On the recordJune 12, 2019
I rise for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with the chairwoman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs on the policy restricting travel and communications of United States Government personnel to Nagorno-Karabakh. Madam Chair, I want to thank Chairwoman Lowey for the opportunity to discuss this important issue. I had proposed an amendment to Rules that would prevent funds from being used to implement an official ban on U.S. diplomatic efforts with the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, or the Republic of Artsakh, as it is commonly referred to by its citizens. At present, only a handful of highly specialized U.S. officials connected to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, or OSCE, Minsk Group, are allowed to travel to Nagorno-Karabakh or to engage directly with officials who represent that territory. Madam Chair, it is far past time that the United States take a more engaged role in the region to finally end this decades-long conflict. We must remain committed to strengthening the ceasefire in Nagorno- Karabakh, removing barriers to dialogue, and resolving status and security issues that have hindered discussions in the past. Allowing direct, open dialogue and our diplomats to have a presence on the ground, as necessary and when safe, is the only way for the United States to help bring this conflict to a resolution.…
