Original writer and chief proponent of the
Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act (FSA) of 1992

All speeches and legislative amendments that became to be known as Section 907 of FSA
 

NOTE: Section 907 that Sen. John Kerry introduced and lobbied for in the U.S. Senate in 1992, prohibited all U.S. government aid to the Government of Azerbaijan until it ceases "occupation" and "blockades" of Armenia and "Nagorno-Karabakh".

It took 10 years to constanly weaken and finally waive, by President George W. Bush, the Section 907 at the end of 2001.

Since 1992-2003, because of Section 907, Azerbaijan got $335 million in total U.S. aid, while Armenia got $1,336 billion -- 4 times more despite being 2 times smaller than the victim of the aggression, Azerbaijan, in terms of population and territory, and having 4 times less refugees and IDPs.

In that decade of 1992-2002, thousands of Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs from Armenia and currently occupied regions of Azerbaijan (aside from Karabakh region, also Agdam, Fizuli, Lachin, Kelbajar, Gubadly, Zangilan and Jebrayil) suffered in inhumane conditions, lacked proper nutrition and medication, flu shots and housing.

Section 907 had much larger implications than humanitarian -- as if that was not enough. It restricted military aid to Azerbaijan and placed Azerbaijan in a ridiculous situation of having to prove to the U.S. Administration, Congress and general public, that Azerbaijan was the true victim of the Armenian aggression, that it was Armenia that occupied its territory, that it was Armenia that conducted offensive military operations on Azerbaijani soil -- and not the other way around -- and that it was Armenia which began real blockade against Naxchivan in 1989 and because of the war Azerbaijan was obliged to impose an embargo on Armenia.

Furthermore, by the time Section 907 was waived (it is still not completely removed, requiring annual waiver), the world has forgotten about Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs who were ethnically cleansed from their homeland, aid to them was dropping, and Azerbaijan is still experiencing pressure and difficulties associated with the world's incomplete understanding of who blockades whom and why does a dual-embargo against Armenia by Azerbaijan and Turkey exists.

Thus, it would not be an exaggeration to state that Section 907 -- Senator John Kerry's creation at the request of his Armenian donors -- has the largest and deepest repercussions against Azerbaijan even today, has hurt eight million Azerbaijanis directly (of which 1 million especially hard) and forced Azerbaijan to spend precious time and political capital on undoing the effects of 907 instead of being able to concentrate on increasing and improving all other aspects of bilateral relations.

FREEDOM SUPPORT ACT--CONFERENCE REPORT (Senate - October 01, 1992)

[Page: S16103]

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I submit a report of the committee of conference on S. 2532 and ask for its immediate consideration.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The report will be stated.

The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the amendments of the House to the bill (S. 2532) entitled the `Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act,' having met, after full and free conference, have agreed to recommend and do recommend to their repective Houses this report, signed by a majority of the conferees.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of the conference report.

(The conference report will be printed in the House proceedings of the Record.)

[passages omitted]

Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I fully endorse the conference report on the Freedom Support Act [FSA] and would like to clarify, for the record, the purpose of the section placing conditions on United States assistance to the Government of Azerbaijan.

This section of the conference report is a modified version of a provision that I first offered in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. As accepted by the Conference Committee, the provision prohibits assistance to the Government of Azerbaijan unless and until the President determines, and so reports to Congress, that Azerbaijan `is taking demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabach'.

I feel it necessary to clarify the purpose of this provision because the term `demonstrable steps' is not self-defining and because the Bush administration position on the provision has flip-flopped since the Senate first approved it.

I want to make it clear, first of all, that a major change from current policies and practices will be required if the Azeri Government is to meet the condition in the bill. It is not my intention, as sponsor of the language, and I am sure it is not the intention of the Senate, that this provision be dismissed or taken lightly by the President. By `demonstrable steps', we do not mean words, we mean actions, and those actions must reflect a sustained commitment on the part of the Azeri Government to end the violence in Nagorno-Karabach and to lift permanently the blockades against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabach.

Unfortunately, Azeri policies appear at the moment to be headed in precisely the wrong direction. The blockade against Armenia remains in place and Azerbaijan military forces have been fighting for months to close the humanitarian Lachin corridor between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabach. Just this past week, moreover, Azerbaijan launched a major offensive against the Armenian minority in Nagorno-Karabach, including the bombing of residential districts in Stepankert. As a result of the recent violence, an additional 50,000 refugees have been forced to flee to Armenia, bringing the total to more than 300,000 since the fighting began.

Any perception that Azerbaijan is without fault for the continued violence is rebutted by reports from Azerbaijan, itself. Only a few days ago, Azeri television reported that: `The Azerbaijani Armed Forces have conducted yet another successful military operation. The Fizuli subunits of the national army, having launched an advance, liberated the city of Martuni * * * as well as

the Khodzhaven settlement. Simultaneously, our valiant fighters occupied the two strategically important heights of Koynekhtepe and Kyultepe and one other Armenian post in the direction of Gadrut. As a result of this operation, 5 tanks and 7 guns were destroyed and more than 200 enemy soldiers were killed. Operations continue on other fronts, as well.'

Meanwhile, Armenian President Ter-Petrosyan continues to call for a normalization of relations with Azerbaijan and for cooperation in economic and political development. Armenia has renounced any territorial claims against Azerbaijan, expressed strong support for a ceasefire within Nagorno-Karabach and for discussions between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabach to settle peacefully the latter's status. Armenia also remains willing to discuss directly with Azerbaijan the means by which the two republics might achieve lasting peace and stability within the region.

As I said at the time the Freedom Support Act was first approved by the Senate, `It should not be United States policy, and it is not the intent behind the language in this bill, that the United States side with one party or the other in the conflict over Nagorno-Karabach. It is not we who will have to live with the outcome of that conflict. Nor do we wish to encourage other outside powers to intervene. Our neutrality, however, does not extend to the issue of principle. We are not neutral about abduction torture or murder. We are not neutral about blockades designed to starve out poipulations. We are not neutral about mortarfire and shelling that kill indiscriminately. And we are not neutral about the issue of whether disputes over territory and self-determination ought to be settled through peaceful negotiation rather than violence'.

At the time I made that statement, the Bush administration was on record in support of placing conditions on assistance to Azerbaijan. On June 10, Assistant Secretary of State Richard Armitage told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that the provision now in the conference report had the support of the administration.

During deliberations of the conference committee, however, the administration reversed field 180 degrees and urged that the language, approved by both the House and Senate, be dropped. The refusal of the conferees to remove or weaken the language stands, therefore, as a strong expression of congressional intent. Upon enactment of this legislation, the law of the land will clearly bar any United States aid or other benefits under this bill from going to Azerbaijan unless the government of that country makes a sustained and demonstrable commitment to cease its economic and military aggression against its neighbor and to seek a just and peaceful resolution of the crisis in Nagorno-Karabach.

[Page: S16105]

[passages omitted]

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is now on the adoption of the conference report.

Without objection, the conference report is agree to.

So the conference report was agreed to.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. DOLE. I move to lay that motion on the table.

The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

[Page: S16107]

END

[Page: S9473]

   Executive nominations received by the Senate July 1, 1992:

[passage omitted]

FREEDOM FOR RUSSIA AND EMERGING EURASIAN DEMOCRACIES AND OPEN MARKETS SUPPORT ACT OF 1992

   The Senate continued with the consideration of the bill.

   The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. ROCKEFELLER).

[passage omitted]

   Mr. BOREN. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk and ask for its immediate consideration.

ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN, AND THE FREEDOM SUPPORT ACT

   Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I would like to take a few minutes during this debate on the Freedom Support Act [FSA] to discuss the current situation involving Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Nagorno-Karabach.

   Section 5(c) of the FSA consists of an amendment that I offered in the Foreign Relations Committee to prohibit assistance to Azerbaijan unless and until it meets the following three conditions. First, it must take steps to cease its blockade and other offensive uses of military force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabach; second, it must demonstrate respect for the human rights of its minority citizens, including the Armenians; and third, it must participate constructively in international efforts to arrive at a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabach issue.

   It should not be United States policy, and it is not the intent behind the language in this bill, that the United States side with one party or the other in the conflict over Nagorno-Karabach. It is not we who will have to live with the outcome of that conflict. Nor do we wish to encourage other outside powers to intervene. Our neutrality, however, does not extend to the issue of principle. We are not neutral about abduction, torture, or murder. We are not neutral about blockades designed to starve out populations. We are not neutral about mortarfire and shelling that kill indiscriminately. And we are not neutral about the issue of whether disputes over territory and self-determination ought to be settled through peaceful negotiation rather than violence.

   Clearly, none of the parties to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabach is without fault. Neither the Azerbaijani Government nor the Armenian Government fully controls the actions of the military units with which it is identified. Both sides, moreover, have been accused of aggression, both have been accused of indiscriminate violence, and both have been accused of a refusal to compromise.

   But the fact that there may be blame on all sides does not mean that the responsibility is equal. Any objective analysis of the history of Azeri control over Nagorno-Karabach, or of the recent escalation of fighting, must conclude that the primary responsibility and blame for the violence rest with Azerbaijan.

