Arminfo.info


 Friday, September 22 2023 10:17
Marianna Mkrtchyan

Bob Menendez introduces bill to support Armenians against Azerbaijan

Bob Menendez introduces bill to support Armenians against Azerbaijan

ArmInfo.Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez introduced legislation  today to revoke the President's authority to waive Section 907 of the  FREEDOM Support Act and enact U.S. sanctions against President Ilham  Aliyev and other senior Azerbaijani officials, reported the Armenian  National Committee of America (ANCA).

The measure condemns Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and calls upon Azerbaijan to  lift its blockade, allow the delivery of U.S. and international  humanitarian assistance, and release all Armenian POWs, in addition  to authorizing multi-year appropriations of direct U.S. humanitarian  aid to Artsakh and for energy, science, and military programs in  Armenia. "Congress is leading where our President has so clearly  failed - in standing up to Azerbaijan, sanctioning Aliyev and sending  humanitarian aid to Artsakh," said ANCA Executive Director Aram  Hamparian. 

"We encourage the broad-based and growing bipartisan support for  revoking the President's statutory authority to suspend Section 907,  and look forward to seeing this provision enacted into law." Joining  Senator Menendez as early cosponsors of the "Supporting Armenians  Against Azerbaijani Act" are Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chris Van  Hollen (D-MD), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and  Gary Peters (D-MD).

Authorizations for spending in Senator Menendez's measure are as  follows: -- A one-time authorization to appropriate to the United  States Agency for International Development, for fiscal year 2024,  $30,000,000 to provide humanitarian assistance to groups in Armenia  and Nagorno-Karabakh impacted by the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War,  Azerbaijan's September 2022 attack on Armenia, and Azerbaijan's  blockade of the Lachin Corridor. -- A one-time authorization to  appropriate $10,000,000 for the Department of State for fiscal year  2024 for Foreign Military Financing program assistance for the  Republic of Armenia. -- A three-year authorization to appropriate  $650,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2026 to carry out  activities to support the energy sector of the Republic of Armenia.  -- A five-year authorization to appropriate $50,000,000 for each of  fiscal years 2024 through 2028 for activities promoting U.S.-Armenian  cooperation on science and technology. The text of the bill is  available at:  https://anca.org/assets/pdf/092123_Menendez_AzerbaijanSanctionsBill.pdf 

Upon introduction of the bill earlier today, Chairman Menendez and  Senate cosponsors stressed the urgency of holding Azerbaijan  accountable for their blockade and escalating aggression against the  120,000 indigenous Artsakh Armenian population. "President Aliyev has  repeatedly shown he will stop at nothing to eradicate Armenians in  Nagorno-Karabakh and threaten his neighbors. This urgent bipartisan  legislation both solidifies our collective support for Armenians and  sends a clear message to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh that the  United States will not stand idly by while the Aliyev regime carries  out its brutal campaigns of starvation and military action,"  explained Chairman Menendez. 

"The Azeri government and President Aliyev used first a blockade and  then an attack to force their will upon Nagorno-Karabakh.  Armenians  suffered the first genocide of the 20th century, which opened the  door for many of the horrors in this century.  This is the latest  episode of the use of force to resolve things which should be done  diplomatically," said Senator Cassidy. 

"Azerbaijan's renewed attacks on Nagorno-Karabakh are unacceptable.  The US and international community must act to end the blockade, halt  Azerbaijan's aggression against Armenians and hold those responsible  accountable. This legislation sends a clear signal that we will not  stand idly by in the face of these attacks," noted Senator Van  Hollen. 

"We cannot stand idly by as Azerbaijan takes escalatory steps to  ethnically cleanse Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. We must swiftly  pass this legislation to provide immediate support to Armenians in  Nagorno-Karabakh and to ensure the Azerbaijani regime is held  accountable for its grave human rights violations and unprovoked acts  of aggression on Armenians in the region. I will continue to work to  create the conditions for lasting peace in the region," stressed  Senator Padilla. "America can't stand idly by as brutal violence  perpetrated by the authoritarian regime in Azerbaijan raises the  specter of genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh. This legislation imposes  stiff sanctions that will help hold the Azerbaijani government  accountable for its clear human rights violations, while authorizing  much-needed humanitarian assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh and the  people of Armenia," noted Senator Whitehouse.  Senate Foreign  Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-NJ) is leading a Senate  bill to hold Azerbaijan calling for the repeal of the waiver of  Section 907 restrictions on US aid to Azerbaijan and sanctions on  Azerbaijani leaders for war crimes.  

