[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2983 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2983

     To promote long term stability in the Caucasus, deter renewed 
   aggression, and facilitate the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-
                           Karabagh conflict.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            November 9, 1997

  Mr. Sherman (for himself, Mr. Fox of Pennsylvania, Mr. Pallone, Mr. 
  Visclosky, Mr. Bonior, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Kennedy of Rhode Island, Mr. 
Rothman, Mr. Rogan, Mr. Weygand, Mr. Radanovich, Mr. Moran of Virginia, 
Mr. Kennedy of Massachusetts, and Mr. Markey) introduced the following 
 bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations, 
and in addition to the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, for 
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
     To promote long term stability in the Caucasus, deter renewed 
   aggression, and facilitate the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-
                           Karabagh conflict.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Caucasus Peace and Stability Act of 
1997''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) In 1988, the Government of Azerbaijan initiated a 
        campaign of armed aggression, deportations, pogroms, and 
        blockades against the population of Nagorno-Karabagh which had 
        exercised its right to self-determination.
            (2) After more than six years of armed conflict, Nagorno-
        Karabagh, Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed, in May of 1994, to 
        implement a cease-fire.
            (3) Despite the existence of this cease-fire since May of 
        1994, Azerbaijan has maintained its blockades of Armenia and 
        Nagorno-Karabagh, which has directly resulted in extreme 
        hardship, loss of life and economic devastation in both Armenia 
        and Nagorno-Karabagh.
            (4) Both Nagorno-Karabagh and Azerbaijan are participating 
        in the peace process organized by the Minsk Group of the 
        Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
            (5) The United States has been an active participant in the 
        OSCE peace negotiations and currently serves as co-chair of the 
        Minsk Group along with France and Russia.
            (6) Renewed aggression by Azerbaijan and a return to armed 
        hostilities will destabilize a region of major geopolitical 
        importance to the United States, threaten the independence of 
        the Caucasus states, and significantly hinder the region's 
        economic and political development.

SEC. 3. DECLARATIONS OF POLICY.

    The Congress declares that it is the policy of the United States--
            (1) to promote a negotiated settlement of the Nagorno-
        Karabagh conflict through active participation in the Minsk 
        Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in 
        Europe (OSCE);
            (2) to act as an impartial mediator, facilitating direct 
        talks between Nagorno-Karabagh and Azerbaijan, and to remain 
        neutral on the status and security issues being negotiated by 
        the parties to the conflict;
            (3) not to take any action that would jeopardize the 
        ongoing efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to reach a peaceful 
        solution to the conflict; and
            (4) to foster confidence-building measures and to help 
        create incentives for peace which will lead to a lasting and 
        equitable long-term settlement of the conflict.

SEC. 4. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.

    (a) Operation, Investment, or Other Trade in or With Azerbaijan.--A 
United States person may not, either directly or through another 
person, operate or invest in Azerbaijan or trade in goods or services 
from Azerbaijan if the Government of Azerbaijan is engaging in armed 
aggression or renewed use of force against Armenia or Nagorno-Karabagh.
    (b) Commercial Military or Dual-Use Sales.--A license may not be 
issued under section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778) 
for the export to Azerbaijan of any defense or dual-use article, 
service, or other technology if the Government of Azerbaijan is 
engaging in armed aggression or renewed use of force against Armenia or 
Nagorno-Karabagh.
    (c) Multilateral Assistance.--The President shall instruct the 
United States Executive Director of each international financial 
institution to which the United States is a member to use the voice and 
vote of the United States to oppose any loan or other utilization of 
the funds of the respective institutions to or from Azerbaijan if the 
Government of Azerbaijan is engaging in armed aggression or renewed use 
of force against Armenia or Nagorno-Karabagh.
    (d) Waiver.--The President may waive any requirement under 
subsections (a) through (c) on a case-by-case basis beginning not less 
than 30 days after the date on which the President determines and 
reports to the Congress that it is important to the national interest 
of the United States to do so.

SEC. 5. DEFINITION.

    As used in this Act, the term ``United States person'' means--
            (1) a citizen or permanent resident of the United States;
            (2) a corporation, partnership, or association organized 
        under the laws of the United States or having its principle 
        base in the United States; and
            (3) a corporation, partnership, or association in which at 
        least a 25 percent interest is owned or otherwise controlled by 
        a natural person, corporation, partnership, or association that 
        qualifies as a United States person under paragraph (1) or (2).
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