   Azerbaijan has maintained an economic blockage against Armenia periodically since 1988, and continually since November of last year. The result has been desperate shortages of fuel, food, and other basic supplies within Armenia, crippling the economic recovery of perhaps the most democratic, pro-free-enterprise, pro-American of all the former Soviet Republics.

   That blockade also has affected Nagorno-Karabach, a predominantly Armenian enclave that was placed under the control of Soviet Azerbaijan by order of Joseph Stalin in 1921. Stalin subsequently redrew the boundaries to eliminate any land border between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabach. For decades, the Armenian residents endured political and economic repression orchestrated by the Communist leaders in Moscow and their puppets in the Azerbaijan capital of Baku.

   Finally, in 1988, the parliament of Nagorno-Karabach took advantage of the political opening promised by President Gorbachev and voted in accordance with the Constitution to seek independence from the authority of Azerbaijan. This triggered a major outbreak of repression directed by Azerbaijan against the region, including torture, abductions, and large-scale deportations leading to a massive flight of refuses to Armenia.

   The fighting has continued intermittently for the past 4 years,

   but has been particularly intense during the past 6 months. Although the Armenian forces have taken steps to break the blockade and open supply lines between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabach, and questions remain about the alleged killing of Azeris in February at Khodzaly, the primary instigator of the recent violence has, again, been Azerbaijan.

   Under the direction of its new hard-line President, Ebulfez Elchibey, Azerbaijan has launched a massive offensive against the Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabach and reportedly has made preparations to carry the fight across the border into Armenia, itself. The Azeri offensive has been aided by large quantities of heavy weapons either seized from, or provided by, the regular Army of the Confederation of Independent States. Bombings and shellings of principal Armenian cities, including Stepankert, occur on a daily basis. Hundreds of innocent civilians have been killed or wounded in this latest round of fighting alone and thousands of homes have been destroyed.

   Unfortunately, international efforts to mediate a peace settlement have not yet succeeded. The Russians, the CSCE, Iran, the United Nations, and others have sought agreements from the parties to stop the fighting. Armenian President Ter-Petrosyan has made clear his Government's support for a peaceful settlement and has suggested the deployment of UN peacekeeping forces. Speaking to an emergency session of the Armenian Parliament on June 25, Ter-Petrosyan said that:

   We cannot ignore the norms of international law and are bound to take account of world public opinion. I hope that the common sense and wisdom of the people will prevent irresponsible forces from plunging us into rash action. Ensuring the safety of Nagorno-Karabach's population in conjunction with continuing the negotiation process should remain the basic component of our policy toward Nagorno-Karabach. The only alternative to this is the further intensification of confrontation and an unending bloody war. I reject the futile route.

   Although Azerbaijan's leaders also have expressed public support for a settlement, their words are belied by a continuing failure to acknowledge any degree of autonomy for Nagorno-Karabach and by maintenance of the blockades.

   As I have said, there are many aspects of the current situation that are not entirely clear. But section 5(c) of the Freedom Support Act gives the Senate the best opportunity we will have to go on record about the aspects of this dispute that are clear. First, the economic blockade launched by Azerbaijan against Armenia and Armenian Nagorno-Karabach was--and is--wrong. Second, U.S. aid dollars should not go to Azerbaijan as long as that country is engaged in military aggression. Third, respect for human rights should remain an absolute precondition to the granting of aid to any government. And, finally, all sides should seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

   I hope that the inclusion of this language in the Freedom Support Act will contribute to international pressure on Azerbaijan to modify its policies, and that it will encourage the Bush administration to be aggressive in its support of an end to the violence and repression in Nagorno-Karabach.

   In closing, I ask unanimous consent to insert at this point in the RECORD a chronology of daily reports on the current situation in Nagorno-Karabach and Armenia that was prepared by the Armenian Assembly of America. The information was prepared from first-hand accounts, local press sources, and official Government statements.

   There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:

   Chronology of Daily Reports on Current Situation in Nagorno-Karabagh and Armenia May 1-JUNE 23, 1992

   NAGORNO-KARABAGH

   Askeran region

   May 5: On May 5, the regional center of Askeran was shelled with 25 ``grad'' missiles from the Aghdam region (Azerbaijan). Several structures were damaged. Details about the casualties are being confirmed.

   May 6: As a result of artillery shelling of the Armenian village of Baluja from the Azeri bases in Jangasan one villager died.

   May 11: In the morning of May 10, after the ``grad'' shelling, Azeri army forces with 20 units of armoured equipments and tanks attacked the Askeran region the Aghdam region of Azerbaijan. The attackers managed to enter the Armenian villages of Dahraz and Aghbulagh. Six natives were killed and five were wounded. Armenian self-defense units managed to repel the attack.

   On May 9, the regional center of Askeran, Armenian villages of Harav, Karashen and Krasni and Stepanakert City were bombarded with MI-24 helicopters and SU-25 attack planes. The bombing of Stepanakert, the city airport and the regional center of Askeran were considerably more intensive. Askeran and the Village of Noragyugh were shelled with ``grad'' missiles from the Aghdam region (Azerbaijan). There were many casualties and many buildings were damaged.

   May 13: In the evening of May 12 and the morning of May 13, the Armenian villages of Akhbulakh, Arazamin, Nakhijevanik, Dagraz and the Stepanakert airport were shelled with ``grad'' missiles, artillery weapons and tanks from the Aghdam region. An accumulation of tanks, armoured vehicles and soldiers are being observed near the Azeri village of Gyulabli. Once again, a major attack is being expected.

   May 14: On May 13, an Azeri SU-25 attack plane again bombarded Armenian villages in the Askeran region. Several homes were destroyed in the village of Khachmash and two villagers were wounded. On May 9, this same military plane fired upon the Armenian Yak-40 plane, which was transferring wounded from Stepanakert to Goris. The plane caught on fire and barely managed to land at the Sisian (Armenia) airport.

   May 15: On May 15, the Armenian villages of Nakhijevanik and Prjamal were fired upon from the Azeri bases in Gyulaplu. Several buildings were damaged and there were several wounded. Armenian self-defense forces repelled these attacks and were also able to silence almost all of the weapon emplacements in Gyulaplu.

   May 18: In the evening of May 17 and the Morning of May 18, the regional center of Askeran was shelled with artillery weapons and tanks from the Aghdam region. More than 100 shells were launched on the city. One person died, six were wounded.

   May 20: On May 20, the regional center of Askeran and the Stepanakert airport (Khojalu) were shelled with ``grad'' missiles from the Aghdam region. Two people were wounded. Several homes were damaged.

   May 25: In the evening of May 23, the regional center of Askeran and Armenian villages near the NKR border were shelled with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles. The shelling continued until May 24. More than 150 different types of shells were launched. Four people died and four were wounded.

   June 4: On June 3, a ``uaz'' type car was blown up by an Azeri placed mine near the Armenian village of Dagraz. Eight passengers died and four were wounded.

   June 12: Armenian villages of Prjamal, Akhbulakh Arandzamin and Dahraz which were conquered and looted on June 12, and still under the Azeris' control. Reinforcements coming from the Aghdam region. The regional center of Askeran and the positions of the Armenian self-defense units are being shelled with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles. Details concerning casualties are still being confirmed. The Azeri units also suffered considerable losses, and once again reports are being received that the units are full of mercenaries of Slavic origin.

   June 17: While Azeri units continue to hold their positions in the five conquered Armenian villages, Armenian self-defense forces began a counter-attack to liberate their land. Reports indicate that the Azeris are getting reinforcements from the Aghdam region. During the counterattack, several Azeri military vehicles and equipment were destroyed.

   June 19: On June 19, the regional center of Askeran and the Armenian village of Kyatuk were shelled with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles from the Aghdam region. Several villagers were wounded and many buildings were damaged.

   June 22: On June 20, Armenian self-defense forces launched an attack to liberate the Armenian villages of Nakhijevanik and Prjamal, which had been conquered by Azeri forces on June 12. Azeri army tank units retreated, though at least three tanks were put out of action. Both sides suffered losses.

   On June 22, at 3 a.m., the regional center of Askeran was attacked with tanks and armored vehicles from the Aghdam region. The attack was repelled. Three Armenians died and one was wounded. At the same time, several Armenian border villages of the Askeran region were shelled with ``grad'' missiles and heavy artillery.

   June 13: Azerbaijani forces recently seized military weapons from arsenals which were maintained by the former Soviet army. These forces misappropriated massive quantities of armored vehicles, planes, missile launchers, automatic weapons, and ammunition. There is no doubt that the seizure of these weapons, combined with the already massive weaponry Azerbaijan possesses, will be used to annihilate the people of Nagorno-Karabagh. The launching of this offensive, coming shortly after the election of President Elchibey, is in direct contravention of the agreement reached at the north atlantic cooperation council meeting in Oslo on June 6th. This latest offensive is an attempt by Azerbaijan to derail the upcoming CSCE conference on Nagorno-Karabagh in Minsk scheduled to convene in two weeks.

   June 14: The Armenian self-defense forces managed to stop the progression of the Azeri tanks into the Askeran region. On June 14, the Armenian villages of Maragha, Karmiravan, Talish (Mardakert region, two people died and four were wounded), the Armenia village of Edillu (Hadrut region, two died) and all the border villages of the Noyeberian, Ijevan, Kapan, and Goris regions of Armenia were shelled with ``grad'' missiles and artillery weapons. There were casualties and several structures were damaged.

