[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 130 (Friday, September 16, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          ATTENTION TO ARMENIA

                                 ______


                           HON. NEWT GINGRICH

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 16, 1994

  Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage all of my 
colleagues to learn more about the issues facing Armenia and cosponsor 
House Concurrent Resolution 246, which calls upon the Republic of 
Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh to end hostilities and begin peace 
negotiations under the framework already established by the Commission 
on Security and Cooperation in Europe. This resolution also calls upon 
the President to take an active role in promoting peace and monitoring 
human rights in the region.
  The collapse of the Soviet Union has left the Caucasus region in 
turmoil. While Armenia has begun the process of making the long and 
hard transition to democracy and a free market economy, I believe that 
we should encourage and assist the people of Armenia in creating a 
better life for themselves as well as actively working to bring peace 
to this troubled region of the world.
                                                 Armenian National


                                         Committee of America,

                                                   Washington, DC.
     To: Krister Holladay, Rep. Gingrich.
     From: Aram Hamparian.
     Re: Armenian American Issues.
     Date: June 14, 1994.
       This note is to follow up on our recent meeting regarding 
     issues of concern to the Armenian American community. As we 
     discussed, the ANCA would like to work with the Congressman 
     on a range of issues. Among these are two pieces of 
     legislation, H.R. 4142, and H. Con. Res. 247, which we would 
     like the Congressman to consider cosponsoring.
       Additionally, a forceful statement on Armenian issues would 
     be well received within the Armenian American community, 
     particularly by independents and Republicans who are already 
     disappointed with the Clinton Administration. The statement 
     would also energize Armenian Republicans who are looking for 
     strong national leadership in foreign affairs. The two key 
     elements we would like to see addressed in a statement are:
       (1) Clinton's weak statement on the Armenian Genocide, and 
     advocacy for the commemoration of next year's 80th 
     anniversary by both the President and Congress.
       (2) The failure of U.S. policy toward Nagorno Karabagh and 
     throughout the NIS represents an open invitation to Russia to 
     reclaim its former empire. Of particular concern is the 
     Administration's effort to repeal section 907 of the Freedom 
     Support Act passed by Congress in 1992.
       Below are some suggested talking points for a statement by 
     the Congressman.

                             Talking Points


                                General

       In drawing back from the world, the Administration has 
     abdicated America's role as the leader of the free world. The 
     vacuum left by this lack of leadership is being filled in the 
     Caucasus by a reassertive Russia, ready to reclaim its 
     control over its former empire.
       Armenian Americans, like so many ethnic groups who look to 
     the President to provide leadership internationally, are 
     deeply disappointed with President Clinton's foreign policy.
       The lack of American leadership has been sorely felt by the 
     Armenian people, who are faced with the challenge of making 
     the difficult transition to democracy and a free market 
     economy in the face of debilitating Turkish and Azerbaijani 
     blockades, and Azerbaijan's six year war against the Republic 
     of Nagorno Karabagh.


             the failure of u.s. resolve: Nagorno Karabagh

       The President's weak and indencesive policy toward Nagorno 
     Karabagh represents a failure of U.S. foreign policy and an 
     invitation to Russian dominance in the Caucasus.
       The emergence of the Newly Independent States in the wake 
     of the Soviet Union, and in the shadow of Russia, requires an 
     assertive American foreign policy.
       The Administration's misguided efforts to repeal the ban on 
     aid to Azerbaijan only encourages continued Azeri aggression. 
     This is yet another example of Clinton's policy of failure 
     through appeasement.
       The State Department seems content to defend the very 
     borders created by Stalin which we condemned for decades.
       Our influence, which once rested on our moral authority as 
     the leader of the free world, has been replaced by the 
     growing skepticism about America's will to advance its 
     interests abroad.
       The Administration has consistently refused to address the 
     legitimate right to self-determination of the many peoples 
     who were displaced and oppressed under the Soviet system. 
     Until and unless these issues are addressed, we will witness 
     continued instability throughout the territory of the former 
     Soviet Union.
       The Administration's failure to become engaged in the 
     search for peace in the Caucasus, either directly or through 
     the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, has 
     left a vacuum which is being filled by Russia.


      the failure of u.s. moral leadership; the armenian genocide

       Congressman Gingrich supported the Armenian Genocide 
     resolution, H.J. Res. 132, the last time it was introduced in 
     the House in 1987.
       President Reagan said in 1981 that ``Like the genocide of 
     the Armenians before it, and genocide of the Cambodians which 
     followed it--and like too many other such persecutions of too 
     many other people--the lesson of the holocaust must never be 
     forgotten.''
       Our alliance with Turkey can survive acknowledging the 
     truth about the Armenian Genocide. Turkey's value as an ally 
     should not require us to rewrite the history of the Armenian 
     people.
       The President's remarks, as we have seen too often, have 
     fallen far short of the expectations he set during his 
     campaign. In 1992, when running for office, he spoke clearly 
     about the Genocide of the Armenians. In April of 1993 he 
     remained silent on the subject. This April he did issue a 
     statement but he failed to use the word ``Genocide.''
       The Administration's failure to honor the victims of the 
     Genocide has been deeply disappointing to the Armenian 
     American community.
       For your reference, listed below are brief descriptions of 
     several recent Congressional initiatives of concern to 
     Armenian Americans.


                      the ban on aid to azerbaijan

       The ban on aid to Azerbaijan was enacted by Congress in 
     October of 1992 as part of the Freedom Support Act. The 
     restriction will remain in effect until Azerbaijan has taken 
     demonstrable steps toward ending its aggression and lifting 
     its blockade against Armenian and Nagorno Karabagh. The 
     Clinton Administration has consistently sought to repeal the 
     ban. Many members of Congress, including key members of the 
     Foreign Affairs Committee, have voiced their continued 
     support of the ban.


