2 Million Dollar Aid to Artsakh: U.S. Senate Proposal

The United States Senate Appropriations Committee published its budget proposals for the fiscal year 2022 on October 18, which includes a proposal for $2 million in aid to Artsakh. This information was reported by the Armenian Assembly of America.

“The Committee is proposing up to $2,000,000 for humanitarian demining and clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in areas affected by the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, pending consultations with the appropriations committees,” the statement read.

According to the source, the report also called for “humanitarian assistance” to those who have been “displaced as a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.”

Additionally, the Committee expressed “concern over the prolonged conflict” and requested that “the Secretary consult with the appropriations committees before providing assistance under Article IV of the Act to Armenia and Azerbaijan.”

“The bill reaffirms the provisions of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, adopted in 1992, when Congress took a principled stance against Azerbaijan’s aggression towards the Armenian people. Section 907 states that U.S. financial assistance “may not be provided to the Government of Azerbaijan until the President has determined and certified to Congress that the Government of Azerbaijan is taking demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.” In the aftermath of the terrorism that occurred on American soil on September 11, 2001, a national security waiver was added to Section 907. The waiver is in effect as long as it “does not undermine or impede the ongoing efforts of peaceful negotiation between Armenia and Azerbaijan or is not utilized for offensive purposes against Armenia,” the Armenian Assembly noted, adding that the Senate Committee’s action follows the House Appropriations Committee's proposal to allocate $50 million for Armenia and $2 million for Artsakh in relation to the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations for the fiscal year 2022.

“The Assembly welcomes the continued support of the U.S. for the Armenian people. As the House and Senate finalize the appropriations bills, we urge Congress to provide robust funding for both Armenia and Artsakh,” said Mariam Khaloyan, Director of Congressional Relations at the Assembly.