   Hadrut region

   May 5: On May 5, the Armenian villages of Tumi and Edillu were shelled with ``grad'' missiles from the Fizuli region (Azerbaijan). Two homes were destroyed. One villager was wounded.

   May 7: On May 6, at 8 pm, the wine factory and the village of Togh were attacked with armored vehicles from the Azeri village of Vershatlu (Fizuli region). The Armenian self-defense forces managed to retaliate the attack. One villager of the village of Hkaku (Hadrut region) was killed.

   May 12: During the early morning on May 12, Azeri forces heavily shelled the Armenian village of Khsabert with grad missiles. There were casualties. It appears as if the Azeri forces which were retreating from Shushi were able to transfer one grad missile launcher to heights overlooking the Hadrut region.

   May 13: The regional center of Hadrut and the Armenian village of Khtsaberd were shelled with ``grad'' missiles from the Jebrail and Fizuli regions (Azerbaijan). One villager died, nine were wounded.

   May 14, On May 12, near the Fizuli region, a group of armed Azeris attacked a convoy of cars, including trucks carrying food for troops in the Hadrut region. The food from seven trucks was stolen.

   June 3: As a result of a ``grad'' shelling, one man died and one was wounded in the village of Akhbulakh.

   June 4: On June 4, the Armenian village of Melikjanlu was shelled with ``grad'' missilies and artillery weapons from the Fizuli region (Azerbaijan). Many buildings were seriously damaged and seven villagers were wounded.

   June 9: On June 8, the Armenian village of Kochbek was attacked by tanks from the Fizuli region (Azerbaijan). The attack was repelled. The Azeris suffered two losses.

   June 15: On the night of June 15, an attempt was made to penetrate the regional center of Hadrut with tanks from the Fizuli region. The attack was repelled. Both sides are reported to have suffered great losses.

   June 16: Late at night of June 15, an attempt was made to penetrate the Armenian village of Sarishen with tanks from the Jabrial region of Azerbaijan. The attack was repelled. Both sides suffered losses. From the morning of June 16, the regional center of Hadrut was shelled with ``grad'' missiles and artillery weapons. Several buildings were damaged and there were casualties.

   June 23: On June 22, the regional center of Hadrut was shelled with heavy artillery from the fizuili region. Two women were wounded.

   LACHIN

   May 28: According to the headquarters of the NKR's self-defense forces, Kurd families are returning to Lachin.

   June 6: Armenia's defense ministry rejected information spread by the Russian mass media regarding the transference of military equipment from Armenia to NKR via the Lachin corridor on June 1st.

   Mardakert region

   April 16: On April 10, the Azerbaijani army attacked the village of Maragha in the Mardakert region. It was discovered that the Azerbaijani army left in its wake a massacre of the village of Maragha. 50 bodies have been identified, mainly women, children and elderly.

   Baroness Caroline Cox, who had been in Maragha on April 12, commented on the massacre of Maragha by stating that in a single day more than 50 civilians were killed and about 100 taken prisoner, mainly women and children. Baroness Cox made known that they had evidence regarding the atrocities perpetrated in Maragha, including photos of decapitated and mutilated bodies.

   May 1: On April 29, at 7 p.m., the Armenian village of Karmiravan was shelled with rocket-artillery weapons from the Azeri village of Shotlanli (Aghdam region). The Armenian villages of Vank, Maragha and Chailu were also shelled. One villager died, and some buildings were damaged.

   May 4: The Armenian village of Karmir Avan (Mardakert region) was shelled from the Terter region (Azerbaijan). Four villagers were wounded, and several structures were damaged.

   May 5: In the evening of May 4, the Armenian village of Talish was attacked by the Azeri army from the Terter region. At the same time the village was shelled with rockets from the Azeri bases in Shefek. The attack was repelled by the self-defense forces of the village. Four villagers were killed and four were wounded.

   May 6: On May 5, the Azeri army divisions with tanks and armoured vehicles launches an attack on the Armenian village of Talish, trying to cross the road connecting the Mardakert and Shahumian regions. The attack was repelled. Seven people were killed and seven were wounded. 20 Azeri soldiers were reported dead. On May 5, the Armenian villages of Chailu, Matagis, and Leninavan were shelled with ``grad'' missiles from the Terter region (Azerbaijan) and the Azeri bases in Shefek and Zeiva. More than 500 shells were launched on the villages. Many buildings were damaged and there were casualties.

   May 7: Seven people died as a result of the May 5th attack on the Armenian village of Talish by the Azeri army.

   May 12: During the morning of May 12, the day after Armenians repelled an Azeri attack on the Armenian village of Maragha, Azeri forces began heavily shelling the village from the Azeri village of Derder. Confirmed reports indicate that when the Azeri army entered the village of Maragha on May 11, 7 Armenian civilians were brutally murdered and several others seriously wounded.

   Also during the morning of May 12, the Mardakert regional center and the village of Talish were bombed with ``grad'' missiles from Derder.

   May 18: 60 ``grad'' missiles were launched on the Armenian villages of Maragha and Karmiravan from the Derder region (Azerbaijan). Several structures were damaged and several villagers wounded.

   May 25: On May 25, the Armenian village of Talish was bombarded with navy cannons from the Mirbashir region (Azerbaijan). These cannons were taken from the Caspian fleet. Several buildings were damaged. Details about casualties are being confirmed. On May 24, the Armenian village of Talish was shelled with unidentified rockets and artillery weapons.

   May 26: The regional center of Mardakert was shelled with unidentified rockets which have gigantic destructive power, from the Aghdam region. A group of experts were sent to the region to investigate.

   On May 27, at 5:15 pm, the regional center of Mardakert and the Armenian villages of Horatagh and Janyatagh were shelled with artillery weapons (from tanks, cannons and armoured vehicles) from the Aghdam region. Two villagers were wounded.

   On May 26, ``land-air'' rockets were launched upon the Mardakert region. The region's authorities have expressed concern about the new use of this mass destruction weapon.

   June 1: during the evening of May 31st in the village of Kichan (located on the border of Aghdam), one car was blown up by a mine along the road. That car was loaded with a portion of Lady Cox's humanitarian aid from Stepanakert. One person was killed, 3 were wounded.

   June 4: Azeri forces continue to intensely bomb the Mardakert region. On June 3, the Armenian villages of Janyatagh, Nerkin Oratagh, Vardazor and the regional center of Mardakert were shelled with ``grad'' missiles, rocket and artillery weapons, cannons and tanks, and armoured vehicles from the village of Papravend (Aghdam region, Azerbaijan). 500 shells were launched. At least four people were wounded.

   June 5: Azeri units are said to be fleeing from their bases in Nareshtar.

   June 8: On June 7, the regional center of Mardakert was shelled with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles from the Aghdam region (Azerbaijan). More than 100 shells were launched. One woman was killed. There were several wounded and destructions reported. An accumulation of military equipment is being observed in the Kubatli and Kelbajar regions of Azerbaijan.

   June 9: on June 8, the Armenian village of Maragha was shelled with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles. Three villagers were wounded.

   Cyandide-005 was discovered in the shells launched on the village of Mokhratagh (Mardakert region) from the Aghdam region (Azerbaijan). A group of experts arrived in Mokhratagh to investigate.

   June 10: on June 9, the Armenian villages of Maragha, Talish, and Karmiravan and Chailu were shelled with ``grad'' missiles and tanks from the Terter and Germboi regions (Azerbaijan). Two people died and six were wounded in Chailu. Yerevan doctors confirmed that in the ``grad'' volleys there was poisonous gas, which causes convulsions and unhealed sores upon the body.

   June 11: on the night of June 11, the Armenian villages of Getavan, Vagaus, Chapar were attacked with military equipment from the Azeri bases in Nareshtar. The attack repelled, three Armenians died and eight were wounded. Operations are being prepared to silence the Azeris' weapon emplacements in the base in Nareshtar. On the night of June 11, Mardakert city, the villages of Karmiravan and Maragha were shelled with artillery weapons and 300 ``grad'' volleys from the Azeri villages of Shotlanli, Papraven (Aghdam region) and the Terter region. One man was wounded. Several buildings were damaged.

   In the morning of June 14, the Armenian self-defense forces managed to stop the movement of the Azeri tanks from penetrating further into the Mardakert region. The Azeri military equipment was withdrawn from the conquered and looted Armenian village of Kichan. At present, the fighting continues and both sides are reported to have suffered great losses. The Azeri artillery and tanks continue to shell Armenian villages.

   June 12: the Armenian village of Vaguas was shelled and attacked from the Azeri bases in Nareshtar. Two Armenians were killed.

   June 15: The fighting continues in the village of Srkhavend. 30 additional Azeri military units are coming to support the Azeri forces from the Aghdam region. Since the morning hours of June 15, the Armenian villages of Chailu and Talish have been under heavy grad missile attacks. The refugees from the Shahumian region were mainly concentrated in those villages. There were casualties and several buildings were damaged.

   On Saturday, June 13, at 10 a.m., the Azeri military forces tried to penetrate further into the Mardakert region. The Azeri artillery and tanks had surrounded and tried to take by storm the Armenian villages of Children Kolatak. Several structures were destroyed and casualties were reported.

