Washington, DC -  Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) raised key policy issues during today's Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing of Ambassador-Designate Matthew Bryza reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).
 
The hearing also coincided with the International Court of Justice ruling regarding the validity of Kosovo's independence. During the hearing, most if not all of the concerns raised in the Assembly's May 27th letter to Committee Members were raised. Presiding over the hearing, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) began her round of questions by asking nominee Bryza to respond to her constituents' concerns, including accusations regarding his close ties to senior Azerbaijani officials. Bryza indicated that he maintains professional relationships with not only Azeri officials, but also with those in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Bryza also assured the Committee that his wedding was not funded by outside sources. Senator Shaheen then raised concerns regarding freedom of the press in Azerbaijan and the case of the two jailed bloggers. Bryza indicated that if confirmed, civil liberties, especially media freedom, would be a top priority. 

Senator Boxer lead the charge on a series of key issues, which were included in the Assembly's Fact Sheet on Azerbaijan that was provided to Committee Members prior to the hearing, including: Azerbaijan's war rhetoric and military escalation; the June 18th Azeri attack resulting in the death of four Armenian soldiers; the importance of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act; and the destruction of a centuries-old Armenian cemetery in Julfa by Azerbaijani soldiers. Boxer pressed Bryza for answers and in several instances did not feel that Bryza answered her questions directly, including her questions regarding the need for Section 907.  Senator Boxer also urged condemnation of Azerbaijan's war mongering in the strongest of terms.

Bryza stated that "there is no military solution" to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and reaffirmed U.S. policy in support of the three equal pillars of the Helsinki Final Act: non-use of force or the threat of force, the principle of territorial integrity, and equal rights and self determination of peoples.  

In addition, Senator Boxer raised concerns about the slow pace of U.S. funding to Nagorno Karabakh and requested a full detailed report thereof.  

"We applaud Senator Boxer for seeking to ensure that the next Ambassador to Azerbaijan forcefully condemn Azerbaijan's military aggression against the people of Nagorno Karabakh," stated Daron Hovannesian, Assembly summer intern from California who was present at the hearing.

Senator Menendez asked nominee Bryza if he had played any role in the firing of former Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, of which Bryza indicated that he played "absolutely no role."  Menendez also raised concerns about Azerbaijan's desecration of an ancient Armenian cemetery in Julfa. Bryza reiterated the points he made in response to Senator Boxer in that he immediately contacted the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan and also publicly condemned the act. However, Menendez pressed Bryza on why it took three months to issue a statement, and asked Bryza to provide all public statements made for the record. 

Menendez also took on Azerbaijan's continued threats of war and actual provocation in June and pointed out that this is contrary to seeking peace and reconciliation.  In responding to Senator Menendez' questions in this regard, Bryza indicated that he "couldn't agree more."  

Senator Menendez also asked the nominee to clarify his comments with respect to the principles of self-determination and territorial integrity.  Bryza again emphasized that all 3 principles of the Helsinki Final Act are given equal weight and that the U.S. seeks to facilitate a mutually negotiated settlement among the parties to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict based on these principles.  Bryza also indicated, in response to Senator Menendez' questions, that any final solution must involve the people of Nagorno Karabakh.  In fact, Bryza specifically stated that: "it's impossible to reach a mutually agreed settlement that includes the views of the people who are the subject of the settlement, the residents of Nagorno Karabakh, if their views are not taken into account."

In Bryza's prepared statement, he indicated:

I also look forward, if confirmed, to helping advance a peaceful Nagorno Karabakh settlement. There can be no military solution to this long-standing conflict; rather, negotiation and dialogue hold the key to resolving this issue and bringing peace and stability to the Caucasus region. I am proud of the vibrant partnership my Russian and French counterparts and I developed as Co-Chairs of the OSCE's Minsk Group and the work we did together to try and bring Azerbaijan and Armenia closer to a negotiated solution based on the principles contained in the Helsinki Final Act, specifically those related to refraining from the threat or use of force, the territorial integrity of States, and the equal rights and self-determination of peoples.

"The opportunity to attend today's hearing will be one that I remember for years to come.  The questions raised with respect to nominee Bryza were on point. I only wish that the Senators had more time to ask questions, including what if any role British Petroleum has played in enabling the rapid build up of Azerbaijan's military," stated Assembly summer intern Adrian Stepanian.

In concluding the hearing, Senator Shaheen indicated that she looked forward to a "speedy confirmation" and having the Committee work with each of the nominees in their future posts.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.  

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Editor's Note: Matthew Bryza's written testimony is available here.