[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 70 (Wednesday, June 8, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  PEACE IN CENTRAL ASIA: PLEDGING TO END CONFLICT AMONG ARMENIANS AND 
                                 AZERIS

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, today I call attention to the continuing 
conflict between Armenians and Azeris over the Nagorno/Karabakh region 
in central Asia. This is not the first time I have brought this issue 
to the U.S. Senate floor. I repeatedly have urged my colleagues and the 
current and past Presidents to help ease suffering in Armenia. Yet, the 
fighting continues.
  Together with several of my colleagues, I recently sent a letter to 
President Clinton imploring him to continue efforts to end the fighting 
in the Transcaucasia region of central Asia. In this letter, we urged 
the President to remain vigilant in providing humanitarian aid and 
technical assistance to help improve living conditions for war-ravaged 
Armenians. After a long winter of conflict and resource-depletion, 
Armenians have a pressing need for assistance if they are to move 
forward in their struggle for democratic and economic reforms.
  Since 1988, Armenians and Azeris have battled violently for control 
of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The majority Armenians of Nagorno-
Karabakh have fought for independence from the minority Azeris who, in 
turn, have battled to retain control of that region. The fighting rages 
on as these two ethnic factions remain unable to reach agreement over 
Nagorno-Karabakh.
  Even as animosities among the superpowers have dissipated, our world 
remains unstable and troubled. Citizens in the Transcaucais region are 
praying for peace. We should do all we can to help them achieve this 
goal.
  Mr. President, I remain committed to helping the Armenians find 
lasting peace. Members of Congress and the President must not ignore 
the suffering of these people. We must pledge our humanitarian support 
and help achieve an end to the bloodshed.

                          ____________________