Dr. Alina Dorian, an internationally respected
public health expert and advocate who has worked for decades to
strengthen and expand public health programs in Karabagh.
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone Jr. opened the
program by offering warm words of welcome, and ardent support for an
independent Artsakh. Both the Armenian Embassy and the Nagorno
Karabagh Republic Office in Washington were well represented at the
briefing by Deputy Chief of Mission Hrachia Tashchian and
Nagorno-Karabagh Representative Robert Avetisyan.
Joining Dorian and Turcotte as devoted spokespeople for
Nagorno-Karabagh's independence were Vitaliy Dadalyan, Marat
Khoudabakhshiev, and Julia Papiyan, who traveled from Utah, California
and Michigan, respectively, to share their family stories of
persecution in Baku during the late 1980's. In some 40 meetings with
key Senate and House leaders, members of Congress were moved by their
accounts of courage and survival, and inspired by the Nagorno Karabagh
Republic's commitment to democracy and economic development. ANCA
Western Region (ANCA-WR) Advisory Board Member Garo Madenlian, Esq.,
ANCA-WR Legislative Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan, and the ANCA
Eastern Region's (ANCA-ER) Armen Sahakyan joined the ANCA Washington,
D.C., team in facilitating congressional outreach efforts and sharing
the broad range of Armenian American community priorities.
`The ANCA was proud to help the Baku Armenian community raise its
voice here in Washington'with purpose, power, and passion,' stated
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. `These remarkable young men
and women delivered compelling messages of both remembrance and
resolve across Capitol Hill, educating dozens of members of Congress
about the atrocities committed against their families a generation
ago, and'just as importantly'demanding that American leaders stand up
for Artsakh's, freedom; stand strong against Azerbaijani aggression;
and stand firmly with all those seeking a fair and enduring regional
peace.'
Images from the ANCA's Capitol Hill briefing and meetings is available
on its Facebook page.
Turcotte: `They knew our addresses'
In her remarks on the Capitol Hill briefing, Turcotte described a
`happy and sunny childhood' until 1988, when the `facades of tolerance
began to fade.'
`Life as we knew it for myself, my family, and hundreds of our friends
ceased to exist as the violent gangs organized by the Azerbaijani
government stormed our streets and attacked us for simply being
Armenian,' explained Turcotte, who was just 11-years-old at the time.
`They knew our addresses.'
Turcotte went on to explain that families like hers `spent months
hiding in the dark, with curtains closed tightly or, equally terrified
and surrounded by Russian tanks who were there to assert the Soviet
dominance, not to protect us.'
The effects of that ordeal, their escape and the struggle for survival
affect her to this day, explained Turcotte. `This fear is still
engrained in me at 36 years old, and I detest it. I fight against it
by speaking about it out loud, just as I am doing right now.'
Turcotte praised the Nagorno Karabagh Republic for its commitment to
democracy and development, despite ongoing Azerbaijani attacks.
`Nagorno-Karabagh is flourishing with its limited resources, with all
its security concerns, road by road, building by building, family by
family,' She said.
She continued, sharing this poignant message of hope addressed to the
Artsakh people:
`Baku Armenian communities around the world and especially in the
United States stand with you, Nagorno-Karabagh. May your children
never have to be subjected to the Azerbaijani government again. May
you never hide in the dark like we did fearing for our lives in Baku.
May you proudly display your Armenian names and culture within the
borders of your democratic country, just like I proudly do in my
adoptive country, the United States of America.'
Watch Turcotte's remarks here.
Dorian: `Direct U.S. aid to Nagorno-Karabagh has represented a
powerful investment in peace'
A public health expert and disaster assistance specialist, Dorian
offered a strong indictment of the scarcity of international
humanitarian aid efforts to Nagorno-Karabagh to date, and laid out a
compelling case for expanded U.S. assistance to the fledgling
democracy, based on both the critical needs and the merits.
Explaining that most international response to humanitarian crises is
spearheaded by the United Nations and its relevant agencies,
International Red Cross, non-government organizations and governments,
Dorian noted that `that didn't happen in Nagorno-Karabagh,' with the
United Nations absent from the region to this day.
Turning to U.S. assistance, Dorian explained, `As much as I am proud
of what our government, what we have done in Nagorno-Karabagh to date,
it cannot be forgotten that we didn't provide any assistance until
four years post-ceasefire. Can you imagine waiting four years before
responding to Haiti? Or, waiting four years before responding to
Kosovo?' asked Dorian.
