Katie Porter: “Should we side with the intransigent party? Should we side with the aggressor in a brutal war of ethnic cleansing?…”

“Should we side with the intransigent party? Should we side with the aggressor in a brutal war of ethnic cleansing? Should we side with an administration that cares nothing about its own refugees from the war? Should we side with a government that many believe is very corrupt? If so, you should vote against the Radanovich amendment. Or should we at this point in time continue to side with the government that is moving more than any other in the region toward democracy? Should we side with people who are the victim of brutal aggression? Should we side with a party more willing to negotiate face to face and asking for face-to-face negotiations among the parties that are refused by the other side? Should we side with people who share our values? And should we then all insist that this administration move this to a high priority and bring the parties to the table, and have them both give up a little bit so that each can win, along with the United States as well? Mr. Chairman, I think that we have to continue within 907, that 907 gives us the leverage to work and force the Azeris to make the concessions they ought to make, and I insist that this administration put this at the highest possible level and make the three goals that I outlined originally work. That is, peace and the normal relationship between these two very fine countries, a development of the oil field by the American oil companies, and by the building of a pipeline through Armenia.”