[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 72 (Friday, June 10, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 10, 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. Madam President, today I rise to call attention to the 
continuing conflict among Armenians and Azeris over the Nagorno-
Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in Central Asia. This is not the first 
time I have brought this issue to the Senate floor. I repeatedly have 
urged my colleagues, and the current, past, and present 
administrations, to help ease the suffering in Armenia. Yet, the 
fighting continues.
  Together, with several of my colleagues, I recently signed a letter 
to President Clinton imploring him to continue efforts to end the 
fighting in the Transcaucus region of Central Asia. In this letter, we 
urged the President to remain vigilant in providing human aid and 
technical assistance to help improve living conditions for war-ravaged 
Armenians.
  After a long winter, wrought with conflict and resource depletion, 
Armenians have a pressing need for foreign assistance if they are to 
move forward in their fight for democratic and economic reforms.
  Since 1988, Armenians and Azeris have battled violently for control 
of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh have 
fought for independence from the Azeris, who in turn have defended the 
territorial integrity of the region. The fighting rages on as the two 
ethnic factions remain unable to reach agreement over the now war-torn 
Nagorno-Karabakh enclave.
  Our world has remained unstable and troubled even as animosities 
among the superpowers has dissipated. Citizens in the Transcaucus 
region continue to search for peace. We must do all we can to help them 
achieve this goal.
  Madam President, I remain committed to helping the Armenians and 
Azeris find lasting peace. Members of the Congress, along with the 
President, must not ignore the suffering and longstanding fighting in 
Azerbaijan. We must pledge our humanitarian support and encourage an 
end to the bloodshed.
  Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Mathews). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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