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US Response and InvolvementSince the early days of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the United States has been actively engaged in the effort to put an end to fighting and facilitate a resolution of the conflict. In 1989, the U.S. Senate passed, a resolution highlighting America’s support for the fundamental rights and the aspirations of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh generally, and for a peaceful and fair settlement to the dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh specifically (S.J. Res. 178). The United States is also actively involved in the conflict mediation and settlement process. Along with Russia and France, the USA co-chaired the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Since 1992, it is a main vehicle for the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict that has sought to mediate a durable peace settlement. The Group has been coming forward with a series of proposals to solve the crisis, but subsequent talks still do not result in a final peace agreement. The U.S. Congress has also addressed the Karabakh conflict through the annual foreign operations appropriations process. In 1992, Congress restricted U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan (known as the Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act), over Azerbaijan’s brutal military campaign against Nagorno Karabakh. After allowing for a national security waiver of this provision in 2001, Congress insisted that any security-related assistance to Azerbaijan must not be used against Armenians. Since then members of Congress has worked to maintain a balance in security assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan. In addition, the U.S. Congress repeatedly appropriated funds for confidence-building measures in the Caucasus, particularly in view to settle the Karabakh conflict. Similarly, Members of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues continue to circulate numerous “Dear Colleague” letters and deliver speeches on the House and Senate floors in which they reaffirm their support for a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. These Members also praise the determination of the Karabakh people to maintain their independence. The people and the government of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic are grateful to the United States for its efforts on Nagorno Karabakh issue. Moreover, our government shares the desire of the USA to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict through the OSCE peace process, since we believe that a peaceful and economically integrated South Caucasus will bring stability, economic prosperity and increased opportunity for all peoples of the region.
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