Politics 12:56 06/08/2019 Armenia

89 U.S. congressmen join fight against Trump attempt to de-fund Artsakh aid

The U.S. House of Representatives sent a swift and powerful rebuke to the Trump Administration’s efforts to cut U.S. aid for Artsakh de-mining efforts, with 89 Members of Congress – many chairing key House committees – co-signing a letter, led by senior House Foreign Affairs Committee member Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Congressman TJ Cox (D-CA), defending this life-saving program, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The Sherman-Cox letter, an initiative supported by the ANCA, encourages USAID Administrator Mark Green to reverse course and continue U.S. funding for the Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) de-mining program.

Administrator Green testified before the Foreign Affairs Committee on April 9 of this year that USAID was committed to completing the clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnances within the traditional boundaries of Nagorno Karabakh.

“Within a week, during a Congressional recess, eighty-nine U.S. Representatives from 24 states – including 10 full Committee chairs – joined with the ANCA in openly challenging the Trump Administration’s misguided attempt to end U.S. aid to Artsakh – a powerful response that speaks volumes about the scope and depth of American support for this life-saving program,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We thank Representatives Sherman and Cox for leading this effort on the House side, are actively supporting the efforts of Senator Menendez on the Senate side, and will continue our work to make Artsakh mine-free and expand the U.S. aid program to include vital rehabilitation services,” continued Hamparian.

Members of Congress received thousands of letters and calls from constituents through the ANCA Rapid Responder system and March to Justice platforms in support of continued aid to Artsakh, with the ANCA Leo Sarkisian and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan summer fellows meeting with hundreds of Capitol Hill staffers in support of the initiative .

“The USAID-funded demining program in Artsakh, implemented by the well-respected HALO Trust, serves as a major American investment in the peace and stability of a strategically important region,” explained Congressman Sherman. “The HALO Trust has cleared thousands of mines to date, saving countless lives. Whether or not USAID previously expected HALO Trust to complete the clearance of mines in Artsakh by September 2019, Administrator Green seemed clear in stating to me on the record in April that USAID will work to completely clear Artsakh of landmines and unexploded ordnances. Thus, I hope USAID to follow through on its commitment and provide additional funding to HALO Trust as needed to complete this critically important project. I am glad to be joined by more than 80 of my colleagues in sending a follow-up letter to Administrator Green to urge USAID to reconsider its decision to stop funding for humanitarian landmine clearance in Artsakh at the end of this year.”

Rep. TJ Cox concurred, noting, “I’m deeply troubled by the recent decision that USAID had made to halt funding for humanitarian landmine clearance in Artsakh. This move would leave the people of the region with no hope, and fear of death or injury from landmines, with no local capacity in place to address the ongoing threat. USAID must follow through on its commitment to provide additional funding to The HALO Trust to complete this vital project, as promised by Administrator Green. I will continue working with my bipartisan colleagues in Congress, the Armenian National Committee of America, and The HALO Trust to secure federal funding, which will allow us to achieve a mine-free Artsakh.”

Chris Whatley, Executive Director HALO USA explained, “With thousands of landmines still left in the ground, and families living daily in the shadow of death or devastating injury, this is no time for the United States to back away from its historic commitment to the people of Nagorno Karabakh.” HALO Trust has been de-mining in Artsakh for close to 20 years.

Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) is circulating a similar letter to Senate colleagues in support of continued U.S. funding for Artsakh de-mining.



