UPCOMING SENATE AND HOUSE HEARINGS TO FOCUS ON ARMENIA AND CAUCASUS REGION

NOYAN TAPAN.
June 11

WASHINGTON- ARMENIANS TODAY

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs
Committee members next week will have the opportunity to question
State Department officials on U.S. policy regarding Armenia and the
surrounding area, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).

Assistant Secretary of State for Europe Dan Fried will testify before
the House Foreign Affairs Committee on June 18 regarding U.S. policy
towards the Caucasus region. Chairman Howard Berman and his fellow
Committee members will be focusing on a wide range of issues including
the ongoing blockade of Armenia, U.S. policy on the Armenian Genocide,
and foreign aid. Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. Nabi Sensoy recently
denied the existence of a Turkish blockade, arguing that there are
many Armenians who serve as "nannies" to Turkish children. The World
Bank estimates that Turkey and Azerbaijan’s blockades of Armenia
reduce Armenia’s GDP by up to 38% annually.

Rep. Adam Schiff along with Rep. George Radanovich and Frank Pallone,
and Joe Knollenberg recently introduced the "End the Turkish Blockade
of Armenia" Bill, which calls upon Turkey to end its blockade of
Armenia and asks the U.S. Department of State to report on its efforts
towards this end.

And on June 19 the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is slated to
hold a confirmation hearing for U.S. Ambassador to Armenia nominee
Marie Yovanovitch.