S.J.RES.178 To express United States support for the aspirations of the people of Nagorno-Karabagh for a peaceful and fair settlement to the dispute

Posted: November 14, 2015

SJ 178 RFH

101st CONGRESS1st Session
S. J. RES. 178
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 19, 1989

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

JOINT RESOLUTION

To express United States support for the aspirations of the people of Nagorno-Karabagh for a peaceful and fair settlement to the dispute.

Whereas the people of the United States have strong historical and cultural ties with the people of Armenia;

Whereas the 80 percent Armenian majority in the region of Nagorno-Karabagh has continually expressed its desire for self-determination and freedom;

Whereas the current status of the region of Nagorno-Karabagh is a matter of concern and contention for the people of the Armenian and Azerbaijani Soviet Republics;

Whereas the Soviet Government has termed the killings of Armenians on February 28-29, 1988, in Sumgait, Azerbaijan, `pogroms’;

Whereas continued discrimination against Karabagh Armenians and the uncertainty about Nagorno-Karabagh have led to massive demonstrations and to unrest that is continuing to this day in this area;

Whereas the people and government of the Soviet Union initially responded to the outbreak of violence in Nagorno-Karabagh with the positive step of creating an interim Special Administrative Committee to stabilize the situation;

Whereas the Administrative Committee has proven ineffective because its mission has been undermined by a number of factors, including organized violence against Armenians, Jews, and other ethnic groups, and blockades of Nagorno-Karabagh, Armenia, and Georgia;

Whereas the three month blockade, theft and damage of goods in transit to Armenia have crippled the work of Armenians, Soviets, Americans, and the entire international community in rebuilding after the tragic December 7, 1988 earthquake in Armenia;

Whereas the Government and people of the United States strengthened their commitment to Armenia by assisting in the immediate relief effort and the overall reconstruction of those areas affected by the earthquake;

Whereas the United States maintains its resolve to assist the Armenians as they rebuild from the earthquake; and

Whereas the United States supports the fundamental rights and the aspirations of the people of Nagorno-Karabagh for a peaceful and fair settlement to the dispute over Nagorno-Karabagh: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

That it is the sense of the Congress that the United States should–

(1) continue to support and encourage the reconstruction effort in Armenia;

(2) urge Soviet President Gorbachev to restore order, immediately reestablish unrestricted economic and supply routes to the people of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh, secure the physical safety of the people of Nagorno-Karabagh from attacks and continue a dialog with representatives of Nagorno-Karabagh regarding a peaceful settlement;13:48 04.05.2017

(3) promote in its bilateral discussions with the Soviet Union an equitable settlement to the dispute over Nagorno-Karabagh, which fairly reflects the views of the people of the region;

(4) urge in its bilateral discussions with the Soviet Union that an investigation of the violence against the people of Nagorno-Karabagh be conducted, and that those responsible for the killing and bloodshed be identified and prosecuted; and

(5) express the serious concern of the American people about the ongoing violence and unrest which interferes with international relief efforts.

SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of State.

Passed the Senate November 19 (legislative day, November 6), 1989.

Attest:

WALTER J. STEWART,

Secretary.