Source Panorama.am
Share |

Related news

Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Newsfeed

17:13
Public figure accuses Armenian authorities of attempting to intimidate him
Public figure Hovhannes Avetisyan, an expert in public finance management, accused the Armenian authorities of repression and crackdown on their...
16:34
Iran's supreme leader threatens Israel and US with 'crushing response'
Iran’s supreme leader on Saturday threatened Israel and the U.S. with “a crushing response” over attacks on Iran and its...
16:15
Armenia offers condolences to Serbia over tragic collapse at railway station
Armenia has extended condolences to Serbia following the tragic collapse at a railway station, which killed at least 14 people and...
16:00
Armenian lifter Alexander Lazaryan crowned junior European champion
Armenian weightlifter Alexander Lazaryan bagged a gold medal at the European Junior and U23 Championships being held in Raszyn, Poland, from...
15:36
Spiritual leaders urged to raise awareness on injustice against Artsakh Armenians ahead of COP29
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Holy See of Cilicia, His Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI of the Armenian Catholic...
15:00
Showers possible in Yerevan on Sunday
Clear weather is expected in Armenia on Saturday and later next week. Rain is forecast for some parts of the country on Sunday and Monday,...
14:35
Catholicos Aram I, Ocampo discuss issues related to Artsakh
Luis Moreno Ocampo, the first prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), on Friday contacted His Holiness Catholicos Aram I by...
13:53
Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan reportedly targeted for UFC 311 on January 18
Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan rematch is the only fight that makes sense in the lightweight division at the moment. The champ is running...
13:27
Armenian Genocide denial risks new tragedies, MP warns
Opposition lawmaker Tigran Abrahamyan blasted Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan’s latest genocide remarks as dangerous for Armenia’s...
12:46
Urgent action needed to safeguard integrity of COP29 as fossil fuel influence looms large in Baku, report warns
We are days away from the start of COP29 in Azerbaijan. After previous hosts Egypt and the UAE, many had hoped for a more promising (and less...
12:30
Armenian church marks Feast of All Saints
The Armenian Apostolic Church on Saturday celebrates the Feast of All Saints, also called All Saints' Day. The day...
12:01
Paris Masters: Khachanov through to semi-finals
Russian-Armenian Karen Khachanov won against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, the No 8 seed, 6-2, 6-3 to move into the last four of Paris Masters at...
11:30
Analysis: Aliyev's daughters reportedly control business empire worth over $13 billion
Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and director of policy analysis at the Middle East...
11:00
Armenia's Milena Khachatryan wins silver at U23 European Championships
Armenian weightlifter Milena Khachatryan grabbed a silver medal at the European Junior and U23 Championships being held in Raszyn, Poland, from...
17:23
Russia urged to press for release of Armenian prisoners held by Baku
Opposition MP Artsvik Minasyan urged Russia to press for the release of Armenian prisoners, including Artsakh’s military and political...
16:45
Opposition MP: Armenian leadership 'legitimizes' Azeri crimes
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) staged a protest outside the UN office in Yerevan on Friday, demanding immediate action to secure...
16:04
Temperatures to drop in Armenia from Sunday
Clear weather is expected in Armenia on Friday, Saturday and later next week. Rain and snow are forecast for some parts of the country on...
15:36
FC Urartu joins calls for Armenian football chief's resignation
FC Urartu has joined the Armenian national team and Premier League fan movements and clubs in demanding the resignation of the current...
15:21
Protesters outside UN office demand release of Armenian prisoners in Baku
Protesters gathered outside the UN office in Yerevan on Friday to demand the immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war and...
14:45
'Brat' is Collins Dictionary's word of the year
Collins Dictionary has declared “brat” – the album title that became a summer-living ideal – its 2024 word of the...
14:21
Armenian Genocide Museum head blasts Mirzoyan's remarks
Historian Hayk Demoyan, Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in Yerevan, lambasted Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan for...
13:36
World Youth Chess Championships underway in Brazil
The FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2024 are being held in Florianopolis, Brazil, from October 29 to November 9. After the third round,...
13:04
Russia says it is unhappy with Turkey's arms supplies to Ukraine
Russia is "surprised" that Turkey continues to supply Ukraine with weapons while trying to act as a mediator in the conflict between...
12:36
Spain floods death toll rises to 158
At least 158 people have died in Spain's worst flooding disaster in generations as rescuers battle odds to find survivors, BBC News...
12:17
Yerevan subway overcrowded in morning rush hour
The Yerevan Metro was overcrowded on Friday morning as passengers struggled to reach work and classes from the Garegin Nzhdeh station. The...
11:35
Armenia to host UN Biodiversity Conference in 2026
Armenia will host the next UN Biodiversity Conference of the Parties in 2026, the Ministry of Envionment reported. "In 2026,...
11:16
Lifter Emma Poghosyan crowned junior European champion
Armenian weightlifter Emma Poghosyan has clinched a gold medal at the European Junior and U23 Championships being held in Raszyn, Poland,...
11:01
Paris Masters: Khachanov edges out Popyrin to move into quarter-finals
Karen Khachanov moved into the quarter-finals of Paris Masters by defeating Australian Alexei Popyrin 7-6 (5), 6-4 at the Accor...
17:12
Biden bites baby dressed as chicken at Halloween event
U.S. President Joe Biden playfully bit a stable of adorable, dressed-up tots during a Halloween celebration at the White House on...
16:57
Opposition factions seek parliament debate on Armenian prisoners
The opposition Hayastan and Pativ Unem factions have initiated an emergency parliament debate on a draft statement calling for the release of...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}