1 Attachment 2
STAFF REPORT
DATE: October 13, 2020
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Judie Wilke, Assistant City Manager
BY: Christine Alles, Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: Consideration of a Resolution Condemn ing Azerbaijani Aggression in Artsakh
RECOMMENDATION
Provide direction to staff on how to proceed with a City Council request to consider a resolution to condemn Azerbaijani aggression in Artsakh.
BACKGROUND
On September 29, 2020 Council Member Murphy requested a first step report to discuss a City Council resolution to condemn Azerbaijani a ggression in Artsakh, a disputed territory situated between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Following the fall of the Soviet Union, Artsakh, also known as Nargorno- Karabakh, has been un der the control of the de facto Artsakh Republic which has economic, political, and military ties to Armenia. While the predominant ethnic group is Armenian, Artsakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. From 1988 -1994 Azerbaijan and Armenia went to war over the disputed territory, and the Organization for Security and Co- operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, whose members include th e United States, was created in 1992 to help resolve the conflict between the two neighboring nations . Although tensions i n the region are decades old, and while a ceasefire has largely prevailed since 1994, armed hostilities broke out the last week of September. Azerbaijan launched long-range artillery on several cities within the Nagorno- Karabakh region, including the capital city of Stepanakert and Burbank’s Friendship City of Hadrut . Reports indicate Armenia has shelled Azerbaijani cities outside the conflict zone, including its second largest city, Ganja. H undreds of civilian casualties have been incurred on both sides. E xacerbating the situation, Turkey is purportedly providing military support to Azerbaijan in the form of infantry, weapons, and training.
CITY MANAGER’S
OFFICE
2 DISCUSSION
In recent weeks, several demonstrations against the violence in Artsakh have occurred throughout the Los Angeles area, including Burbank. The City Councils of Glendale and Los Angeles have approved Resolutions (Attachments 1 & 2) condem ning Azerbaijan’s military aggression in Artsakh, including the shelling of the region’s capital city, Stepanakert. Both resolutions call for the White House to condemn Azerbaijan’s aggression, demand a cessation of hostilities, cut off military aid to Azerbaijan, and work with the Minsk Group to establish peace. Glendale’s Resolution further calls for the issuance of a warning to Turkey to stop all military aid to Azerbaijan.
On October 1
st, Representative Speier introduced House Res olution (H. Res) 1165 (Attachment 3), of which Burbank’s Congressional representatives, Adam Schiff and Brad Sherman are co- authors. H. Res 1165 c ondemns Azerbaijan’s military operations in Artsakh, denounces Turkey’s reported participation in the conflict, supports an immediate return to the ceasefire agreement, and reaffirms support for efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to resolve the regional conflict. LA County Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Hilda Solis issued a letter of support for H. Res 1165 (Attachment 4).
The Armenian National Congress of America, Burbank Chapter, has called for City Council to issue a resolution condemning the latest aggression and loss of life in Artsakh, as well as divest any current or future investments of city funds in any investment vehicles with direct or indirect relations to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Based on the City’s Investment Policy adopted on May 19, 2020, the City does not invest in bonds issued by the countries of Turkey and Azerbaijan, nor doe s the City invest in bonds issued by any corporations organized and operating within those countries.
In the past, Council has not taken a stance on international conflicts or issues that do not have a direct impact on the City of Burbank. Therefore, in response to the current conflict in Artsakh, Council may consider the following options:
1. Take no action.
2. Consider a resolution in similar form to those issued by the cities of Glendale and Los Angeles. Staff will return with a resolution for Council adoption at the October 27 th Council meeting.
3. Direct staff to draft and issue a letter of support from the City Council for H. Res. 1165.
4. Provide letters of support for H. Res 1165 from individual Council Members.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
CONCLUSION
Staff seeks City Council direction on how to proceed with Council Member Murphy’s request. While City Council has not taken action in the past on international matters, 3 Council may choose to consider a resolution con demning Azeri aggression in Artsakh and/or issuance of a letter in support of H. Res 1165.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment 1 – Resolution of the Council of the City of Glendale, State of California, Standing in Solidarity with the People of Armenia and Artsakh to Condemn Azerbaijan’s Aggression
Attachment 2 – Resolution of the Council of the City of Los Angeles
Attachment 3 – House Resolution (H. Res) 1165
Attachment 4 – Letter of Support for H. Res 1165 from Los Angeles County Supervisors, Kathryn Barger and Hilda Solis