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09/29/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Pallone Speaks-out on Azeri War Rhetoric Against Armenia 2) Volunteers Scour Little Armenia Streets 3) Karabagh Moves to Step-up Security of Border Regions. 4) Gul Ties Armenia-Turkish Relations to Karabagh Conflict 5) Hairenik Online Radio Launched 1) Pallone Speaks-out on Azeri War Rhetoric Against Armenia "A failure on our part to forcefully and publicly confront the Azerbaijani government over these destabilizing threats would, in our view, send extremely dangerous signals to Azerbaijan," WASHINGTON, DC (ANCA)--In a powerful statement on the House floor Tuesday evening, Congressional Armenian Caucus Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) spoke about the dangers of the increasing inflammatory Azeri statements against Armenia. As recently as in the past few months, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and his Cabinet Members called for a military takeover of neighboring Armenia and the decimation of its population in the coming decades. In his remarks, Pallone cited statements "made by officials in the government of President Aliyev calling into question the very existence of Armenia. For example, as reported by Radio Free Europe, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman called for Azerbaijan's takeover of the entire territory of Armenia and removal of the entire Armenian population from the Caucasus. He went so far as to say, and I quote, 'Within the next 25 years there will exist no state of Armenia in the South Caucasus.' Given Azerbaijan's history of aggression against Armenians, these remarks can't be dismissed as mere rhetoric." Pallone continued to highlight Azerbaijan's refusal to allow Armenian troops to participate in NATO exercises in Azerbaijan, despite Armenia's willingness to allow similar participation by Azerbaijan in exercises last year. Noting Armenia's ongoing commitment to the "peace process and the terms agreed to in the Key West summit," and "the crucial role that the United States plays in the negotiations over Nagorno-Karabagh," Pallone called on the Administration to take action. "A failure on our part to forcefully and publicly confront the Azerbaijani government over these destabilizing threats would, in our view, send extremely dangerous signals to Azerbaijan," explained the Congressman. Last week, Pallone joined his Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) in urging House Colleagues to ask President Bush to publicly condemn Azerbaijan's war rhetoric and other increasingly bellicose remarks against the Republic of Armenia and Mountainous Karabagh. In a "Dear Colleague" letter sent to the 141 Armenian Caucus members, Pallone and Knollenberg cited the dangers of Azerbaijan's ongoing war statements. The letter to President Bush, which currently has 35 cosigners, states: "Efforts to reinforce stability and reduce the risk of conflict are in the best interests of the United States and the region. The Nagorno Karabakh peace process will achieve nothing if Azerbaijan is allowed to risk war and predict ethnic cleansing with impunity. To this end, we urge that you condemn these remarks and call upon the government of Azerbaijan to desist in making any further threats against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh." HOUSE FLOOR STATEMENT BY CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALLONE, JR. URGING US CONDEMNATION OF RECENT AZERI THREATS AGAINST ARMENIA September 28, 2004 Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring your attention to recent statements made by high-ranking government officials in Azerbaijan that directly and significantly threaten the security of Armenia, as well as efforts towards a peaceful settlement over the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. This issue, if not compellingly addressed by the Administration, has the potential to undermine US interests and American values in the strategically important Caucasus region. I refer to the recent remarks made by officials in the government of President Aliyev calling into question the very existence of Armenia. For example, as reported by Radio Free Europe, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman called for Azerbaijan's takeover of the entire territory of Armenia and removal of the entire Armenian population from the Caucasus. He went so far as to say, and I quote, "Within the next 25 years there will exist no state of Armenia in the South Caucasus." Given Azerbaijan's history of aggression against Armenians, these remarks can't be dismissed as mere rhetoric. Furthermore, Azerbaijan recently blocked key NATO exercises in the country, due to their opposition towards having Armenian officers taking part in the exercises. In fact, in June of 2003, Armenia served as the host country for similar exercises, to which Azerbaijani military forces were invited, yet refused to participate. This year, Armenia was one of several dozen countries due to participate, yet