Representative TJ Cox Amendment to Support Demining in Nagorno-Karabakh Included in Appropriations Legislation
Yesterday, the bipartisan amendment introduced by Rep. TJ Cox (CA-21) and co-led by Reps. Jackie Speier (CA-14) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) to fund demining efforts in Artsakh passed in the House. Since 1998, USAID funding for demining projects in the region has eradicated more than 10,000 landmines and items of unexploded or abandoned ordnance, saving countless lives. The amendment will ensure the continuation of this demining program.
“As a member of the Armenian Caucus and the representative for so many Armenian Americans in the Central Valley, I was proud to deliver on our promise to build a more constructive relationship between the US, Armenia, and Artsakh. This funding for landmine clearance will not only save innocent lives, but also create much needed peace and stability in the region," said Rep. Cox. "Our bipartisan amendment will provide critical humanitarian relief to countless families in Nagorno Karabakh who continue to live in constant threat of danger, giving them basic assurance that the open land can be a place to enjoy, not fear. I am happy to see the passage of this amendment by the House, and look forward to the continuation of this critical demining program, as well as the United States’ support for the people of Nagorno Karabakh.”
“When I visited Nagorno-Karabakh last year, I saw first-hand how the deadly detritus of war that blankets this region threatens the economic and physical safety of its citizens. Of the nearly 400 civilian casualties in Nagorno-Karabakh from mines and UXO since the end of the conflict in 1994, roughly one quarter are children. And Nagorno-Karabakh has one of the world’s highest annual per capita mine accident rates, at times comparable to Iraq, Colombia, or Cambodia,” Rep. Speier said. “The demining teams operated by the HALO Trust – some of them all-women – have done incredibly brave and vital work. But that life-saving work is at risk of ending since public funds ran out in the spring and the program managed by USAID is the only humanitarian demining assistance program in Nagorno-Karabakh. As the Co-Chair of two bipartisan caucuses dedicated to strengthening the U.S. commitment to Armenia and cleaning up landmines and UXO worldwide, and as an Armenian American, I’m proud and thankful that the House has passed this critically needed amendment.”
“Since the last of the land mines in Artsakh were laid in 1994, 385 people have been killed or injured by them, including those working to eliminate the remaining mines and nearly 100 children,” said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. “This program is the only humanitarian demining assistance in the region and has cleared over 61,000 landmines and other explosives. While previous international efforts have had a major impact through safely removing and destroying more than 10,000 landmines, the need to continue this work to protect local communities from these dangerous remnants of a war a quarter of a century ago remain. I’m grateful the House has seen fit to pass our amendment to continue the crucial work of demining Artsakh.”
Representative TJ Cox has advocated for his constituents of Armenian heritage in the Central Valley since day one and will continue to do so on issues that concern the Armenian community such as the U.S. aid to Armenia and Artsakh, and for demining efforts.