   June 16: Consolidating their position in the Shahumian region, the Azeri units backed up with fourth army tanks, began intensive shelling of the Armenian villages of Talish and Chailu (the majority of the refugees from the Shahumian region were settles in those villages) with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles until the morning of June 16th. There were tens of casualties and substantial damage to structures.

   June 17: During the morning of June 16, Azeri army units, backed with 20 tanks and 50 other military vehicles, invaded the Mardakert region and conquered the settlements of Mataghis, Talish, Tonashen, and Chailu. In addition to the native population of 6,000 close to 10,000 refugees from the Shahumian region had settled in these villages. It is been reported that dozens of Armenian civilians were killed during the attack, while thousands were forced to flee into the surrounding forests. In the evening on June 16th, Armenian self-defense forces began a counter-attack, and were able to liberate part of the village of Chailu. Latest reports indicate that the fighting continues.

   June 18: Two Azeri army tank columns (20 tanks and 50 armored vehicles) from the Terter region, have circled the Armenian village of Leninavan and are actively moving towards the regional center of Mardakert. Armenian self-defense forces are preparing to resist the attack, although they are outnumbered and outarmed.

   In the evening of June 17, the Armenian self-defense forces managed to silence all the weapon emplacements in the Azeri bases in Alimadatli.

   June 19: On June 18, Azeri army units, backed up by 30 tanks and 50 units of military equipment of the 23rd division of the former CIS Fourth Army, managed to invade and burn the Armenian village of Leninavan (5,000, plus 3,000 refugees from the conquered Shahumian region). Dozens of people were killed, and others fled in the direction of Aterk and Mardakert. Armenian self-defense forces established defense positions near the Armenian villages of Leonarkh, Hasangaya and the road leading to Markakert.

   During the last day, Azeri forces have not launched any attacks in the direction of Mardakert.

   June 22: In the morning of June 22, Armenian self-defense forces continued fighting to liberate the northern villages of the Mardakert region. Azeri units are continuing to retreat from some positions.

   During the night of June 22, the regional center of Mardakert was shelled with ``Grad'' missiles from the Azeri bases in Papravend. There were wounded and several buildings were damaged.

   June 23: On June 22 and 23, Armenian self-defense forces continued fighting to liberate the conquered Armenian villages of the northern part of the Mardakert region. The Azeri units retreated from the two main heights.

   On June 22, the regional center of Mardakert was shelled with ``Grad missiles from the Azeri bases in Papravend. The Armenian villages of Aterk, Vaguaz and Getavan were also fired upon. 115 shells were launched.

   Martuni region

   May 1: On April 30, the Martuni regional center was shelled with 50 ``Grad'' missiles from the Azeri bases in Amiranlar. several civilians were wounded and many buildings were damaged.

   May 6: On May 5, the Armenian village of Karmir Shuka was shelled with ``Grad'' missiles from the Fizuli region (Azerbaijan). 160 ``Grad'' volleys and 18 shells were launched. Two homes were completely burnt. Many people were wounded.

   May 7: On May 6, the regional center of Martuni was shelled with rocket and artillery weapons from the Azeri bases in Amiranlar and the village of Marzili (Aghdam region). 12 different types of shells and 107 ``Grad'' volleys were launched on the city. Three homes were completely destroyed. One man was wounded.

   May 13: On May 12, the Azeri military helicopter MI-24 fired upon the Armenian villages of Herher and Machkalashen with unguided missiles. One villager was wounded in Herher. Three homes were completely and five were partially destroyed in Machkalashen.

   May 14: On May 12, the Azeri military helicopter MI-24 fired upon the Armenian villages of Herher and Machkalashen with unguided missiles. One villager was wounded in Herher. Three homes were completely and five were partially destroyed in Machkalashen.

   May 15: On May 15, the regional center of Martuni was shelled with ``grad'' missiles and artillery weapons from the Azeri bases in Amiranlar, Mughanli and Kurapatkino. Several buildings were damaged. There were wounded. As of noon the shelling continued.

   May 17: On May 16, the Armenian villages of Norashen, Ashan, Avdur, and Hatsi were shelled with ``grad'' missiles and two military MI-24 helicopters from the Aghdam region (Azerbaijan). 200 ``grad'' missiles and 12 unguided missiles were launched on the region. Two villagers died and three were wounded.

   May 18: Afterwards, units of the Azeri army launced a massive attack on the villages of Norashen and Ashan. Armenian self-defense forces were barely able to repel the attacks. The Azeris retreated after having suffered many losses. Five Armenian fighters died and five were wounded.

   May 18: On May 16, the regional center of Martuni was shelled with artillery weapons, tanks and flame-throwers from the Azeri bases in Amiranlar. Several buildings were damaged and many Armenians were wounded.

   May 20: On May 20, the Armenian village of Chartar was shelled with ``grad'' missiles from the Fizuli region. 135 ``grad'' volleys were launced upon the village. Two villagers died and five were wounded. Two homes were completely destroyed.

   May 21: On May 20, the Armenian village of Norshen was shelled with artillery weapons and tanks from the Azeri village of Gyulapli (Aghdam region). The attack was repelled. One villager was wounded.

   As a result of shooting of the Armenian village of Machkalashen from the Azeri village of Divanlar one home was completely and two homes partially destroyed.

   May 26: On May 26, the regional center Martuni was shelled with ``grad'' missiles, artillery weapons and tanks from the Azeri bases in Amiranlar, Mughanli and Kurapatkino. Several buildings were damaged and there were casualties.

   May 27: On May 27, the regional center of Martuni and the Armenian village of Karachinar were shelled with artillery weapons. Details are being confirmed.

   June 1: Yesterday the regional center of Martuni was bombarded from the Fizuli region of Azerbaijan with ``grad'' missiles, artillery weapons and tanks. One woman with child were wounded. There was also substantial damage done to the center.

   June 2: During the evening of June 1, the Armenian village of Chartar was shelled with the artillery weapons and tanks from the Azeri village of Dilagardar (Fizuli region). 25 shells were launched upon the village. One villager was wounded. The regional center of Martuni was also shelled with ``grad'' missiles and artillery weapons from the Azeri bases in Amiranlar. Two people were wounded. Details are being confirmed.

   June 5: On June 5, the regional center of Martuni was attacked with military equipment from the Azeri bases in Amiranlar. Armenians responded and were able to repell the Azeri attack, but three Armenians were killed, one was wounded and two left missing.

   June 8: As a result of the June 5 Azeri attack on the Martuni suburbs, three people were killed and one was wounded. The attack was repelled.

   June 9: The Armenian village of Myurishen was bombarded with artillery and rockets from the Aghdam region (Azerbaijan). Five villager were wounded.

   June 10: On June 9, the Armenian villages of Myurishen and Avdur were shelled with 130 ``grad'' missiles from the Azeri villages of Gyulaplu and Abdal. Two homes were completely destroyed and two villages were wounded. The Armenian village of Machkalashen was bombarded with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles from the Azeri bases in Divanlar and Gajar. One villager was wounded. During the night of June 10, the regional center of Martuni was fired upon from the Azeri bases in Amiranlar and Mughanli. An attempt was made to attack the self-defense posts but the attack was repelled. Two Armenians were wounded.

   June 16: Midday on June 15, NKR's self-defense forces liberated the Armenian villages of Kichan and Srkhavend. It was reported that both sides suffered casualties. On June 15, at 8 p.m., information was received that Armenians had liberated also the village of Nakhijevanik. That information is not been confirmed. During the last 3 days of military operations, 18 Armenian fighters were killed and 89 were wounded.

   June 17: In the morning of June 17, the Armenian villages of SOS and Machkalashen were shelled with ``grad'' missiles from the Fizuli Region (Azerbaijan). Four villagers were wounded.

   Azeri troops from Gyulaply and Abdal attempted to conquer the Armenian village of Norshen. The attack was repelled.

   June 18: During the night and the morning of June 18, all of the Armenian border villages were shelled with ``grad'' missiles and heavy artillery.

   One villager died and several were wounded in the village of Spitakashen.

   June 22: Late at night of June 21, the regional center of Martuni was shelled with ``grad'' missiles from the Azeri bases in Amiranlar. Three citizens were wounded. The Armenian village of Chartar was fired upon from the Azeri bases in Gajar. 30 artillery shells were launched. one villager was wounded.

   In the evening of June 21, the Armenian village of Berdashen was shelled with 50 ``grad'' rockets from the Aghdam region. Five villagers were wounded.

   June 23: In the evening of June 22, the Armenian village of Berdashen was shelled with ``grad'' missiles and artillery weapons from the Aghdam region. Four villagers died and three were wounded. Five homes were completely destroyed.

   Shahumian region

   May 4: On May 2, the Armenian village of Erkej was attacked by Azeri armed groups. According to the self-defense headquarters, both sides suffered casualties.

   May 5: On May 5, the Armenian village of Karachinar and the regional center Shahumyanovsk were bombarded with artillery weapons from the Azeri bases in Shefek. One man died, five were wounded.

   May 11: In the evening of May 9 and the night of May 10, the regional center of Shahumianovsk and the Armenian village of Karachinar were shelled with ``grad'' missiles and artillery weapons. There were wounded and many buildings were destroyed.