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     

News
A $100 Million Strategy to Reclaim the Soul of the Armenian Diaspora ChurchA $100 Million Strategy to Reclaim the Soul of the Armenian Diaspora Church
Armenia Day  held at Children of the Commonwealth forum in BelarusArmenia Day  held at Children of the Commonwealth forum in Belarus
Armenia`s premier seeking to destroy all centers of resistance - ARF  rep Armenia`s premier seeking to destroy all centers of resistance - ARF  rep 
Idram and Alipay+ Facilitate Cross-Border QR Payments in Armenia, Opening the Caucasus to Global Digital Wallet UsersIdram and Alipay+ Facilitate Cross-Border QR Payments in Armenia, Opening the Caucasus to Global Digital Wallet Users
Investigave Committee reveals huge damage to condominium Investigave Committee reveals huge damage to condominium 
Ardshinbank Participated in Tech Week Vanadzor 2025Ardshinbank Participated in Tech Week Vanadzor 2025
Commission for Protection of Lawyers` Rights applies to  Anti-Corruption Committee over obstruction of meetings of lawyers  with their clients Commission for Protection of Lawyers` Rights applies to  Anti-Corruption Committee over obstruction of meetings of lawyers  with their clients 
Abu Dhabi meeting failure - expert Abu Dhabi meeting failure - expert 
U.S. appoints new defense attache in Armenia U.S. appoints new defense attache in Armenia 
Foreign actors need to view Armenia`s opposition camp as reliable  partner - expert Foreign actors need to view Armenia`s opposition camp as reliable  partner - expert 
Robert Kocharyan files another claim against Armenian NA speaker Robert Kocharyan files another claim against Armenian NA speaker 
Armenian POWs` rep before ECHR provides clarifications regarding  egregious violations of Ruben Vardanyan`s rights in Baku Armenian POWs` rep before ECHR provides clarifications regarding  egregious violations of Ruben Vardanyan`s rights in Baku 
Armen Ashotyan supports ARFArmen Ashotyan supports ARF
Armenia`s president appoints ambassadors to Oman, Jordan Armenia`s president appoints ambassadors to Oman, Jordan 
Tashir Pizza network director arrested for one month Tashir Pizza network director arrested for one month 
Yerevan again comments on results of Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting in Abu  Dhabi Yerevan again comments on results of Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting in Abu  Dhabi 
USA supports efforts to promote peace and stability in South Caucasus  - U.S.  Department of State USA supports efforts to promote peace and stability in South Caucasus  - U.S.  Department of State 
 Russia ready to contribute to rapprochement between Armenia,  Azerbaijan - RF MFA  Russia ready to contribute to rapprochement between Armenia,  Azerbaijan - RF MFA 
ARF accuses Armenian authorities of political persecutionARF accuses Armenian authorities of political persecution
Arayik Harutyunyan appointed advisor to  President of International  Weightlifting FederationArayik Harutyunyan appointed advisor to President of International Weightlifting Federation
Hero of our time: 14-year-old  Aren Nazaryan, who drove for 40 hours   during the exodus of the Artsakh population, receives Hero of our time: 14-year-old Aren Nazaryan, who drove for 40 hours during the exodus of the Artsakh population, receives "Warm Heart 2025" award
Political scientist: the main message of the UAE meeting: the war  will not resume, but there is no peace eitherPolitical scientist: the main message of the UAE meeting: the war will not resume, but there is no peace either
Armenia, Iran emphasize the importance of taking steps to promote   peace and stability in the regionArmenia, Iran emphasize the importance of taking steps to promote peace and stability in the region
Patriarch of Antioch: Any attempt to undermine  sanctity of AAC,  disrupt its  internal governance is serious violation of religious  freedomPatriarch of Antioch: Any attempt to undermine  sanctity of AAC,  disrupt its  internal governance is serious violation of religious  freedom
Bagrat Galstanyan: I demand  competent authorities to release full  conversationBagrat Galstanyan: I demand  competent authorities to release full  conversation
Investigative Committee: the grenade seized during searches is a  combat grenade, and  two detonators are also ammunitionInvestigative Committee: the grenade seized during searches is a  combat grenade, and  two detonators are also ammunition
Expert on Azerbaijani studies on  extraterritorial corridor through  Syunik: how many times can  Expert on Azerbaijani studies on  extraterritorial corridor through  Syunik: how many times can  "red line" become yellow or green?
Armenian MFA presents results of  Aliyev-Pashinyan negotiations in  Abu DhabiArmenian MFA presents results of  Aliyev-Pashinyan negotiations in  Abu Dhabi
New building of Yerevan Circus, constructed by Tashir Group of  Companies, may be confiscated by stateNew building of Yerevan Circus, constructed by Tashir Group of  Companies, may be confiscated by state
