Author: Garnik Zakarian

BREAKING: US House adopts four ANCA-backed amendments

Garnik Zakarian
 ANCA ANCA News 0

WASHINGTON, DC – Powerful Congressional, community and coalition advocacy contributed to today’s US House passage of four Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)-backed amendments demanding Baku’s release of Armenian prisoners of war (POWs), calling for investigations into Azerbaijani war crimes, reporting on the impact of US military aid to Azerbaijan and placing restrictions on the sale of F-16s to Turkey.

Three of the measures were adopted as part of larger groupings, or blocs, of amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA – H.R.7900). The fourth, placing restrictions on F-16 sales to Turkey, passed by a vote of 244 to 179, withstanding powerful opposition from pro-Erdogan lobbyists during final days of consideration of the measure. The US House is expected to pass the underlying NDAA measures later Thursday evening.

“The ANCA thanks the Congressional leaders, coalition partners, and tens of thousands of ANCA activists from across the United States who made today’s victories possible,” said ANCA chairman Raffi Hamparian. “Working together – against deeply entrenched and powerfully vested interests – we are helping to protect Artsakh, promote Armenia, hold Azerbaijan accountable and stop the flow of US arms to Turkey.”

The four pro-Artsakh/Armenia amendments adopted by the U.S. House are provided below:

Amendment #121: Spearheaded by Representatives Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA), the amendment calls for a report by the State Department and Defense Department that would detail the use of U.S. parts in Turkish drones used by Azerbaijan against Armenia and Artsakh; Azerbaijan’s use of white phosphorous, cluster bombs and other prohibited munitions deployed against Artsakh; Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s recruitment of foreign terrorist fighters during the 2020 Artsakh war.

The amendment was adopted by voice vote as part of “en bloc 1” – a larger grouping of amendments to (H.R.7900).

Joining Representatives Tony Cardenas, Brad Sherman, and Adam Schiff (D-CA) as Congressional cosponsors of the bipartisan amendment include Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Judy Chu (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), James Langevin (D-RI), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Andy Levin (D-MI), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and David Valadao (R-CA).

Amendment #611: Introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the amendment expresses the sense of Congress that the government of Azerbaijan should immediately return all Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians.   The amendment was adopted by voice vote as part of “en bloc 5” – a larger grouping of amendments to H.R.7900.

Joining Rep. Schiff as Congressional cosponsors of the bipartisan amendment include Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Katherine Clark (D-MA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), James Langevin (D-RI), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Andy Levin (D-MI), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and David Valadao (R-CA).

Amendment #337: Introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), the amendment directs the U.S. Department of State in coordination with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to:

1) document the State Department’s consideration of all waiver requirements of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act

2) report on whether U.S. security assistance to the government of Azerbaijan undermines efforts toward a peaceful settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan

3) provide an assessment of Azerbaijan’s use of offensive force against Armenia or violations of Armenian sovereign territory from November 11, 2020, to the date of the enactment of this Act.

In powerful remarks on the House floor, Rep. Frank Pallone condemned the annual U.S. presidential waiver of Section 907 restrictions on U.S. aid to Azerbaijan and urged passage of the amendment.  “We don’t believe that there is any justification for waiving [Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act]  because of the constant threat that Azerbaijan poses not only to Nagorno Karabakh but also to Armenia itself, that continues ever since [the 2020] war.”

The amendment was adopted as part of “en bloc 3” – a larger grouping of amendments to the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R.7900) – by a vote of 362 to 64.

Joining Rep. Speier as congressional cosponsors of the bi-partisan measure include Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), James Langevin (D-RI), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Dina Titus (D-NV), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and David Valadao (R-CA).

Amendment #399: Led by Representatives Frank Pallone, Chris Pappas (D-NH), and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), the amendment places conditions upon the sale or transfer of F-16s or F-16 modernization kits to Turkey.

Rep. Pallone rallied Congressional support for the amendment during the floor debate prior to the vote. “The sale of American advanced fighter jets to Turkey will not incentivize Erdogan to suddenly transform into a good ally. More likely these weapons will lead to further death and destruction in the region. For far too long the United States has allowed Erdogan to dictate his terms and hide behind Turkey’s status as a NATO ally. He has avoided facing real-life consequences greater than a slap on the wrist for his flagrant violations of international law at home and abroad and it’s time we finally say enough is enough. This amendment will do just that and help take the leveraging power out of Erdogan’s dangerous autocratic hands,” argued Pallone.

Former Congressional Turkey Caucus Co-Chair Pete Sessions’ (D-TX) arguments – calling Erdogan a “reliable ally,” citing Committee jurisdictional issues, and questioning whether Turkey really violates Greek airspace – fell flat.

The measure was adopted by a bipartisan vote of 244 to 179.

