Final US 2022 defense bill calls for immediate release of all POWs

YEREVAN, December 8, /ARKA/. The United States House on Monday night approved the 2022 annual defense Bill that authorizes a topline funding of $768 billion for defense and national security with $740 billion designated for the Department of Defense — which was $25 billion more for the Pentagon than President Biden had requested.
The Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) welcomed the language in the final version of the Bill calling for the immediate "release of all prisoners of war and captured civilians" unlawfully held by Azerbaijan.
The Bill requires a report regarding last fall's war against the Armenian people launched by Azerbaijan with the full support of Turkey.
The report must include: (1) "an assessment of the use of United States weapons systems or controlled technology that were employed;" (2) "a description of the foreign actors in the conflict," including "military activities" and efforts "to recruit or employ foreign fighters;" and (3) any violations of the November 9, 2020 trilateral statement "including the detention of prisoners of war."
The Bill also states that it is the sense of Congress that (1) the November 9th trilateral statement and obligations under international law be adhered to; (2) the importance of refraining from "the use of force and threats to use force;" and that (3) the United States should redouble its engagement "with the Minsk Group, to make clear the importance of adhering to these obligations and advance diplomatic progress."
"The language in the conferenced bill makes it clear that Azerbaijan must immediately release all POWs still held hostage," stated Assembly Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan.
"The report will shed further light on Azerbaijan and Turkey’s aggression against the Armenian people," she added. "We appreciate the efforts and support of Members in the House and Senate who have been with us every step of the way," Khaloyan concluded. -0-