Offering a brief public health snapshot of Nagorno-Karabagh to
attendees, and thanking USAID for the rounds of assistance efforts in
1998 and 2003, in which she participated, Dorian stressed that the
need is still great. `The war and its aftermath have disrupted the
lives of individuals, their families and communities'depriving them of
the means of growth and development.'
Dorian then outlined the merits of expanded U.S. assistance to
Artsakh, citing its commitment to democracy and self-reliance. `Since
1991, Nagorno Karabagh has successfully conducted five parliamentary
and five presidential elections¦ this post-war generation is growing
up in a government of their choosing.' She stressed Nagorno-Karabagh's
commitment to peace, citing its willingness, unlike Azerbaijan, `to
support the OSCE's calls to pull back snipers and increase OSCE
observers.' Dorian highlighted the effectiveness of U.S. assistance in
the region. `We have shown outcomes; we have shown impact; we have
shown that our government's investment, although small, has been a
wise one, by reaching for stated goals and objectives.'
Dorian then shared recommendations for expanded U.S. assistance to
Artsakh, including a thorough public health assessment in the region.
She cited the importance of maintaining Section 907 restrictions on
U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan, sending a strong signal to the
dictatorial Aliyev regime, which has steadily increased its aggression
against Nagorno-Karabagh. She urged Nagorno-Karabagh's direct
participation in the OSCE peace process.
`The fact is that the population in Nagorno-Karabagh is struggling
daily for survival and it is not being afforded the necessary
assistance and support of the international community. Within this
triangle of conflict, the most vulnerable party'Nagorno-Karabagh'is
still marginalized and disenfranchised. Twenty years later, it is time
for us to change the tide,' concluded Dorian.
The video of Dorian's remarks is available online.
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), with Baku survivor Marat
Khoudabakhshiev, ANCA Western Region Advisory Board member Garo
Madenlian, Esq., and ANCA Western Region Legislative Affairs Director
Tereza Yerimyan
Baku Armenians share their stories of survival; vision for peace
Twenty-five years after the Azerbaijani government incited racially
motivated attacks that left hundreds dead, scores injured, and forced
over 300,000 to flee their family homes in Baku, Sumgait, Kirovabad,
Maragha, and other cities throughout Azerbaijan, a small but
determined group of Baku-Armenian survivors travelled to the nation's
capitol to share their stories of courage with legislators, offering
thanks for the safe-haven provided by communities across the U.S. In
meeting after meeting'some 40 Senate and House meetings with
congressional leaders and staff'the eyewitness accounts of Azerbaijani
aggression in the late 1980's and the continued attacks on Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabagh today underscored the need for increased U.S.
assistance and support for an independent Artsakh.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) with Vitaliy Dadalyan, a Baku Armenian whose
family sought refuge in Utah following Azerbaijani aggression in the
late 1980's
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-N.J.)
explained, `Even though we talk about the Armenian Genocide
centennial, we have to remember that this was not just something 100
years ago. It was pogroms 150 years ago and it was pogroms 25 years
ago and we have to remember that.' Citing his support for U.S.
recognition of an independent Artsakh, Congressman Pallone urged for
`whatever we [U.S.] could do'economic development that would lead to
recognition¦ [and] a settlement'so that Karabagh could remain an
independent country, or part of Armenia.'
Inspired by the impact of Turcotte's moving diary of survival,Nowhere,
A Story of Exile, the ANCA issued a call earlier this year to Baku
Armenians across the U.S. to share their stories with elected
officials and the American public, beginning with a poignant account
relayed by 2014 ANCA Leo Sarkisian internInna Mirzoyan.
Since then, others have come forward, including Julia Papiyan, who
shared her family's story, both in the pages of Asbarez and this week
on Capitol Hill. Family stories can be shared with the ANCA by
emailing them to [email protected].
Noted Armenian journalist Marianna Grigoryan and H1 Television's
Washington correspondent Haykaram Nahapetyan travelled throughout the
U.S. videotaping and collecting Baku pogrom survivor accounts for a
powerful documentary which premiered on the 25th anniversary of the
Baku pogroms in January of this year, the fifth installment in the
`Ordinary Genocide' Project.