                               h. res. 86

       A resolution, introduced by Rep. Bonior in February of 
     1993, which outlines a six-point plan for peace in the 
     Caucasus. The bill, which has 130 cosponsors, calls for 
     strict enforcement of the ban on aid to Azerbaijan.


                            h. con. res. 247

       A bill, introduced in 1994 by Rep. Bilbray, which calls for 
     an immediate CSCE cease fire and lifting of blockades in the 
     Nagorno Karabagh conflict.


                               h.r. 4142

       A bill which would require that recipients of U.S. aid not 
     obstruct the transportation of humanitarian aid to other 
     needy populations. The legislation does not mention any 
     nation by name. It would, however, address Turkey's blockade 
     of U.S. aid to Armenia.


                         the armenian genocide

       This past April, over 100 members of Congress participated 
     in the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. Next year, the 
     80th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, a bill will be 
     introduced to mark April 24th as a day of remembrance for the 
     victims of the Genocide.


                  the 25 percent cut in aid to turkey

       The Turkish government's decision to obstruct the 
     transportation of U.S. humanitarian aid to Armenia is a cause 
     of considerable concern to Armenian Americans. The ANCA 
     worked to support this 25 percent cut along with a number of 
     other groups concerned about U.S. aid policy toward Turkey.
                                  ____

                                                 Armenian National


                                         Committee of America,

                                     Washington, DC, May 27, 1994.
     Hon. Newt Gingrich,
     U.S. House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Gingrich: I am writing to urge you to 
     cosponsor H. Con. Res. 247, introduced by Rep. James Bilbray, 
     which calls for an end to hostilities and a lifting of 
     blockades in the Nagorno Karabagh conflict.
       In addition to encouraging the establishment of a cease-
     fire and an end to the blockades, this legislation calls for 
     each of the parties to the conflict to participate in peace 
     negotiations under the framework of the Conference on 
     Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). H. Con. Res. 247 
     also urges President Clinton to actively promote peace in the 
     region.
       As I am sure you are aware, Armenians throughout the United 
     States are deeply concerned about the continued suffering of 
     their countrymen in Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. They look 
     to their representatives in Congress to support efforts, such 
     as this legislation, to bring this conflict to a peaceful and 
     equitable settlement.
       As always, the ANCA will publicize your support for this 
     bill through community newspapers, Congressional Report 
     Cards, election guides, and direct mail.
       To cosponsor this bill, please contact Brent Heberlee in 
     Rep. Bilbray's office at 225-5965.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                   Aram Hamparian,
                                               Executive Director.
                                  ____


             103d Cong. Status Profile for H. Con. Res. 247

       Sponsor: Bilbray.
       Date introduced: May 11, 1994.
       House committee: Foreign Affairs.
       Official title: A concurrent resolution expressing the 
     sense of the Congress with respect to the Nagorno Karabagh 
     conflict.
       Co-sponsors: 70 current cosponsors.
       May 11, 94: Referred to House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
       May 23, 94: Referred to Subcommittee on Europe and the 
     Middle East.
       Co-sponsors: 70 current cosponsors.
       As introduced: Lehman, Torres, Bonior, Hoyer.
       Jun 8, 94: Pallone, Eshoo, Fingerhut, Hoke, Moorhead, 
     Kennedy, Ackerman, Lowey, Frank (MA).
       Jun 22, 94: McNulty, Visclosky, Brown (OH), Roukema, 
     Sensenbrenner, Blute, Andrews (NJ), Dellums, Traficant, 
     Levin, Costello, Machtley, Doolittle, Oberstar, Gejdenson, 
     Morella, Gilman.
       Jun 29, 94: Levy, Dooley, Woolsey, Bateman, Waxman, 
     Slaughter, Barca.
       Jul 12, 94: Meehan, McKeon, King, Calvert, Shays, Kyl.
       Jul 19, 94: Brown (CA), Dingell, Cardin, Wynn, Maloney, 
     Franks (NJ), Norton, Manton, Lantos.
       Jul 27, 94: Clay, Gallegly, Bliley, Price (NC), Owens, 
     Thurman, Byrne, Baker (CA), Shepherd.
       Aug. 11, 94: Dixon, Johnson (CT), Bentley, Solomon, Rush, 
     Roybal-Allard, Markey, Huffington, Pelosi.
       Bill Digest: May 11, 94: Calls on: (1) the Republic of 
     Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabagh to cease all hostilities and 
     begin peace negotiations under the framework established by 
     the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe; (2) the 
     parties to the conflict to simultaneously lift all blockades 
     in the region; and (3) the President to take an active role 
     in promoting peace and in monitoring the human rights 
     situation in the region.
                                  ____

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                                   August 5, 1994.
     Mr. Haley Barbour,
     Chairman, Republican National Committee, Washington, DC.
       Dear Haley: Earlier this year, I had a very good meeting 
     with Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian 
     National Committee of America.
       Aram is very interested in establishing a close working 
     relationship with the Republican National Committee as well 
     as the National Republican Congressional Committee.
       I understand that Aram may be contacting your office in the 
     near future, and, if your schedule allows, I hope that you 
     will take some time to meet with Aram and some of the members 
     of the Armenian National Committee.
       Keep up the good work!
           Sincerely,
                                                    Newt Gingrich,
                                                  Republican Whip.