   May 12: During the earlier morning of May 12, Azeri forces began shelling the Armenian village of Karachinar with ``grad'' missiles from the Azeri military base in Sheffik. Initial reports indicate that several Armenians were wounded during the attack.

   May 13: On May 13, the regional center Shahumyanovsk was shelled with ``grad'' missiles. Details are being confirmed. The Azeri army accumulations was being observed in the entire area of the region.

   May 14: As a result of the May 12 shelling of the village of Gharachinar one villager died.

   May 20: On May 20, the Armenian village of Karachinar and the regional center Shahumianovsk were bombarded from the Azeri bases in Shefek and Todan. The Armenian self-defense units were forced to open respond fire.

   May 25: On May 25, the Armenian village of Karachinar was shelled with rocked and artillery weapons. 60 different types of shells, including ``land-air'' rockets were launched. Two people died and six were wounded.

   On May 24, the Armenian villages of Karachinar, Buzluk and the regional center Shahumyanovsk were bombarded with ``grad'' missiles as well as ``land-air'' rockets, which have gigantic destructive power.

   May 26: The Armenian villages of Karachinar and Manashid were shelled with heavy tanks, and ``land-air'' rockets from the Azeri bases in the Shahumian region. Two Armenian villagers were wounded and several buildings were damaged.

   June 2: On June 2, the Armenian village of Karchinar was shelled with ``grad'' missiles and artillery weapons from the Azeri bases in Shefek. 15 shells were launched. One villager died. Several buildings were damaged.

   June 3: On June 3, the Armenian village of Karachinar was shelled with ``grad'' missiles and artillery weapons. Details about the casualties are being confirmed.

   June 8: On June 6, the Armenian village of Karachinar was shelled with tanks, ``grad'' missiles and ``alazan'' rockets from the Azeri bases in Shefek. Two villagers died and two were wounded.

   June 10: On the night of June 10, the Armenian village of Karachinar was bombarded with 150 ``grad'' volleys from the Azeri bases in Shefek. Details about the casualties are being confirmed.

   June 15: After the June 13 shelling of regional Armenian villagers with air bombs, some of which are suspected to be chemical materials (dozens of peaceful civilians died and were taken to the hospitals with obvious symptoms of chemical poisoning), the Azeri army, with 20 tanks and more than 40 armoured vehicles, managed to conquer the Armenian village of Karachinar, Buzlukh, Erkedj, Manashid, Kharkhaput, Armenian Borisi and the Russian village of Russian Borisi. The villages were burnt and looted, and most civilians who had remained in the villages were ruthlessly killed. Hundreds of wounded were taken to the regional hospital of Shahumyanovsk. The regional center of Shahumyanovsk and the Armenian village of Verishen (population of 15,000) were encircled and shelled with heavy artillery, ``grad'' missiles and tanks. New casualties were reported and several structures were destroyed. There is no possibility to evacuate the peaceful population as the roads are blocked with Azeri military equipment. Medicine is in short supply in the Shahumian region.

   Azeri tanks managed to enter all 12 Armenian villages of the region.

   June 16: About 10,000 people from the Shahumian region fled to the northern villages of the Mardakert region (NKR). The whereabouts of the remaining 10,000 is unknown. It is probable that many were taken hostage and others may be hiding in the forests. According to the refugees, dozens of inhabitants of the 11 Armenian villages and the regional center Shahumyanovsk were mercilessly fired upon from tanks and armoured troop-carriers. One of the shells landed on the regional hospital, where there were several wounded and people who had suffered from the chemical weapons used on June 13.

   On June 15, Ashot Manucharian, the President's National Security Advisor and Defense Minister Vazgen Sarkisian made appearances at the Supreme Council Session. According to Ashot Manucharian, Yerevan was aware of the prepared attack on NKR by Azerbaijan, but nobody expected that such great forces will be launched. According to Vazgen Sarkisian, during the night the Azeris accumulated about 100 units of military equipment (50 T-72 tanks) along the Shahumian border.

   Shushi region

   May 11: The Azeri military forces while abandoning Shushi, left a great amount of ammunition there. According to the NRK's supreme council press-center, the Azeri army left Shushi on May 9 without any resistance, though both sides suffered great casualties during the Azeri attack on Stepanakert on May 7 and 8. On May 8, during the counterattack on Shushi, 7 fighters from the Armenian self-defense units died.

   On May 9, Azeri MI-24 helicopters and a CIS SU-25 military plane bombarded an ancient Armenian church in Shushi, which the Azeris had been using to as a military depot. According to the NKR's self-defense forces headquarters, the ammunition had been transferred to a more secure place.

   According to the NKR's Supreme Council Presidium Member Levon Melik-Shahnazarian, Shushi and the Azeri military bases of the Azeri army are currently under the control of NKR's self-defense units. NKR's supreme council press-center categorically rejected Azeri media claims that Armenians used chemical weapons and battle planes.

   Some background information on Shushi: There have been few, if any, civilians living in Shushi during the past month. Over the past year, it was transformed into a massive Azeri military base. In 1988 both Armenians and Azeris lived in Shushi, however, after the Anti-Armenian pogroms in May 1988, more than 5,000 Armenians were forced to abandon their homes in Shushi and were forced to flee their homes.

   Historically, Shushi was the capital of NKR. Its demographics changed after 1918, when, as a result of several Turkish and Azeri pogroms, a large percent of the Armenian population living in Shushi were expelled from their native city.

   May 18: According to the Karabagh officials, cars carrying wounded from Karabagh will soon be using a demilitarized road, connecting the villages of ``Mets Berdadzor'' (Karabagh) with the villages in the Goris region (Armenia) to Karabagh have been prohibited due to the shelling of the Yak-40 passenger plane. The plane, which was bringing humanitarian aid to the Stepanakert Airport, was shelled with ``grad'' rockets from the Aghdam region. Nagorno Karabagh is still being blockaded. Cars from Armenia will take flour and other food to Karabagh, as negotiations between NKR officials and Lachin Kurds indicate that the Kurds are ready to allow all the non-military goods to go to Karabagh via Lachin.

   May 19: The Azeri popular front, units are leaving Lachin. The local population is also abandoning the city. On May 19, Lachin is practically empty, expect for several Kurdish families. The traces of the fights between the Azeri peoples front, the Kurds and the Mutalibov's supporters are obvious in the city.

   June 8: On June 7, the official opening ceremony of the cross-stone (Khachkar) monument was held in Shushi devoted to those Armenian self-defense fighters who perished during the defending of their lands.

   24 of the 64 electric power stations are already working in the city, providing 35% of the electric power to the city.

   June 10: Life is being restored in the city of Shushi. Yesterday, city buses began operating from Stepanakert to Shushi. Very soon the bread ovens and small enterprises will also reopen. There is now a daily official (NK Supreme Council) newspaper printed called Artsakh. Culturally, art exhibitions and dance group performances are being organized for a road trip to Shushi by the ROA's ministry of culture.

   STEPANAKERT

   May 1: On April 30 and in the morning of May 1, the northwestern suburbs of Stepanakert were attacked by Azeri army divisions from Gaibalu and Jangasan. 10 Armenians were wounded as were several Azeris.

   On May 1, Stepanakert was shelled with ``grad'' missiles from Shushi--38 volleys were launched on the city. Details about the casualties are being confirmed.

   May 4: From January 1 through the end of April, Stepanakert has been shelled 170 different times from Shushi and Azeri forces have attacked the suburbs of the capital 11 times. Over 4,750 missiles and rockets have landed in Stepanakert during this time, 2,437 of which were ``grad'' missiles, and 527 ``alazon'' missiles. As a result of these bombings, 90 civilians have died and 268 have been wounded (this is in the city alone and doesn't include casualties in NKR's different regions), 188 homes have been destroyed and 144 damaged. Due to serious shortages of medicine, most people who are wounded cannot be saved.

   May 4: On May 2 and into the morning of May 3, Stepanakert was bombarded with ``grad'' missiles from Shushi, Janhasan, and Kyosalar. Abut 200 rockets and shells were launched on the city. Two civilians died and over a dozen more were wounded. During the shelling Stepanakert's maternity hospital was bombed and as a result six people died, including two new born babies.

   On May 3, Azeris resumed their attack on Stepanakert. More than 120 rockets and shells (including grads) were launched on the city. Several buildings were damaged.

   Later during the day, after 15 hours of uninterrupted shelling of the Stepanakert, the Azeri army launched a massive attack on the south-western suburbs of the capital, and were able to overtake one of the suburbs overlooking Stepanakert. During the fighting, 17 civilians were wounded, and others died. Armenian self-defense forces who were defending the city were forced to retreat. After invading the suburbs, the Azeri forces began shelling Stepanakert from closer distances, causing fires to break out in different parts of the city. Because of the continual shelling, it is difficult to report on additional casualties and damages.

   May 5: On May 5, the south-western suburbs of Stepanakert were shelled with rockets and artillery weapons from Shushi. Four citizens were wounded. There is practically no communications with Stepanakert and as a result details are extremely difficult to confirm.

   May 6: On May 6, Stepanakert was shelled with rockets and artillery weapons from Shushi. 23 ``grad'' missiles and 17 different types of shells were launched on the city. Four homes were partially damaged. Two citizens were wounded. The south-western suburbs are still being fired upon.