That documentary will be shared with Congressional offices and is
available online.
Orange County area Congresswoman Mimi Walters (R-Calif.) discusses
U.S. ` Karabagh relations with (L-R) ANCA Legislative Affairs Director
Raffi Karakashian, Esq., constituent and ANCA Western Region Advisory
Board member Garo Madenlian, Esq., ANCA-WR Legislative Affairs
Director Tereza Yerimyan, and Francesco Urti.
Expanding the Armenian American issues profile on Capitol Hill
This month's Capitol Hill briefing on Nagorno-Karabagh is part of a
broader ANCA sponsored initiative to spotlight key Armenian American
community concerns through interactive programs and expanded community
advocacy opportunities.
Last month, the efforts of Near East Relief, the unprecedented
American campaign of international humanitarian assistance which saved
and sustained hundreds of thousands of Armenian Genocide survivors
from 1915-1930, was spotlighted at the first Capitol Hill briefing of
the year. Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone
(D-N.J.), Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Rep. Jim Costa were joined
by public policy leaders and a bipartisan group of Senate and House
congressional staff for the unique presentation by Maurice Kelechian,
a member of the ANCA Western Region's `America We Thank You: An
Armenian Tribute to Near East Relief,'' who has spent decades
researching archives around the world to document this unprecedented
American humanitarian aid effort.
Both programs were made possible by a generous grant by the Aramian
family, in memory of the late Martha Aramian'a respected community
leader and devoted daughter of the Armenian nation.
By Contributor on February 16, 2015 in Headline,
http://armenianweekly.com/2015/02/16/karabagh-campaign/
Baku-Armenians Share Eyewitness Accounts of Azerbaijani Aggression;
Support Artsakh's Security and Press for Increased US Aid
WASHINGTON'A diverse delegation of Armenian American activists, many
with roots in Baku, took part in a capacity-crowd Capitol Hill
briefing and two-day series of congressional meetings, sharing with
members of Congress, for the first time, their harrowing family
accounts of Azerbajiani aggression against the Armenian populations of
Baku, Sumgait, and Kirovabad. The delegation also advocated for robust
U.S. political support and direct assistance to ensure a brighter
future for the free citizens of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
Congressional Armenian Caucus CoChair Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) with
Vitaliy Dadalyan, Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte, Dr. Alina Dorian,
Julia Papiyan, and Marat Khoudabakhshiev at the ANCA Capitol Hill
briefing marking the 25th anniversary of the Baku pogroms and urging
robust U.S. aid to the Nagorno Karabagh Republic.
The ANCA sponsored Capitol Hill program titled, `Nagorno-Karabagh, a
Generation after Anti-Armenian Pogroms: The Challenge of Promoting
Peace and Developing Democracy,' featured powerful remarks by Anna
Astvatsaturian Turcotte, a lawyer, lecturer, and author of Nowhere, a
Story of Exile, and Dr. Alina Dorian, an internationally respected
public health expert and advocate who has worked for decades to
strengthen and expand public health programs in Karabagh.
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone Jr. opened the
program by offering warm words of welcome, and ardent support for an
independent Artsakh. Both the Armenian Embassy and the Nagorno
Karabagh Republic Office in Washington were well represented at the
briefing by Deputy Chief of Mission Hrachia Tashchian and
Nagorno-Karabagh Representative Robert Avetisyan.
Joining Dorian and Turcotte as devoted spokespeople for
Nagorno-Karabagh's independence were Vitaliy Dadalyan, Marat
Khoudabakhshiev, and Julia Papiyan, who traveled from Utah, California
and Michigan, respectively, to share their family stories of
persecution in Baku during the late 1980's. In some 40 meetings with
key Senate and House leaders, members of Congress were moved by their
accounts of courage and survival, and inspired by the Nagorno Karabagh
Republic's commitment to democracy and economic development. ANCA
Western Region (ANCA-WR) Advisory Board Member Garo Madenlian, Esq.,
ANCA-WR Legislative Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan, and the ANCA
Eastern Region's (ANCA-ER) Armen Sahakyan joined the ANCA Washington,
D.C., team in facilitating congressional outreach efforts and sharing
the broad range of Armenian American community priorities.
