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ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY INTERNS DISCUSS KEY ISSUES IN ARMENIA AND ARTSAKH WITH HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, REP. ED ROYCE

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Photo Caption: Armenian Assembly Terjenian-Thomas Internship Program class of 2017 with House Foreign Affairs Chairman Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA-39).

By Lidia Nalbandyan, Armenian Assembly of America Intern

 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) summer interns had the opportunity to meet with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and discuss important policy issues relevant to Armenia and Artsakh.
 
Chairman Royce represents Southern California’s 39th Congressional District. Earlier this year he headlined the Assembly’s gala in Newport Beach honoring the 40th anniversary of the Terjenian-Thomas internship program, where he awarded Ken Khachigian, a former speechwriter for President Ronald Reagan, with a Congressional Certificate of Recognition.  
Rep. Royce has been a champion in bringing awareness to Armenian issues in Congress. During his meeting with Assembly interns, Rep. Royce briefly spoke about the critical situation in Artsakh and the dire need for a peaceful resolution. He mentioned the importance of increasing international cooperation to monitor the line of contact, emphasizing that the OSCE Minsk Group should abandon its failed policy of false parity in responding to acts of aggression.
Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY) spearheaded a letter in 2015 to former OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Ambassador James Warlick, urging him to “publicly condemn specific acts of aggression along the line of contact.” The bipartisan letter calls for (1) an agreement from all sides not to deploy snipers along the line of contact; (2) the placement of OSCE-monitored, advanced gunfire-locator systems and sound-ranging equipment to determine the source of attacks along the line of contact; and (3) the deployment of additional OSCE observers along the line of contact to better monitor cease-fire violations.
As a strong advocate for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Chairman Royce has supported numerous Armenian Genocide resolutions in Congress. In the meeting, he discussed the recently released Hollywood film about the Armenian Genocide, called “The Promise.” He described the film as an important step in bringing awareness to larger audiences about this tragic event. Additionally, he emphasized that it can also serve as a great educational resource for future generations.
“Chairman Royce provided us with his insightful opinions on Armenian issues, including recognition of the Armenian Genocide and U.S. efforts to encourage a peaceful resolution of the Artsakh conflict. It is reassuring to know that he is so committed to U.S.-Armenia relations, as well as the safety of citizens of Armenia and Artsakh,” said Mateos Hayes, a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, who is currently a Congressional Affairs intern at the Assembly.