Joining Representatives Pallone, Pappas and Bilirakis as co-sponsors of the bipartisan measure are Representatives David Cicilline (D-RI), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), James Langevin (D-RI), Andy Levin (D-MI), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Grace Meng (D-NY), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV).

In addition to the ANCA, the following US civil society organizations are on the record opposing the sale F-16s to Turkey: American Friends of Kurdistan, American Jewish Committee, Hellenic American Leadership Council, In Defense of Christians, Middle East Forum and PSEKA – International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus.

Over the past weeks, in addition to nationwide grassroots call and Twitter campaigns, the ANCA Leo Sarkisian, Maral Melkonian Avetisyan and Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program summer interns and fellows joined ANCA Government Affairs director Tereza Yerimyan in advocating for these pro-Artsakh/Armenia priorities in legislative briefings for over 100 Congressional offices, in addition to a broader office-by-office outreach campaign.

The ANCA will continue to work with Senate Armed Services Committee members include the adoption of these measures in their version of the FY 2023 NDAA, set to be discussed in the fall.

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The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.
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Magnitude 4.4 quake registered on Armenia-Georgia border

Garnik Zakarian

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 08:31,

YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. A 4.4 magnitude earthquake was registered on the Armenia-Georgia border 14km east from the village of Bavra at 07:36 on July 11, the Seismic Protection Survey Seismological Network of the Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations said.

The earthquake was recorded at a depth of 10km.

The tremor measured magnitude 6 point at the epicenter area.

The earthquake was felt in Shirak and Lori provinces – 5 point, Tavush and Aragatsotn provinces – 4 point, as well as in Yerevan – 2-3 point.

U.S. Congresswoman calls for State Department report documenting reasons for providing military aid to Azerbaijan

Garnik Zakarian

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 12:11, 6 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS. U.S. Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA) introduced an ANCA-backed amendment to the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) calling for a State Department report which documents the reasons behind the Biden Administration's waiver of Section 907 restrictions on U.S. aid to Azerbaijan and whether that aid has undermined the Artsakh peace process, ANCA reports.

Amendment #992 is co-sponsored by Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), and Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA).

“The ANCA is leading a grassroots effort to secure additional co-sponsors prior to next week's House Rules Committee consideration of the amendment.

NDAA amendments ruled "in order" by the House Rules Committee will be voted on by the full U.S. House”, the ANCA said.  

U.S. President Joe Biden has, yet again, waived Section 907 restrictions on U.S. aid to Azerbaijan, clearing the way for continued U.S. assistance to the corrupt, anti-Armenian Aliyev regime.

Section 907, enacted in 1992, establishes statutory restrictions on U.S. assistance to the Government of Azerbaijan “until the President determines, and so reports to the Congress, that the Government of Azerbaijan is taking demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.” Congress included a Section 907 waiver in the FY2002 Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. U.S. presidents – Republican and Democrat – have waived Section 907 annually ever since.




Armenian, Spanish Foreign Ministers hold tête-à-tête meeting

Garnik Zakarian

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 16:20, 6 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, who is in Spain on a working visit, had a tête-à-tête meeting with Foreign Minister of Spain José Manuel Albares Bueno, Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan said on social media.

Within the framework of the visit, the Armenian FM is scheduled to meet with President of the Congress of Deputies Meritxell Batet, and Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization Zurab Pololikashvili.

Following their meeting, Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Spain will deliver statements for the press.

Armenia welcomes Canada’s decision to open Embassy in Yerevan

Garnik Zakarian
Public Radio of Armenia
June 29 2022
June 29, 2022, 20:14

 Less than a minute

We strongly welcome Canada’s decision to open Embassy in Armenia with resident Ambassador, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said in a Twitter post.

“This is yet another milestone in progressively developing Armenian-Canadian relations which will further reinforce our bilateral cooperation based on common values,” Minister Mirzoyan said.

Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced the plans at a press conference earlier today.

“Following the mission and report of Stéphane Dion, Canada’s Special Envoy to the European Union and Europe and Ambassador to Germany, on ways to increase Canadian support for Armenian democracy, Canada will open a full embassy with a resident ambassador in Armenia, allowing for stronger bilateral ties and increased Canadian support for Armenian democracy,” Minister Joly said.

Angela Merkel to chair the jury of the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity

Garnik Zakarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – July 1 2022
July 1, 2022, 22:00

 2 minutes read

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be the next president of the jury for the prize, worth 1 million euros, awarded annually by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

This is the first position accepted by Merkel since she ceased her duties as chancellor in December 2021.

Founded by the Armenian oil magnate and art collector Calouste Gulbenkian in Portugal in 1956, the foundation aims to improve people’s quality of life through art, charity, science and education.