   May 7: The entire night of May 7 Stepanakert was hit with 43 shells, including ``grad'' missiles from Shushi. Four homes were partially destroyed. Several citizens were wounded. Details are being confirmed.

   May 8: NKR self-defense forces are continuing military operations to silence Azeri weapon emplacements in Azeri military bases near Stepanakert. At 10 a.m., the strategic height of Jangasan was conquered and Armenian troops are approaching Shushi. During the fighting, one ``grad'' missile launcher and a great deal of military equipment were captured. However, Azeris continue to shell Stepanakert with rocket artillery. 16 were wounded, and several others died in the city.

   May 12: Weapon emplacements and military depots in Shushi and near-by locations, which were captured by Armenian forces on May 9 are reported to be full of military equipment and were surrounded by mines. Several Armenians have been wounded or died as a result of these mines.

   May 14: On May 14, the Stepanakert Airport was shelled with ``grad'' missiles from the Aghdam region. Two citizens were wounded and several structures were damaged.

   May 18: On May 18, the NKR's defense forces conquered the city of Lachin. Armenians conquered the city without suffering any losses. Stepanakert-Goris Highway with its neighboring settlements is currently being controlled by the Armenians. The Azeris leaving the village of Zabugh, have blown up the Goris-Stepanakert highway bridge. According to the information, the Armenian Army's engineering divisions went to Zabugh to build a temporary bridge. According to the NKR's defense forces, the land communication with Armenian will be restored today.

   May 20: On May 19, Stepanakert schools resume classes. The kindergartens are still closed due to the lack of food. However, it is foreseen that after the successful arrival of food via the ``humanitarian corridor'' (Yerevan/Goris/Lachin/Stepanakert), NKR's children will be able to resume their kindergarten activities.

   The first caravan with humanitarian aid, arrived in Stepanakert safe and sound. The population of Stepanakert came out of their cellars smiling for the first time in 4 years.

   May 27: The situation in Stepanakert remains calm. NKR's supreme council is preparing to address the region's economic problems.

   June 1: As it is impossible to reach Stepanakert from Azeri territory due to the distance, electricity and drinking water facilities are moderately improving. The hospital is currently under renovation and the kindergarten will soon be reopened. During yesterday's meeting of NKR leadership, the Republic of Armenia and Baroness Cox were thanked for their humanitarian aid, which reached NKR through Lachin corridor. The refugees from Shushi, who have been living the past months in Stepanakert, are now returning to their homes in Shushi. They include Russian families as well.

   June 2: The NKR's supreme council session was held in Stepanakert today. The problems of the political situation of the Republic, the symbolism of NKR and their constitution will be discussed, as well as elections of the NKR's supreme council chairman and his deputies will be carried out. Prime-Minister, Oleg Yessian spoke about the current economic situation of the republic. Government's personal staff, procurator, the chairman of the Supreme Court and the NKR's head arbiter were confirmed. The NKR's military service laws were also discussed. Also present during the opening session were guests of honor, Babken Arartsian, Supreme Council Commission Chairman Seiran Baghdasarian, Bagrat Asatran, Lady Caroline Cox, foreign journalists, public organizations, Russian's, Armenia's parties representatives.

   June 5: NKR's parliamentary chairman elections continue today. Yesterday, Georgi Petrosian, Robert Kocharian and Boris Arushanian withdrew their candidacies and the remaining candidate Shahen Meghrian, did not receive enough votes to be elected. (41 votes needed).

   June 8: NKR's supreme council decided to postpone supreme council chairman elections until after the July 12 elections for the 20 vacant parliamentary deputy slots. On June 5, NKR's temporary count was confirmed and a parliamentary commission was established to develop the final constitution.

   June 10: Six major construction organizations began reconstruction of kindergartens and other educational institutional buildings. Though the humanitarian corridor is functioning, there is a lack of building materials and it can interfere with the plans of reconstructing schools for the following year.

   June 12: NKR received 52 tons of potatoes, 14 tons of cornmeal, 4.5 tons of flour, 7 tons of diesel fuel and other goods in humanitarian aid from Georgia. Georgia also provided 20,000 roubles to the families of the wounded and dead self-defense fighters of NKR. Artillery shelling of the Armenian villages continues along the NKR-Azerbaijan border.

   ARMENIA

   Ararat region

   May 8: On May 2, the Armenian village of Sevakavan (Ararat region) was bombarded from the territory of Nakhichevan. Azeris continue to shell the village of Yeraskhavan.

   May 6: The Ararat regional center rejected the information of the Azeri side that Nakhijevan has been attacked. In fact, the Azeris violating the ceasefire agreement, shelled the Armenian villages of Yeraskh and Sovetashen on May 5, in the afternoon, the Armenian side was forced to silence the weapon emplacements in the Axeri villages of Gyumushli (Nakhijevan). As a result some Azeri artillery emplacements were neutralized.

   May 8: Fighting continues along the Nakhijevan--Ararat region (Armenia) border and the number of casualties is increasing. Armenian officials have issued an order to evacuate Armenians living in the border regions of Sevakavan, Yeraskhavan, Armash, and Surenavan. Azeri artillery attacks and shooting have become more accurate.

   May 12: It has been reported that large amounts of military equipment and troops are accumulating in Nakhichevan along the border with the Ararat region

   May 18: In the morning of May 18, the near border posts of the regional department of internal affairs were fired upon from the Sadarajk region (Nakhijevan). Militiamen were forced to open respond fire.

   On MAY 17, reports from the Armenian village of Khor Virap state that machine gun and cannon shooting was heard from Turkish territory. The noise was apparently from fighting which is currently taking place between Kurds and the Turkish army.

   May 20: On May 20 the rocket-artillery shelling of the border Armenian villages (Ararat region) from the village of Sadarak (Nakhijevan) resumes, provoking respond fire. ROA's defense ministry more than once has rejected the fact that Armenian units had attached Sadarak. Leaders of the seventh army stationed on Armenia's territory, categorically rejected the soldiers' and military participation in the fights at the Armenian-Azerbaijan border.

   May 21: As a result of massive shellings upon the village of Yeraskh from the Sadarak region (Nakhijevan) on May 20 and 21 with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles, two villagers died and two were wounded. Armenia's defense ministry rejected Azeri reports that chemical weapons were used in that region. On May 19, Nakhijevan's foreign minister, RZA Ibadov, stated that he has appealed to Turkey for help in supplying Nakhijevan with modern weapons to repel Armenians' attacks.

   June 1: On the night of June 11, the Armenian village of Yeraskhavan was shelled with ``grad'' missiles. Five villagers were wounded, in the morning the shelling resumed. The Armenian side did not respond.

   June 5: On June 5, the Armenian village of Yerashavan was fired upon. Three villagers were wounded during the attack. Armenians have refrained from responding to the shellings.

   June 8: The Armenian village of Yerashavan (Ararat region) is periodically being fired upon in provocation. The Armenian side is not responding to the shootings.

   June 12: As a result of artillery shelling upon the Armenian village of Yeraskhavan during the evenings of June 11 and June 12, two villagers were wounded.

   Goris Region

   May 11: In the evening of May 9, the Armenian villages of Kornidzor and Khndzoresk (Goris region), Aigehovit and Vazashen (Ijevan region) and Aignedzor and Chinar (Taush region) were shelled with artillery weapons and tanks from Azerbaijan. There were casualties and destructions. In the morning of May 10, the shelling resumed. The commanders of the CIS seventh army, located in the territory of Armenia, rejected the C claims that the CIS Army participated in the alleged attacks on Azerbijan and Nakhijevan from Armenia.

   May 13: On May 12, tanks and armoured vehicles from the Ghubatlu region (Azerbaijan) on their way to the Azeri city of Lachin, fired upon the Armenian villages of the Goris region. Simultaneously, the population of Lachin and the deserters were being evaculated from the city. Lachin is converted into a powerful Azeri military base, from where on May 12 and 13 the regional center of Goris and the border Armenian villages were shelled with ``Grad'' missiles. There were wounded people and damaged buildings.

   May 15: On may 14, several Armenian villages and Armenian self-defense units were shelled with artillery weapons from the Azeri region of kubatli, but all the attacks were repelled. Yesterday, the situation was calm in Goris City.

   May 18: NKR's supreme council's foreign relations Committee's Chairman Levon Melik-Shahnazarian stated that ``lifting of the blockage of Goris-Stepanakert highway of the Lachin region with military ways an obligatory step in order to open Karabagh to the outside world, as the Azeri blockade has led people to starvation and the economy is completely in shambles. Other countries's mediations in lifting the blockade were fruitless. The Stepanakert Airport has been closed because of the continuous shelling from the Azeri territory.

   May 19: Though the Azeri army is losing the war in Karabagh, Goris border villages are still being shelled. On May 17, the Armenian villages of Tech, Kornidzor, Khoznavar, Khnatsakh Hartashen and Shurnukh were shelled with rockets. There were no casualties reported. During the night the Azeris left the heights, from where they were bombarding Goris City and the Nearby border villages.

   May 20: The Goris-Lachin-Shushi-Stepanakert highway is finally open after being blockaded for 4 years. NKR's army silenced all the enemy weapon emplacements located along the highway and nearby regions. Along the road, military equipment was left behind by the Azeris. It was reported that before retreating, the Azeris burnt and blew up their homes, as well as slaughtered their animals.