`The ANCA was proud to help the Baku Armenian community raise its
voice here in Washington'with purpose, power, and passion,' stated
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. `These remarkable young men
and women delivered compelling messages of both remembrance and
resolve across Capitol Hill, educating dozens of members of Congress
about the atrocities committed against their families a generation
ago, and'just as importantly'demanding that American leaders stand up
for Artsakh's, freedom; stand strong against Azerbaijani aggression;
and stand firmly with all those seeking a fair and enduring regional
peace.'
Images from the ANCA's Capitol Hill briefing and meetings is available
on its Facebook page.
Turcotte: `They knew our addresses'
In her remarks on the Capitol Hill briefing, Turcotte described a
`happy and sunny childhood' until 1988, when the `facades of tolerance
began to fade.'
`Life as we knew it for myself, my family, and hundreds of our friends
ceased to exist as the violent gangs organized by the Azerbaijani
government stormed our streets and attacked us for simply being
Armenian,' explained Turcotte, who was just 11-years-old at the time.
`They knew our addresses.'
Turcotte went on to explain that families like hers `spent months
hiding in the dark, with curtains closed tightly or, equally terrified
and surrounded by Russian tanks who were there to assert the Soviet
dominance, not to protect us.'
The effects of that ordeal, their escape and the struggle for survival
affect her to this day, explained Turcotte. `This fear is still
engrained in me at 36 years old, and I detest it. I fight against it
by speaking about it out loud, just as I am doing right now.'
Turcotte praised the Nagorno Karabagh Republic for its commitment to
democracy and development, despite ongoing Azerbaijani attacks.
`Nagorno-Karabagh is flourishing with its limited resources, with all
its security concerns, road by road, building by building, family by
family,' She said.
She continued, sharing this poignant message of hope addressed to the
Artsakh people:
`Baku Armenian communities around the world and especially in the
United States stand with you, Nagorno-Karabagh. May your children
never have to be subjected to the Azerbaijani government again. May
you never hide in the dark like we did fearing for our lives in Baku.
May you proudly display your Armenian names and culture within the
borders of your democratic country, just like I proudly do in my
adoptive country, the United States of America.'
Watch Turcotte's remarks here.
Dorian: `Direct U.S. aid to Nagorno-Karabagh has represented a
powerful investment in peace'
A public health expert and disaster assistance specialist, Dorian
offered a strong indictment of the scarcity of international
humanitarian aid efforts to Nagorno-Karabagh to date, and laid out a
compelling case for expanded U.S. assistance to the fledgling
democracy, based on both the critical needs and the merits.
Explaining that most international response to humanitarian crises is
spearheaded by the United Nations and its relevant agencies,
International Red Cross, non-government organizations and governments,
Dorian noted that `that didn't happen in Nagorno-Karabagh,' with the
United Nations absent from the region to this day.
Turning to U.S. assistance, Dorian explained, `As much as I am proud
of what our government, what we have done in Nagorno-Karabagh to date,
it cannot be forgotten that we didn't provide any assistance until
four years post-ceasefire. Can you imagine waiting four years before
responding to Haiti? Or, waiting four years before responding to
Kosovo?' asked Dorian.
Offering a brief public health snapshot of Nagorno-Karabagh to
attendees, and thanking USAID for the rounds of assistance efforts in
1998 and 2003, in which she participated, Dorian stressed that the
need is still great. `The war and its aftermath have disrupted the
lives of individuals, their families and communities'depriving them of
the means of growth and development.'
Dorian then outlined the merits of expanded U.S. assistance to
Artsakh, citing its commitment to democracy and self-reliance. `Since
1991, Nagorno Karabagh has successfully conducted five parliamentary
and five presidential elections¦ this post-war generation is growing
up in a government of their choosing.' She stressed Nagorno-Karabagh's
commitment to peace, citing its willingness, unlike Azerbaijan, `to
support the OSCE's calls to pull back snipers and increase OSCE
observers.' Dorian highlighted the effectiveness of U.S. assistance in
the region. `We have shown outcomes; we have shown impact; we have
shown that our government's investment, although small, has been a
wise one, by reaching for stated goals and objectives.'
Dorian then shared recommendations for expanded U.S. assistance to
Artsakh, including a thorough public health assessment in the region.
She cited the importance of maintaining Section 907 restrictions on
U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan, sending a strong signal to the
dictatorial Aliyev regime, which has steadily increased its aggression
against Nagorno-Karabagh. She urged Nagorno-Karabagh's direct
participation in the OSCE peace process.
