Day: April 26, 2024

In the strongest U.S. response yet to developments surrounding the Georgian Dream’s reintroduction of the Foreign Agents law re-introduced by the Georgian Dream in the Parliament, U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chair of the Europe and Regional Security Cooperation Subcommittee, joined by 12 of their colleagues wrote a bi-partisan letter to the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on April 26 expressing “profound concern” about the decision to re-table the law and warning him that if the legislation is passed the Senators “will be compelled to encourage a shift in U.S. policy toward Georgia.”

The undersigned senators say that the shift could entail “sanctions on those responsible for undermining Georgia’s democratic development or inhibiting its Euro-Atlantic trajectory, reconsideration of direct U.S. financial assistance and the expansion of visa bans to the United States.”

Noting that the law targets civil society, “the lifeblood of Georgian democracy” and “appears directed at assistance from the United States and Europe, which have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to support Georgia’s sovereignty and democratic transition”, the senators stress that it also contradicts the wishes of the Georgian people, whose huge majority consistently support the EU membership.

The undersigned Senators stress that the adoption of the legislation “could send a powerful message to the Georgian people that its government no longer reflects their wishes, is actively undermining its EU membership agenda, and refuses to uphold its constitution.” As a result, the Senators warn “this legislation would cast Georgia’s strongest partners, the United States and European Union, as malign actors.” They further state that “Such a shift would require U.S. policy toward Georgia to change and reflect the new state of Georgia’s politics.”

The Senators pledge “ never abandon the aspirations of the Georgian people who have made their voices heard, loud and clear, in support of a democratic and European future” while also noting that “the relationship between the U.S. and Georgia is based on mutual interests and shared values.” Noting that “the United States stands eager and ready to develop deeper ties that further support  Georgia’s economic development and Western integration,” the letter concludes that “this cannot continue until this legislation is withdrawn.”

Joining Risch and Shaheen are U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M).

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SACRAMENTO—The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region board, staff, chapters, and advocates spearheaded Armenian-American advocacy efforts on April 22 during Capitol Advocacy Day, an event organized by the Armenian Legislative Caucus in Sacramento, in commemoration of the 109th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. ANCA Western Region was joined by the Armenian Assembly of America – Western Region and Southern California Armenian Democrats and their advocates.

During the Capitol Advocacy Day, Assemblymember Laura Friedman and Senator Scott Wilk respectively introduced resolutions HR-82 and SR-83 in the California State Legislature reaffirming California’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923 and calling upon the Federal Government to ensure accountability for Azerbaijan’s genocidal actions in Artsakh and sovereign Armenia. During the Assembly and Senate sessions, Assemblymembers Zbur, Ramos, Rivas, Alanis, Patterson, and Carrillo spoke in favor of HR-82, while Senators Durazo, Min, Archuleta, Portantino, and Senate President Pro Tempore McGuire spoke in support of SR-83 before both resolutions were unanimously passed. Local Homenetmen Lori Scouts administered the flag ceremony while prayers were offered by Armenian clergy.

ANCA-WR Board and Staff meeting with California Governor Gavin Newsom in Sacramento to discuss urgent Armenian-American policy priorities

“This week’s advocacy efforts in Sacramento were paramount, as it was the first Armenian Advocacy Day held since Azerbaijan’s genocidal blockade, invasion and ethnic cleansing of Artsakh in late September 2023,” said Oshin Harootoonian, Chair of the ANCA Western Region Board of Directors. “With the continued threat of Azerbaijan and Turkey against the sovereign territories of the Republic of Armenia, ANCA Western Region will continue to mobilize its chapters and advocates to increase the pressure on local, state, and federal officials to hold Azerbaijan and Turkey accountable for all the crimes they have committed against the Armenian nation, especially since 2020.”

Armenian Assembly of America Western Region Executive Director David Ojakian (second from left), ANCA-WR Director of Coalitions and Community Development Edward Barsoumian (back row, center left), and Armenian community and youth advocates posing with a representative of Senator Josh Newman

ANCA Western Region advocates highlighted four key active legislations during their meetings in Sacramento. The four CA legislations supported by ANCA WR are: SJR-11, introduced by Sen. Bob Archuleta, which calls upon the Federal Government to decisively act to secure the unconditional release and safe return of all Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) and hostages illegally detained by Azerbaijan; SB-1277, introduced by Sen. Henry Stern, which seeks to enhance Genocide and Holocaust education within California’s educational system; SB-1041, introduced by Sen. Anthony Portantino, which seeks to facilitate the integration of Armenian-trained doctors into the California healthcare system, enhancing medical services and cultural competence; and AB 2763, introduced by Asm. Bill Essayli, which seeks to improve demographic reporting for Middle Eastern and North African communities and ensure more accurate and comprehensive data collection through the inclusion of an Armenian Checkbox on the CA Census Questionnaire.

From right: ANCA Silicon Valley Representative Ani Yeni-Komshian, ANCA-WR Government Affairs Director Ruben Karapetian, ANCA-WR Board Member Mato Senekeremian, Senator Aisha Wahab, and community advocates Roxane and Ara Makasjian. Roxane Makasjian is also a member of the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education

ANCA Western Region met with California Governor Gavin Newsom to advocate in favor of all active California legislation of critical importance to the Armenian-American community, while also sounding the alarm on the continuation of attacks on Armenian community institutions such as schools, churches, and cemeteries across California, most recently in Fresno. ANCA Western Region requested tangible action to be taken by all levels of California law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of the Armenian-American community.

During the Capitol Advocacy Day, ANCA Western Region advocates also held several policy meetings with California State legislators and their senior staff, including with the offices of State Senators Tom Umberg, Aisha Wahab, Josh Newman, and Anthony Portantino.

ANCA-WR Board and Staff meeting with California Governor Gavin Newsom in Sacramento to discuss urgent Armenian-American policy priorities

ANCA Western Region advocates who participated in the Capitol Advocacy Day on April 22, 2024 included, Oshin Harootoonian, Lina Davidian, Aram Sarkissian, Ayk Dikijian, Lenna Hovanessian, Matt Senekeremian, Edward Barsoumian, Ruben Karapetian, Ani Yenikomshian, Haig Baghdassarian, Ara Makasdjian, Roxanne Makasdjian, Sophia Armen, and Suzie Abajian.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

NPR News: 04-26-2024 4PM EDT

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