   May 20: On May 19, a caravan of 100 trucks headed for Artsakh by Goris-Lachin road, loaded with humanitarian aid, arrived safely in Stepanakert.

   May 22: According to Platt's Oilgram News--May 22, 1992: the intensification of fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabagh is being tied to plans for a crude export route directly into Turkey. The plans developed jointly by Turkey and Azerbaijan, are to annex to Azerbaijan the Zangezour region in southern Armenia, a narrow strip of land that divides Azerbaijan proper from Nakhichevan. By annexing the Zangezour region now, Azerbaijan would be able to build a large diameter pipeline to Turkey without having to transit third countries.

   Turkish and Azerbaijani planners expect the land bridge of Zangezour will also provide a right-of-way to a proposed gas-line from Turkmenia via Baku onto Turkey and then to Europe. This is the route that Turkey and Azerbaijan are pushing against alternative proposals by Iran offering central Asia's oil and gas producers a direct line to Persian Gulf terminals. Turkey and Azerbaijan have rejected a third alternative via Georgia.

   May 27: On May 26, from 11 to 12 a.m., the Armenian village of Kornidzor (Goris region) was shelled with artillery weapons from the Kubatli region. One villager was wounded, six homes were destroyed and ten were partially destroyed.

   On May 26, in the evening, the Armenian village Khndzoresk was bombarded continuously for several hours. Several buildings were damaged.

   June 1: During the evening of May 31 the Armenian village of Kornidzor and Khndzoresk were shelled with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles. One villager died and one was wounded in the village of Kornidzor. One villager was wounded in Khndzoresk. Several buildings were damaged.

   June 2: On June 2, the Armenian villages of Khndzoresk, Kornisdzor and Karaunj were shelled with ``grad'' missiles and artillery weapons from the Kubatli region (Azerbaijan). One villager was killed, four were wounded in the village of Khndzoresk. Several buildings were damaged.

   June 3: On June 2, at 6:30 p.m., a car was fired upon from the Kazakh region (Azerbaijan). Four passengers died. The car was from Georgia and the casualties were Georgians.

   June 4: The Armenian villages of Kornidzor and Khndzoresk were again shelled with ``grad'' missiles. One man was wounded. Several building were damaged.

   June 5: The Armenian villages of Artsvashen (Krasnoselsk region) and Berkaber (Ijevan region) were shelled with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles on the night of June 5.

   June 18: On the evening of June 17, a group of Azeri army tanks from the Kubatli region, tried to attack the Armenian village of Kornidzor, in order to conquer the humanitarian corridor connecting the Goris region with the NKR. Reports indicate that the attack was repelled, and that the Azeris were forced to retreat.

   Ijevan region

   June 3: On June 2, at 6:30 p.m., a car was fired upon from the Kazakh region (Azerbaijan). Four passengers died. The car was from Georgia and the casualties were Georgians.

   June 8: The Armenian villages of Artsvasheen (Krasnoselsk region) and Berkaber (Ijevan region) were shelled with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles on the night of June 5.

   June 9: On June 9, the Armenian villages of Aigehovit and Berkaber were shelled with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles from the Kazakh region (Azerbaijan). Six homes were damaged and one villager was wounded in the village of Aigehovit. Several buildings were damaged and one man was wounded in the village of Berkaber.

   June 10: In the evening of June 9 and the night of June 10, the Armenian villages of Sarigyugh, Kayanavan, Azatamut, Aigehovit, Berkaber were shelled with artillery weapons, tanks, and ``grad'' missiles. Four villagers died in Azatamut, one was killed and two were wounded in Aigehovit, one was killed in Berkaber. The village of Berkaber was also shelled with cannons and unguided missiles from the Mi-24 helicopter.

   June 12: On the night of June 12, the Armenian villages of Achajur, Sevkar and Vazashen were shelled with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles. Two villagers were wounded.

   Kapan region

   May 1: The population of the Azeri border villages is being evacuated. This activity suggests that the Azeris are preparing to launch large-scale military operations against the southern regions of Armenia.

   May 6: On May 6, the Kapan Airport was fired upon with cannons from the Zangelan region (Azerbaijan). On May 5, the Azeri side once again violating the ceasefire agreement launched an attack on the village of Geghanush of the Kapan region (Armenia) from Ghazanchi. The village was fired upon with machine guns, cannons and other weapons. The city of Kapan was also bombarded. Fortunately, there were no casualties.

   May 20: On May 18, from 10 to 12 p.m., the eastern regions of Kapan city were bombarded from the Azeri village of Seidlar (Zangelan region). Two buildings were damaged. There were no casualties reported. At the same time the Armenian village of Syunik was bombarded from the enemies ceased their fire.

   On May 19, the Armenian village of Chakaten was attacked from the Azeri village of Jambar and Garalu (Zangelan region). The attack was retaliated by the Armenian self-defense units.

   May 27: On May 25, the Armenian village of Nerking Hand (Kapan region) was bombarded with cannons from the village of Kyolu (Zangelan region, Azerbaijan). More than 60 shells were launched on the village. The region's self-defense forces repelled the attack. One villager was wounded, several buildings were damaged.

   June 1: On June 1, the regional center of Kapan, Armenian villages of Yeghvard, Siznak, David Bek, Chakaten were shelled with artillery weapons from the Zangelan region (Azerbaijan). There were wounded. Details are being confirmed. Eight homes were completely destroyed.

   June 2: On June 2, the regional center of Kapan, Armenian villages of David Bek, Yeghvard and Agarak were shelled with ``grad'' missiles and heavy artillery from the Kubatli region (Azerbaijan). Three people were wounded in Kapan, and one in David Bek.

   June 4: On June 4, the Armenian villages of Geghanush and Yeghvard were shelled with ``grad'' missiles and artillery weapons from the Zangelan region (Azerbaijan). In Yeghvard, six homes were completely destroyed. Furthermore, Zeri troops from Zangelan attacked an Armenian and wounding two others.

   June 11: On the night of June 11, the Armenian village of Geghanugh was fired upon from the Azeri village of Kazanchi. A 14-year-old boy was killed. Several constructions were damaged.

   June 15: Late in the night of June 14, the regional center of Kapan and the border Armenian villages were shelled with ``grad'' missiles. An accumulation of more than 70 units of military equipment is being observed in the Zangelan region (Azerbaijan).

   June 17: During the night and the morning of June 17, all the border villages of the Kapan, Goris, Vardenis, Vaik, Krasnoselsk and Taush regions of Armenia were shelled with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles. three innocent people died and four were wounded in the regional center Berd (Taush region). Accumulation of tanks and other military equipment is being observed in the Kubatli, Zangelan and Ordubad regions of Azerbaijan.

   June 18: On June 18, the regional center of Kapan was shelled with tanks, artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles from the Zangelan region (Azerbaijan).

   June 19: On June 19, the Armenian villages of Agarak and Syunik were shelled with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles. There were wounded. Several buildings were damaged.

   June 22: On June 20, the Armenian villages of Geghanush (Kapan region) and Kornidzor (Goris region) were shelled with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles. Substantial damage was done to the buildings.

   KHACHIK

   May 20: On May 19, at 7:30 p.m., the Armenian village of Khachik was bombarded from the territory of Nakhijevan. The civilians are seeking shelter and have retreated to their cellars.

   May 22: On May 20, the shooting between the Armenian village of Khachik and the Azeri village of Yaiji (Nakhijevan) resumed. Armenians managed to silence an Azeri weapons emplacement. The Azeris suffered losses.

   Kragnoselk region

   June 19: An accumulation of the Azeri artillery and military equipment is being observed in front of the village of Artsvashen. An attack is expected on that village soon.

   June 21: On May 20, an armed group tried to attack the post along the border with Armenia from the Azeri village of Getabek. The attack was repelled. One Armenian and three attackers were reported dead.

   MEGHRI/BLOCKADE

   March 18: According to the ministry of foreign affairs of republic of Armenia: Azerbaijan's blockade of Armenia is in violation of international law and has reached intolerable limits. As a result, 110,000 tons of fuel bound for Armenia remain held up in Azerbaijan. Industry is at a standstill and the economy has been destroyed. There is no tax base for the government to meet its most basic budgetary requirements. Schools are closed and hospitals are without medical supplies. Food staples are in short supply.

   Armenia's alternate lifeline to the rest of the world is now unreliable due to the political situation in Georgia. Furthermore, Turkey has obstructed shipment through its territory of humanitarian aid for Armenia.

   Armenia has clearly stated that it has no territorial claims on Nagorno-Karabagh or Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabagh is seeking application of the right to self-determination under international law. To create normal conditions for discussions, Azerbaijan must end its blockade. Trains of fuel destined for Armenia must be allowed to continue their journey.

   June 1: Over 270 railroad cars of goods bound for Armenia were appropriated by authorities in Nakhichevan at the Sharur Station and either sold or distributed to the local population in Nakhichevan or sent to Turkey and Iran for sale. Because of this Armenia has closed off railroad traffic to Nakhichevan via Armenia's Meghri region. Armenian interests have precluded any blockade of Nakhichevan since that would have eliminated any incentive Azerbaijan had to allow at least a small fraction of cargo bound for Armenia to pass over the Azerbaijani border into Armenia. Nakhichevan now has an open and friendly border with Turkey through which it is receiving both civilian and military supplies.

