The office of California Rep. TJ Cox
Thursday
Rep. TJ Cox Introduces Amendment to Ensure U.S. Aid to the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh)
Today, Congressman TJ Cox (CA-21) introduced an amendment to the State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2020. Congressman Cox's amendment would ensure that vital funding is allocated for the ongoing demining projects in the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), and would support regional rehabilitation services for infants, children, and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. The amendment was incorporated with additional foreign aid related amendments, which will be voted on together in en bloc next week as the House concludes debate on H.R. 2740.
"Karabakh has one of the highest civilian casualty rates from land mines and unsolicited remnants of war. Children and families shouldn't have to live under the constant threat of a crippling injury or death from exploding mines," said Congressman TJ Cox. "My amendment will ensure continued funding for demining and rehabilitation projects in Karabakh. I'm committed to working with my colleagues on the Armenian Caucus, the Armenian National Committee of America, and the HALO Trust to restore communities, and ensure the region is landmine free in the near future."
"We join with Armenian Americans from across California's Central Valley and throughout the United States in thanking Congressman Cox for his leadership in securing continued appropriations for the U.S. aid program for Artsakh a meaningful American investment in peace and Artsakh's democratic development," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We are particularly gratified that this humanitarian aid will help de-mine Artsakh saving lives and opening up new land for families and farming and also to provide desperately needed regional rehabilitation services for individuals injured by mines and for all those living with physical or cognitive disabilities."
Watch Congressman Cox Speak on his Amendment Here
Background: The Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) is locked in a frozen conflict that flared amidst the collapse of the Soviet Union. The conflict which became an all-out war between 1992 1994 took the lives of close to 20,000 people and hundreds of thousands more were displaced as a result. While an agreed ceasefire has been held for over two decades, the lack of a formal end to the war has left the Armenian people of Artsakh isolated. Since 2000, USAID funding for demining projects in the region has allowed for the clearing of 4,727 acres of former minefield and the eradication of close to 4,000 landmines and 8,000 items of unexploded or abandoned ordnance.