the initiative was blocked by Azerbaijan, who is continuing its efforts to undermine the prospects for peace in the Caucasus region. Azerbaijan's threats against Armenia's survival reinforce our commitment to maintaining parity in US military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan. This arrangement means even more today than when it was first put in place, particularly in light of Baku's increasingly aggressive posture towards Armenia. Any tilt in military spending toward Azerbaijan could, in our view, destabilize the region by emboldening the new Azerbaijani leadership to continue their threats to impose a military solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Just last week, the Republic of Armenia celebrated its 2nd Independence, marking 13 years of freedom from Soviet rule. We have seen considerable economic growth in the country. Despite the continued illegal blockade by Turkey and Azerbaijan, a recent Wall Street Journal study found that Armenia remains the most economically free nation in the region. Today, Armenia is steadfast in its support of the US, as exhibited by their recent announcement of plans to send a unit of deminers, doctors and 50 trucks, including staff and drivers, to assist the coalition forces in Iraq. It is critical to note that Armenia is today, as it has always been, committed to the peace process and the terms agreed to in the Key West summit. Since the beginning of the Nagorno-Karabagh and Azerbaijan conflict, Armenia has been committed to finding a peaceful resolution. Moreover, I can't stress enough, Mr. Speaker, the crucial role that the United States plays in the negotiations over Nagorno-Karabakh, to help the people of this region find a lasting and equitable peace. So, these threats by Azerbaijan undermine these efforts and seriously complicate our diplomacy in the region. A failure on our part to forcefully and publicly confront the Azerbaijani government over these destabilizing threats would, in our view, send extremely dangerous signals to Azerbaijan. So, Mr. Speaker, I hope that the United States takes action to condemn these remarks, and we here, in this Chamber, do everything that we can to ensure that all parties involved in this conflict make a genuine commitment towards peace and stability in the region. 2) Volunteers Scour Little Armenia Streets LITTLE ARMENIA--Hundreds of Armenian youth gathered in Little Armenia Saturday for AYF's 2nd Annual Little Armenia Cleanup. Volunteers from throughout Southern California and even Fresno helped remove thousands of pounds of trash from major streets in Los Angeles known as Little Armenia. Organized by the Armenian Youth Federation and cosponsored by Los Angeles City Councilmember Eric Garcetti's Office, the cleanup attracted volunteers from the public at large and community organizations such as the AYF, Homenetmen Los Angeles Chapter, and the ARF Badanegan Organization. More in-depth coverage of the event will be provided in the upcoming Saturday edition of Asbarez. 3) Karabagh Moves to Step-up Security of Border Regions. STEPANAKERT (Armenpress)The government of Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR) moved to increase its state budget allocation for the tightening of security of its border regions, with stricter regulation of the roads in the coming 2 to 3 years, and reconstruction of highways leading to its borders. These security measures will also include equipping border villages with defense facilities. Public facilities will also be constructed in the remote border regions in order to improve the inhabitant's quality of life. These projects will mostly be state-funded, and are expected to run approximately 4 billion dram, reflecting a 2 billion increase from fiscal year 2004. 4) Gul Ties Armenia-Turkish Relations to Karabagh Conflict NEW YORK (Armenpress)--During their meeting held on the sidelines of the ongoing session of the UN General Assembly, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian and Turkish Counterpart Abdullah Gul, officially announced that they "explored bilateral issues as well as regional concerns." The Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, however, reported that Gul told Oskanian the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations, and its lifting of the blockade of Armenia are tied to a resolution of the Mountainous Karabagh conflict, and can only be discussed after such a resolution is found. 5) Hairenik Online Radio Launched The Hairenik Association, Inc. has launched an online Armenian Radio Station that not only provides a variety of Armenian music online, 24 hours a day, but also makes available news and other interesting information about the Armenian community in the US, Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhk, and the Armenian diaspora. To listen to the Hairenik Online Radio go to: , click on the RADIO button, then choose the player of choice. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. 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