1 Attachment 3
STAFF REPORT
DATE: March 16, 2021
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Judie Wilke, Assistant City Manager
BY: Christine Alles, Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Recognizing the Independence of the Republic of Artsakh
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURB ANK RECOGNIZING THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH.
BACKGROUND
Artsakh, also known as Nagorno- Karabakh, lies in the South Cauc asus adjacent to Armenia and Azerbaijan. Although Artsakh consists of a majority ethnic Armenian population, it is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. Under the Soviet Union, the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) was established and placed within the boundaries of Soviet Azerbaijan. From the 1930’s through the 1970’s, the government of NKAO repeatedly and unsuccessfully petitioned the Soviet Union (USSR) to integrate with the Armenian SSR. With the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a People’s Referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh established the de-facto Republic of Artsakh, which has economic, political, and military ties to Armenia.
This declaration of independence prompted a war between Armenia and Azerbaijan , ending with a ceasefire that has largely been upheld since 1994 . In September 2020 hostilities broke out between Turkish -backed Azeri troops and Armenian and Artsakh military forces over the disputed territory and escalated into a 44-day war that resulted in the loss of 6,500 lives, including 150 civilians. Since November 2020, a tenuous peace in the region holds, monitored by Russian peacekeeping troops.
In October 2020, C ity Council adopted a Resolution condemning Azerbaijan’s military aggression (Resolution No. 20- 29,188). At the March 2, 2021 Council meeting, City CITY MANAGER’S
OFFICE
2 Council unanimously voted to direct staff to bring back a resolution for Council consideration recognizing the independence of the Republic of Artsakh.
DISCUSSION
Following the ceasefire agreement last November, the de -facto Republic of Artsakh continues to function, yet its official status remains undetermined during continued peace talks. While none of the United Nations (UN) member states currently recognize Artsakh as an independent country, several regional and local governing bodies worldwide have expressed support for the Republic and recognized its self -governance. Currently, ten U.S. states formally recognize Artsakh as a sovereign state, including California.
In 2014, the California Legislature adopted Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 32 supporting Nagorno-Karabakh’s efforts to develop as a free and independent nation and urging U.S. recognition of the Republic. S everal jurisdictions in Los Angeles County, including the cities of Glendale, Los Angeles, and West Hollywood, have adopted similar resolutions re cognizing or reaffirming support for Artsakh as a free and independent country and calling upon the United States and Congress to likewise recognize the independence of the Republic for the purpose of bringing peace and stability to the region.
On February 18, 2021, Congressman Adam Schiff submitted a letter (Attachment 2) to the City Council reiterating his support for U.S. recognition of the independent Republic of Artsakh, stating, “My view then and now was that doing so would be consistent with our support for democracy and the inherent right to self -determination. I continue to believe the United States should move towards recognition of Artsakh as an independent nation.” The Council has further received letters from California State Senator Anthony J.
Portantino and California Assembly Member Laura Friedman voicing their support for recognition of Artsakh.
Staff recommends Council adopt the proposed resolution recognizing the efforts of Artsakh’s democratically elected government towards sovereignty and self-determination and supporting Congressman Schiff’s call for the United States to recognize the Republic of Artsakh as an independent nation.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
CONCLUSION
Over the last century, the population of Nagorno- Karabakh has continuously striven towards self-determination. With the loss of thousands of lives and the displacement of thousands more, the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh has had far-reaching impacts on the South Caucasus as well as Armenian communities around the world, including those in Burbank and the Southern California region. Recognition of the independence of Artsakh and support for U.S. recognition of the Republic can further contribute to efforts by the international community to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
3 ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK
RECOGNIZING THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF
ARTSAKH
Attachment 2 – Letters from Burbank’s Federal and State Representatives