[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         THE PLIGHT OF ARMENIA

                                 ______


                   HON. MARJORIE MARGOLIES-MEZVINSKY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 1994

  Ms. MARGOLIES-MEZVINSKY. Mr. Speaker, the harsh Caucasus mountains in 
Armenia offer a geographical metaphor for the rugged character of 
Armenian citizens and the historical hardships they have endured. The 
Ottoman and Persian Empire's occupation of Armenia set an unfortunate 
precedent of foreign encroachment for hundreds of years to come.
  Sadly, modern times have afforded Armenia little rest. In the early 
part of this century, Armenians residing in Ottoman controlled Armenia 
were forced into labor camps, pressed into military service, violently 
deported, and killed. Armenians recognize April 24, as the beginning of 
this travesty, and I would like to acknowledge the horrible events that 
occurred for the 3 years following this date as a tragedy for all 
humanity.
  Now, landlocked Armenia is caught in the strangle hold of Turkey's 
and Azerbaijan's blockades. In addition, the Armenia-Azerbaijan 
conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast is draining 
Armenia of its precariously limited resources. What can the United 
States do to prevent Armenia from slipping into yet another horrible 
epoch?
  I have decided to cosponsor two proposals in the house which I feel 
represent some of the steps needed to aid Armenia, and bring peace to 
this area of the transcaucus region.
  First, the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, (H.R. 4142) introduced by 
Representative Lehman would prohibit foreign assistance to countries 
that restrict the transport of American humanitarian assistance. I have 
long been a supporter of a fiscally responsible government. Blockades, 
such as the one Turkey is imposing, drive our costs of delivering aid 
up, and reciprocally reduce the effectiveness of any money we 
appropriate for humanitarian purposes. H.R. 4142 would cut off aid to 
countries like Turkey (barring presidential objections for national 
interests or natural disasters), offering them an incentive to drop 
their costly blockades.
  Second, H.R. 86 reaffirms the United States desire to continue 
humanitarian assistance to Armenia. In addition, this resolution 
expresses the sense that Congress would like to see a peaceful and 
lasting resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict negotiated through 
the United Nations and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in 
Europe.
  I hope that my support for these two measures will bring a deserved 
and enduring peace to the people of Armenia and the transcaucas region. 
I prey that this issue may be resolved without further bloodshed and 
suffering.

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