Speech #1020125452

Now that the dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan is one between two independent countries. the United States should support the efforts of Armeniawhich will now have a seat in the General Assemblyto raise at the United Nations the issue of NagornoKarabagh and the Azerbaijant blockade of Armenia. With the breakup of the Soviet Union. Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan. who had previously been categorized as displaced persons within the Soviet Union. should now quality as international refugees. The United States should support the efforts of the Government of Armenia to receive the support of international refugee organizations in addressing the refugee problem. Now that the Armenian Government--rather than the Soviet Governmentis in control of the territory devastated by the December 1988 earthquake. the United States should support efforts to channel assistance directly to the democratically elected Government of Armenia. Rebuilding efforts have been adversely affected by a dropoff in Soviet funding. creating a greater sense of urgency for outside assistance to the earthquake zone.