Congressional Letter Demands Sanctions on Azerbaijan and Support for Artsakh
A powerfully worded Congressional letter to President Joe Biden, spearheaded by Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), called for decisive U.S. action in response to Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh, a bipartisan reaffirmation of demands to stop U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan and restart humanitarian assistance to the Armenians of Artsakh, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
“Armenian Americans from Congressman Schiff’s district join our community and coalition partners across all the House districts represented by the signatories of this letter in sharing our appreciation for their principled stand against Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “The Biden Administration needs to show leadership – immediately halting all U.S. arms and aid to Azerbaijan and launching a robust emergency humanitarian aid package for Artsakh.”
The letter, sent to the White House earlier today, noted that Azerbaijan’s blockade “is only the most recent example of Azerbaijan’s belligerence, which has followed a well-documented pattern of abuse against the Armenian population of Artsakh, motivated by the bombastic rhetoric of the Aliyev regime.” The signatories closed by urging “the Administration to use all tools at its disposal to ensure the safety of the people of Artsakh, now and in the future, including cessation of financial support to Azerbaijan and imposition of sanctions. We cannot allow Azerbaijan’s policy of aggression and intimidation to continue.”
Joining Rep. Schiff in cosigning the letter to President Biden are fellow Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Jackie Speier (D-CA), and David Valadao (R-CA), as well as Representatives Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Judy Chu (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Katherine Clark (D-MA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), James Langevin (D-RI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Susie Lee (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), James McGovern (D-MA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Dina Titus (D-NV), and Susan Wild (D-PA).
The full text of the letter is provided below. The signed letter is available at:
https://anca.org/assets/pdf/121622_Schiff_ArtsakhBlockade.pdf
The ANCA has launched a nationwide grassroots campaign urging U.S. legislators to condemn Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh, immediately send U.S. humanitarian aid to Artsakh and to sanction Azerbaijan for its ongoing aggression against Artsakh and Armenia, beginning with cutting all military aid to the repressive Aliyev regime. To participate, visit anca.org/blockade.