RA Prosecutor General`s Office seeking recovery of assets from  opposition MP SargsyanRA Prosecutor General`s Office seeking recovery of assets from  opposition MP Sargsyan
Kremlin: Russia welcomes direct dialogue between Armenia and  AzerbaijanKremlin: Russia welcomes direct dialogue between Armenia and  Azerbaijan
Armenian Ombudsperson highlights violation of presumption of  innocence by law enforcement officers when detaining opposition  figuresArmenian Ombudsperson highlights violation of presumption of  innocence by law enforcement officers when detaining opposition  figures
Law-enforcers detain seven people in `terrorism` case Law-enforcers detain seven people in `terrorism` case 
Building in Yerevan to be removed from privatization listBuilding in Yerevan to be removed from privatization list
Japanese grant to be spent on development of air quality control  system Japanese grant to be spent on development of air quality control  system 
"Business Process Optimization with AI" – a Course for the Senior Management of AraratBank
100th birthday anniversary of great masters Henrikh Malyan and Aghasi  Ayvazyan to be marked in Yerevan100th birthday anniversary of great masters Henrikh Malyan and Aghasi  Ayvazyan to be marked in Yerevan
Lands in Goris community to be donated to Little Ones of Armenia  charitable foundation Lands in Goris community to be donated to Little Ones of Armenia  charitable foundation 
RA Human Rights Defender launches probe into raids and detentions of  ARF members RA Human Rights Defender launches probe into raids and detentions of  ARF members 
U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman concerned over recent arrests in  Armenia U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman concerned over recent arrests in  Armenia 
Police raid ARF members` homes, detain people Police raid ARF members` homes, detain people 
ANCA CEO raises voice in defense of Russian-Armenian businessman  Samvel Karapetyan ANCA CEO raises voice in defense of Russian-Armenian businessman  Samvel Karapetyan 
OSCE/ODIHR informed of controversy over AAC OSCE/ODIHR informed of controversy over AAC 
Armenia, EU hold sixth meeting of Partnership CommitteeArmenia, EU hold sixth meeting of Partnership Committee
Armenian premier, Azerbaijani president to discuss peace deal in Abu  Dhabi Armenian premier, Azerbaijani president to discuss peace deal in Abu  Dhabi 
Samvel Karapetyan sues blogger Roman Baghdasaryan demanding retraction and payment of 6 million dramsSamvel Karapetyan sues blogger Roman Baghdasaryan demanding retraction and payment of 6 million drams
Zhanna Andreasyan: RA government  prioritizes development of Armenian StudiesZhanna Andreasyan: RA government  prioritizes development of Armenian Studies
Court`s decision to arrest NA deputy Artur Sargsyan to be appealed- lawyerCourt`s decision to arrest NA deputy Artur Sargsyan to be appealed- lawyer
Artur Sargsyan arrested for 2 monthsArtur Sargsyan arrested for 2 months
ARF members, Russian State Duma representatives discuss regional security issuesARF members, Russian State Duma representatives discuss regional security issues
RA Prime Minister arrives in UAE on working visitRA Prime Minister arrives in UAE on working visit
RA MFA: There can be no agreement on  RA MFA: There can be no agreement on  "Zangezur corridor"
Zakharova comments on information about Azerbaijan selling weapons to UkraineZakharova comments on information about Azerbaijan selling weapons to Ukraine
Oppositionist: It is necessary to integrate Artsakh residents in Armenia in order to move away from the principle of Oppositionist: It is necessary to integrate Artsakh residents in Armenia in order to move away from the principle of "no man, no problem"
Starting January 1, citizenship  services for both obtaining and terminating citizenship will be digitized- MIAStarting January 1, citizenship  services for both obtaining and terminating citizenship will be digitized- MIA
A decision to arrest a member of the National Assembly to be made within the next  2-3 hours - lawyerA decision to arrest a member of the National Assembly to be made within the next  2-3 hours - lawyer
Armenia, Iran  Defense Ministers discuss regional security issuesArmenia, Iran  Defense Ministers discuss regional security issues
Prosperous Armenia Party  leader  interrogated by  Anti-Corruption CommitteeProsperous Armenia Party  leader  interrogated by  Anti-Corruption Committee
Oppositionist: Pashinyan  repressing the opposition to show Aliyev and Erdogan his loyalty to the agreements made with them Oppositionist: Pashinyan  repressing the opposition to show Aliyev and Erdogan his loyalty to the agreements made with them 
AAC followers from all over the world form Pan-Armenian Council for  the Protection of the Armenian ChurchAAC followers from all over the world form Pan-Armenian Council for  the Protection of the Armenian Church
Read more



Commented