Angela Merkel succeeds Jorge Sampaio, who has been president of the jury since its first edition. The jury also includes Miguel Bastos Araújo (Research Professor at the National Museum of Natural Sciences, in Madrid and Professor of Biogeography at the University of Évora, Pessoa Prize 2018), Hans Joachim Schellnhuber (Founder and Director Emeritus of  the Potsdam Institute for Research on the Impact Climate Specialist and Professor Emeritus at Tsinghua University in China), Johan Rockström (Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Researchand Professor of Earth System Sciences at the University of Potsdam), Miguel Arias Cañete (former European Commissioner for Energy and Climate Action), Rik Leemans (Director of the Environmental Systems Analysis Group, University of Wageningen and Wageningen and editor-in-chief of the journal international  Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability ), Runa Khan (Founder and Executive Director of the NGO Friendship and President of Global Dignity Bangladesh), Sandra Díaz (Biologist, Professor of Ecology at the National University of Córdoba and member of the Royal Society) and Sunita Narain (Director of the Center for Science and Environment in Delhi and Editor of Down To Earth Magazine).

The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity was established by the Foundation with the aim of distinguishing people, groups or organizations from all over the world that have been outstanding in the fight against the climate crisis. 

Among the potential areas of recognition for the Award are those that can contribute to reducing or removing greenhouse gas emissions; actions to increase the resilience of people and the environment to the impacts of climate change; and also the mobilization of financial resources, public or private, to accelerate the decarbonization of the economy.

The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity was awarded for the first time, in 2020 , to the young Swedish activist Greta Thunberg , who decided to distribute the amount to various environmental and humanitarian projects in the Global South.

Last year, the Prize was awarded to the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy – the largest global alliance for city climate leadership, comprising over 10,600 cities and local governments from 140 countries, including Portugal. The amount of the Gulbenkian Prize was used to support the Energy Transition and climate resilience in Africa, with large projects being financed in five cities in Senegal (supply of drinking water) and in one city in Cameroon (development of energy efficiency solutions) .

Azerbaijani press: Discovery Channel devotes footage to Azerbaijan’s liberated Aghdam city (VIDEO)

Garnik Zakarian
Politics Materials 1 July 2022 17:49


BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. Discovery Channel has devoted footage to Azerbaijan's liberated Aghdam city, Trend reports.

As the video noted, the once blossoming Aghdam has turned into a desolate ghost town as a result of the 30-year Armenian occupation.

The footage emphasized that no trace remained of the city's former appearance, where life was once in full swing.

"Arriving in the city, you can see only the ruins today," the author said.

However, the report outlined that after the victorious 44-day second Karabakh war, has resulted in the liberation of Aghdam after 30 years of Armenian occupation, Azerbaijan keeps contributing to the development and restoration of these territories.

"The city will be completely livened up in the near future," the footage stated.

PM Pashinyan discussed with Samvel Karapetyan the course of investment projects of "Tashir" Group of Companies

Garnik Zakarian

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 20:13, 1 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 1, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received Samvel Karapetyan, President of "Tashir" Group of Companies, founder of "Investors Club of Armenia", ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

At the meeting, the interlocutors referred to the steps of the Government of Armenia in the direction of economic development, the course of the investment programs implemented by the "Tashir" Group of Companies and the projects planned in the future.

Emphasis was placed on their effective implementation and ensuring continuity of programs.

Aliyev monitors “revanchist sentiments in Armenia”

Garnik Zakarian
Armenia –

Anadolu news agency reports that during the visit to the Kelbajar region, Ilham Aliyev stated that “if Yerevan continues the old tactic of dragging out dialogue with Azerbaijan, including on the issue of delimitation and demarcation of the border, then Armenia itself will eventually become the losing party.”

 

“Yerevan claimed that Azerbaijan would never be able to return its lands by force of arms. They hoped for the line of defense and engineering structures built during the 30 years of occupation. Besides, the terrain conditions were not on our side. But we destroyed this myth, demonstrating that willpower, the unity of the people and the authorities, as well as the patriotism of the military, is something that nothing can resist. Revanchists in Armenia must realize what they will have to face,” Aliyev said.

Resistance Movement’s action in front of National Security Service building is over

Garnik Zakarian
NEWS.am
Armenia – June 20 2022
Resistance Movement's action in front of National Security Service building is over
21:54, 20.06.2022

The action of the Resistance Movement at the building of the National Security Service has come to an end.

MP Aram Vardevanyan of the "Armenia" bloc said that the rally will be held on 24 June in France Square.

Resistance Movement participants gathered on France Square today, and marched to the offices of Civil Contract party, then to the police and National Security Service buildings.

The participants poured red paint near the office of the ruling party.

Earlier, Gegham Manukyan, a member of the National Assembly from the opposition, wrote about the action on his Facebook page.

According to him, there was another bloody incident involving representatives of the ruling party the day before. As a result, three people were killed and four were wounded.

"This is yet another criminal behavior of the current government. The perpetrators and those responsible for creating this atmosphere and permissiveness must leave as soon as possible. This bloody process must be stopped," the oppositionist said.