ARMENIAN
ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 7, 2017

Contact: Danielle
Saroyan

Telephone:
(202) 393-3434

Web: www.aaainc.org

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE ENSURES
CONTINUED FUNDING TO ARTSAKH

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Appropriations Committee
adopted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Programs (SFOPS) appropriations bill, which ensures continued funding to
Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), reported the Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly).

The
"Committee recommends assistance for the victims of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict in amounts consistent with prior fiscal years, and for ongoing needs
related to the conflict." The Committee urges a peaceful resolution to the
conflict, which, given Azerbaijan's recent and unprecedented attacks against
Armenia and Artsakh, underscores the importance of implementing an accurate
cease-fire monitoring system along the line of contact.

In the
Assembly's testimony earlier this year to the Senate Appropriations Committee,
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny urged robust funding for Artsakh to
help meet the ongoing humanitarian and development needs for its people.

The
Committee also adopted an amendment offered by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD),
which would prohibit arms sales to the Turkish Presidential Protection
Directorate in light of the vicious attack by Turkey's security detail in
Washington, D.C. against peaceful protesters on May 17, 2017. Last week,
nineteen people, including 15 Turkish security officials, were indicted as a
result of this attack in front of the Turkish Ambassador's residence during
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit.

The bill
also maintains Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, restating the six
customary exemptions for humanitarian and other assistance to Azerbaijan. The
Assembly continues to call for full enforcement of Section 907 given
Azerbaijan's hostile and aggressive actions against Armenians.

"The
Armenian Assembly applauds the bipartisan work of the Senate Appropriations
Committee and especially appreciates the efforts of Senator Van Hollen in
helping to ensure continued funding to Artsakh. His leadership on critically
important priorities for U.S. engagement in Armenia and Artsakh is vital, and
we look forward to continuing our work with him during this critical
time," stated Armenian Assembly Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and Van
Krikorian.

"Moreover,
with recent developments by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting
Project (OCCRP) shedding light on money laundering by President Ilham Aliyev
and his family, known as the 'The Azerbaijan Laundromat,' we are seeing the
exposure and rejection of caviar diplomacy done for years," the Assembly
Co-Chairs added.

As part of
the Manager's amendment package, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) included bill
language on visa restrictions for Azeri officials "about whom the
Secretary of State has credible information have been involved in the wrongful
imprisonment of Mehman Aliyev, the director of Turan, Azerbaijan's last
remaining independent news outlet." Similarly, Senators James Lankford
(R-OK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) included language regarding visa denial for
Turkish officials involved in prolonging the unlawful detention of U.S.
citizens in Turkey.

The bill
also promotes international religious freedom and protection for persecuted
religious minorities, particularly in the Middle East. The $25 million programs
also includes $5 million for atrocities prevention programs.

Established
in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.

###

NR#: 2017-063

Photo
Caption: Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS), Senate
Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Senate Subcommittee
on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Chairman Senator Lindsey
Graham (R-SC), and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

Available
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