US Congressmen call for increased aid to Armenia and Artsakh  

ArmInfo. With a strong focus on the new opportunities for the growth of U.S.-Armenia relations in the wake of last year's Velvet Revolution, House Energy and Commerce  Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and House Select Committee on  Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) each offered  testimony to the U.S. House foreign aid panel in support of expanded  assistance to both Armenia and Artsakh, reported the Armenian  National Committee of America (ANCA).  

"We strongly support the foreign aid priorities advanced by Congressmen Schiff and Pallone and  thank them both their leadership in working with key appropriators in  support of a forward-leaning aid package for Artsakh and Armenia,"  said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.  "We look forward to  continuing to engage with our friends across Capitol Hill throughout  the appropriations process to support each of these priorities, and -  more broadly - to leveraging U.S. aid policy in driving a strategic  upgrade in U.S.-Armenia political, economic, and military relations."  Congressman Pallone, the founding Co-Chairman of the Armenian Caucus,  and Rep. Schiff, a Vice- Chairman of the bipartisan Caucus,  identified the following five appropriations priorities in the Fiscal  Year 2020 foreign aid bill:  -- Economic aid to Armenia - to promote  sustainable growth -- Military aid to Armenia - to support  peacekeeping programs -- "Safe haven" aid - to help Armenia settle  Middle East refugees -- Artsakh aid - for de-mining and  rehabilitation services -- Royce-Engel aid - to strengthen the  cease-fire by deploying gunfire locaters In their testimony, both  Congressman Pallone and Congressman Schiff called upon the  Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations to  appropriate funds to support media freedom, judicial independence,  anti-corruption, and civil society programs. They also encouraged the  panel to zero-out U.S.  military aid to Azerbaijan "until its  government ceases its attacks against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh  and agrees to the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts.  ANCA  Government Affairs Director Raffi Karakashian will also be providing  testimony on the ANCA's FY2020 foreign aid priorities before the  House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations on Tuesday,  March 12th.  Karakashian's testimony will be streamed on the ANCA's  Facebook page at approximately 12:15pm. 

As ANCA informs, in his speech in the Subcommittee Congressman Adam  Schiff stressed that now more than ever, American interests are at  stake as "we confront unprecedented instability and growing  humanitarian crises around the world. 

Congress must invest in our national security, which includes  development and diplomacy programs, alongside strong defense. I have  always been a strong proponent of support for Armenia. I have also  been unwavering in my support for the right of self-determination of  the people of Nagorno-Karabakh or Artsakh.  The continued instances  of violence against the people of Artsakh call for specific steps to  defuse tension and violence along the border, and humanitarian  assistance to the people of Artsakh who simply want to live free of  fear and violence, and exercise their right of self-determination. I  urge the Subcommittee to:  Ensure that not less than $6 million in  Fiscal Year 2020 aid be appropriated to Nagorno-Karabakh for de-  mining efforts and other humanitarian projects.  Suspend U.S.  military aid to Azerbaijan until its government ceases its attacks  against Armenia and Nagorno- Karabakh, and agrees to the peaceful  resolution of regional conflicts.  In the interest of effective U.S.  oversight of our aid programs, we request that the Department of  State and USAID lift any official or unofficial restrictions on U.S.  travel, communication, or contacts with Artsakh government officials  or civil society stakeholders.  Include bill language providing   funding to support implementation of the Royce-Engel peace  proposals, prioritizing the placement of OSCE-monitored, advanced  gunfire locator systems and sound-ranging equipment to determine the  source of attacks along the line of contact.

The U.S.-Armenia relationship is founded upon a shared commitment to  freedom and democratic values.  Armenia provides a safe haven for  refugees, participates in U.S. led peacekeeping deployments, and  supports the peaceful resolution of regional disputes, " the  Congressman stressed in his speech.