   Despite Azerbaijan's economic blockade of Armenia, Armenia has worked with Azerbaijan to provide electricity to the Nakhichevan Republic which is part of Azerbaijan. During the first 4 months of 1982, 400,833,380 kilowatt hours entered Armenia from Azerbaijan and 22,663,490 kilowatt hours entered Armenia from Georgia. An unknown portion of this electricity was generated in neither Georgia nor Azerbaijan, but in Russia. During the same period 254,964,600 kilowatt hours of electricity entered Azerbaijan from Armenia (98.9% of which went to Nakhichevan and 1.1% to the Lachin region) and 1,211,800 kilowatt hours of electricity entered Georgia from Armenia. Therefore, during this period, a total of 423,496,870 kilowatt hours of electricity entered Armenia from Georgia and Azerbaijan and a total of 256,176,400 kilowatt hours entered Georgia and Azerbaijan from Armenia. Armenia received from Azerbaijan 145,868,780 kilowat hours more than it was to pass on to Nakhichevan and Lachin and payment was made for this excess.

   June 23: On June 22, from 7 to 8 p.m., dozens of shells were launched upon the regional center of Meghri from artillery weapons for the Ordubad region (Nikhijevan). The population has been evacuated from the region.

   Noyemberian region

   May 26: According to ROA's international ministry, on May 25 Armenian villages in the border regions of Noyemberian, Ijevan, and Taush were shelled with artillery weapons. One man was wounded and 20 homes were destroyed.

   June 8: On June 8, the Armenian village of Voskepar (Noyemberian region) was shelled with artillery weapons and rockets. Several buildings were damaged. Some villagers were reported wounded.

   June 9: During the night of June 8 through the morning hours of June 9, the Armenian villages of Vaghanis, Voskepar, Voskevan and Koti were attacked and shelled with artillery weapons. The attack was repelled. Respond measures were taken to silence the enemy's weapon emplacements of the Azeri base in Verin Askipar. Four Armenians were killed and seven were wounded.

   June 10: On June 10, the Armenian villages of Voskepar (three villagers died), Voskevan (one was killed, two were wounded and one is missing), Koti (one was killed, three were wounded), were shelled with artillery weapons and ``grad'' missiles. Several buildings were considerably damaged in all of the villages. Armenians were forced to open respond fire.

   Sadarak Region

   May 25: Despite Nakhijevan's Supreme Majlis Chairman Heidar Aliev's statements on a unilateral ceasefire, Azeri forces from the Azeri military base in Sadarak shelled the Armenian villages of Yeraskh on May 24. According to Azeri information sources, the population of Sadarak has been evacuated. Last week, 12 Armenians died and 30 were wounded as a result of the Azeri shelling of Yeaskh.

   June 5: According to the Armenia's defense ministry, in the border regions of Tauz, Kazakh, Zangelan, and Sadaraks (Azerbaijan) ``Grad'' missiles are employed. ``Grad'' missiles were given to the National Front of Nakhijevan.

   Shosh Region

   May 2: On May 2, the Armenian villages of Shosh, Dashushen, Krasni, Khantsakh, and Baluja were shelled again. There were many casualties.

   May 4: During the night the Armenian village of Baluja was shelled from the Azeri village of Janhasan. Four Armenians were wounded.

   Taush Region

   May 5: As a result of the May 4 massive rocket shelling of the regional center Berd and the village of Movses from the Tauz region (Azerbaijan), two villagers died and seven were wounded. More than 20 homes were destroyed. Since the morning of May 5, the Armenian village of Yeraskh (Ararat region) has been shelled. The shelling still continues.

   May 8: Although the situation in the Taush region is relatively calm, Armenian officials are expecting a massive Azeri attack in the near future as Azeri military equipment and personnel continues to be accumulating along the border and Azeri officials refuse to negotiate with Armenian officials from the Taush region.

   May 12: Throughout the evening on May 11 and into the morning of May 12, several Armenian villages in the Taush region were shelled with artillery. The Armenian village of Khntzoresk in the Goris region was also shelled. As of 12 noon on May 12, the shelling continues.

   May 15: On May 14, 2 p.m., the regional center Berd and the Armenian border villages of Artsvaberd, Paravakar, and Chinari were shelled with ``grad'' missiles; Tanks and artillery weapons from the Touz region (Azerbaijan). One villager died in Artsvaberd, three were wounded. Several buildings were damaged. There are hundreds of homes throughout the region which have been completely or partially destroyed by Azeri bombings.

   May 28: On May 27, Armenian border villages in the Taush region and the villages of Movses, Verin Karmir Akhpor and Aigepar in the Ijevan region were shelled with ``grad'' missiles from Azerbaijan. There were casualties and several buildings were damaged.

   June 5: On June 5, an Azeri army unit armed with tanks tried to enter Armenian territory. Although the attack was repelled, four Armenians are missing and it is suspected that they have been taken hostage.

   June 9: On June 9, the regional center of Berd and the Armenian villages of Movses, Tovuz and Verin Karmir Aghbyur were shelled with artillery weapons and ``grads'' missiles from the Tauz region (Azerbaijan). Details are being confirmed.

   June 10: As a result of night shelling with ``grad'' missiles from Tauz region (Azerbaijan) nine people from the regional center Berd were wounded.

   Vaik Region

   June 15: On June 14 and 15, the Armenian villages of Khndzorut and Verin Aznavert were shelled with ``Grad'' missiles, tanks and artillery weapons. Three villagers died, four were wounded.

   June 16: The whole night and the morning on June 16, the Armenian border villages of the Valk, Taush, Ararat and Goris regions of Armenia were shelled with tanks and artillery weapons. Accumulations of the Azeri military equipments is being observed in the Zangelan region (Azerbaijan) and the Ordubad region (Nakhijevan). The possibility of an attempt to conquer the Meghri region (Armenia) is not excluded.

   June 19: On June 19, the Armenian village of Khndzorut and Bardzruni were shelled with tanks and missiles. As of 11 a.m. today, the shelling was still continuing.

   Vardenis Region

   June 2: As a result of the shelling from the Kelbajar region (Azerbaijan), one man died and three were wounded in the settlement of Zod.

   June 4: A mutual agreement has been reached between the Vardenis region (Armenia) and the Kelbajar region (Azerbaijan) regarding ceasefire. However, on June 2, an intensive shooting was heard and seen from the Azeri side.

[Page: S9862]

   Mr. PELL (for Mr. KERRY) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 2532, supra, as follows:

   On page 30, strike lines 1 through 8 and insert in lieu thereof the following:

   ``(c) ASSISTANCE TO AZERBAIJAN.--The President may not provide assistance under this Act or any other provision of law to the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan until the President determines, and so reports to the Congress, that the Government of Azerbaijan--

   ``(1) is taking demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabach;''.

   Explanation: This amendment modifies section 5(c) to enable the President to provide aid to Azerbaijan if he determines that the Government of Azerbaijan is taking demonstrable steps to end blockades and other offensive actions against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabach. The current language requires a total cessation of such blockades and offensive actions. The amendment does not affect other language requiring, as a condition of U.S. aid, that Azerbaijan respect human rights and participate constructively in international efforts to resolve peacefully and permanently the conflict in Nagorno-Karabach.

END

[Page: S9612]
 

[passages omitted]

AMENDMENT NOS. 2686-2696

   Mr. PELL. Mr. President, I send a package of amendments to the desk and ask for their immediate consideration. I ask unanimous consent they be considered en bloc. They include:

   An amendment by Senator KERRY on assistance to Azerbaijan, No. 2686.

[passages omitted]

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.

   The legislative clerk read as follows:

[Page: S9621]

   The Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. PELL] proposes amendments en bloc numbered 2686-2696.

   Mr. PELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

   The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

   The amendments are as follows:

   Amendment No. 2686

   On page 30, strike lines 1 through 8 and insert in lieu thereof the following:

   (c) ASSISTANCE TO AZERBAIJAN.--The President may not provide assistance under this Act of any other provision of law to the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan until the President determines, and so reports to the Congress, that the Government of Azerbaijan--

   (1) is taking demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabach;''

--

[Page: S9931]

The text of S. 2532, a bill entitled the `Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act,' as passed the Senate July 2, 1992, is as follows:

TITLE I--FREEDOM FOR RUSSIA AND EMERGING EURASIAN DEMOCRACIES

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992'.

[passages omitted]

The President may waive the application of the prohibition on assistance contained in this subsection--

(A) in the same manner as such waiver could be exercised under any other provision of law with respect to the same activity; or

(B) if no waiver authority under any other provision of law exists with respect to that activity, then only if the President certifies and justifies in writing to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate that to do so would serve the objectives of this Act.
(c) Assistance To Azerbaijan.--The President may not provide assistance under this Act or any other provision of law to the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan until the President determines, and so reports to the Congress, that the Government of Azerbaijan--

(1) is taking demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabach;

(2) is respecting the internationally recognized human rights of Armenians and other minorities living within its borders; and

(3) is participating constructively in international efforts to resolve peacefully and permanently the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.

[Page: S9933]