`The fact is that the population in Nagorno-Karabagh is struggling
daily for survival and it is not being afforded the necessary
assistance and support of the international community. Within this
triangle of conflict, the most vulnerable party'Nagorno-Karabagh'is
still marginalized and disenfranchised. Twenty years later, it is time
for us to change the tide,' concluded Dorian.
The video of Dorian's remarks is available online.
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), with Baku survivor Marat
Khoudabakhshiev, ANCA Western Region Advisory Board member Garo
Madenlian, Esq., and ANCA Western Region Legislative Affairs Director
Tereza Yerimyan
Baku Armenians share their stories of survival; vision for peace
Twenty-five years after the Azerbaijani government incited racially
motivated attacks that left hundreds dead, scores injured, and forced
over 300,000 to flee their family homes in Baku, Sumgait, Kirovabad,
Maragha, and other cities throughout Azerbaijan, a small but
determined group of Baku-Armenian survivors travelled to the nation's
capitol to share their stories of courage with legislators, offering
thanks for the safe-haven provided by communities across the U.S. In
meeting after meeting'some 40 Senate and House meetings with
congressional leaders and staff'the eyewitness accounts of Azerbaijani
aggression in the late 1980's and the continued attacks on Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabagh today underscored the need for increased U.S.
assistance and support for an independent Artsakh.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) with Vitaliy Dadalyan, a Baku Armenian whose
family sought refuge in Utah following Azerbaijani aggression in the
late 1980's
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-N.J.)
explained, `Even though we talk about the Armenian Genocide
centennial, we have to remember that this was not just something 100
years ago. It was pogroms 150 years ago and it was pogroms 25 years
ago and we have to remember that.' Citing his support for U.S.
recognition of an independent Artsakh, Congressman Pallone urged for
`whatever we [U.S.] could do'economic development that would lead to
recognition¦ [and] a settlement'so that Karabagh could remain an
independent country, or part of Armenia.'
Inspired by the impact of Turcotte's moving diary of survival,Nowhere,
A Story of Exile, the ANCA issued a call earlier this year to Baku
Armenians across the U.S. to share their stories with elected
officials and the American public, beginning with a poignant account
relayed by 2014 ANCA Leo Sarkisian internInna Mirzoyan.
Since then, others have come forward, including Julia Papiyan, who
shared her family's story, both in the pages of Asbarez and this week
on Capitol Hill. Family stories can be shared with the ANCA by
emailing them to [email protected].
Noted Armenian journalist Marianna Grigoryan and H1 Television's
Washington correspondent Haykaram Nahapetyan travelled throughout the
U.S. videotaping and collecting Baku pogrom survivor accounts for a
powerful documentary which premiered on the 25th anniversary of the
Baku pogroms in January of this year, the fifth installment in the
`Ordinary Genocide' Project.
That documentary will be shared with Congressional offices and is
available online.
Orange County area Congresswoman Mimi Walters (R-Calif.) discusses
U.S. ` Karabagh relations with (L-R) ANCA Legislative Affairs Director
Raffi Karakashian, Esq., constituent and ANCA Western Region Advisory
Board member Garo Madenlian, Esq., ANCA-WR Legislative Affairs
Director Tereza Yerimyan, and Francesco Urti.
Expanding the Armenian American issues profile on Capitol Hill
This month's Capitol Hill briefing on Nagorno-Karabagh is part of a
broader ANCA sponsored initiative to spotlight key Armenian American
community concerns through interactive programs and expanded community
advocacy opportunities.
Last month, the efforts of Near East Relief, the unprecedented
American campaign of international humanitarian assistance which saved
and sustained hundreds of thousands of Armenian Genocide survivors
from 1915-1930, was spotlighted at the first Capitol Hill briefing of
the year. Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone
(D-N.J.), Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Rep. Jim Costa were joined
by public policy leaders and a bipartisan group of Senate and House
congressional staff for the unique presentation by Maurice Kelechian,
a member of the ANCA Western Region's `America We Thank You: An
Armenian Tribute to Near East Relief,'' who has spent decades
researching archives around the world to document this unprecedented
American humanitarian aid effort.
Both programs were made possible by a generous grant by the Aramian
family, in memory of the late Martha Aramian'a respected community
leader and devoted daughter of the Armenian nation.