Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
52 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS PRESS SECRETARY OF STATE TO
CHALLENGE AZERBAIJAN’S THREATS OF RENEWED AGGRESSION
— Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Invite Members to Mark 20th
Anniversary of Nagorno Karabagh’s Liberation Movement
WASHINGTON, DC – More than 50 Members of the U.S. House of
Representatives called upon Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
today to challenge Azerbaijan’s threats of renewed war against
Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh, and to take concrete action to hold
leaders in Baku accountable for actions that directly undermine the
Administration’s policy of fostering peace and stability in the
South Caucasus region, reported the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA).
The letter, initiated by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen
Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), cited specific
recent threats by Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and stressed
that, "these fear tactics and threats of war go directly against
the United States’ goal of peace and stability in the South
Caucasus region. Azerbaijan has been threatening war with Armenia
for years. However, these recent public comments made by high-
ranking government officials prove that their rhetoric has turned
into a very real and dangerous threat."
The signatories of the letter, in addition to Reps. Pallone and
Knollenberg, were: Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL),
Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Jerry Costello (D-IL),
Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Danny Davis (D-IL), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX),
Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Elton
Gallegly (R-CA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Charles Gonzalez (D-TX),
Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Rush Holt (D-NJ),
Michael Honda (D-CA), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Mark Kirk (R-IL),
James Langevin (D-RI), Sander Levin (D-MI), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL),
Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Carolyn Maloney (D-
NY), Edward Markey (D-MA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Thaddeus McCotter
(R-MI), James McGovern (D-MA), Buck McKeon (R-CA), Michael McNulty
(D-NY), Candice Miller (R-MI), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Colin
Peterson (D-MN), George Radanovich (R-CA), Mike Rogers (R-MI),
Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Bobby Rush (D-IL), Paul Ryan (R-WI), John
Sarbanes (D-MD), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Shays (R-CT), Brad
Sherman (D-CA), Mark Souder (R-IN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim
Walz (D-MN), Diane Watson (D-CA), Anthony Weiner (D-NY), and Albert
Wynn (D-MD).
The complete text of the letter to Secretary Rice follows.
In a related matter, the Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen yesterday
circulated a letter inviting members of the Caucus to offer public
remarks honoring the 20th anniversary of the Nagorno Karabagh
liberation movement. In their letter, they underscored that, "as
Americans, we value and appreciate the courage shown by the people
of Nagorno Karabagh in standing up for democracy and sparking the
popular movements that spread throughout the Soviet Republics and
the Warsaw Pact, and eventually brought down the Soviet empire. We
commemorate this movement not only for the liberty it brought to
the people of Nagorno Karabagh, but also for the profound
contribution it made to helping to create a safer world." They
added that, "in the two decades since this historic movement began
on on or in???? February of 1988, the men and women of Nagorno
Karabagh – in the face of aggression, blockade, and other truly
daunting challenges – have built a vibrant democracy, fostered a
free market economy, and constructively engaged with the
international community to advance regional peace and cooperation."
Congressman Michael McNulty, a longstanding and highly regarded
Armenian Caucus member, issued a statement yesterday honoring the
birth of the Nagorno Karabagh freedom movement. In his remarks,
the Congressman, who recently announced his retirement, reminded
his colleagues that "On February 20, 1988, the people of Nagorno
Karabagh officially petitioned the Soviet government to reunite
with Armenia and reverse the injustice perpetrated by the Soviet
dictator, Joseph Stalin. This peaceful and legal request was met
with violent reaction by the Soviet and Azerbaijani leadership and
escalated into full military aggression against Nagorno Karabagh.
The people of Nagorno Karabagh bravely defended their right to live
in freedom on their ancestral land. Today, Nagorno Karabakh
continues to strengthen its statehood with a democratically elected
government, a capable defense force, and an independent foreign
policy. I stand with the people of Nagorno Karabagh in celebrating
their continuing freedom and democracy."
#####
TEXT OF CONGRESSIONAL LETTER TO SECRETARY RICE
February 15, 2008
The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington D.C., 20520
Dear Secretary Rice:
We write to encourage you to hold the government of Azerbaijan
accountable for the recent vitriolic comments made by Azeri
President Ilham Aliyev in regard to the conflict over Nagorno-
Karabakh. It is important the United States condemn these comments
that go directly against the United States stated policy in the
South Caucasus region.
It was reported that during a meeting with his cabinet ministers
President Ilham Aliyev stated, "In 2008 we will see, if the
conflict could be solved by peaceful means, or not and after that
we will make decisions" in regard to the ongoing conflict with
Armenia over the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. President Aliyev went
on to take pride in the fact that his government has completely
isolated Armenia from regional projects and will continue to
isolate them until "they voluntarily leave our territories."
Furthermore, President Aliyev was quoted at the opening of a sports
facility that "The war has not ended yet, it is just its first
stage that has finished."
These fear tactics and threats of war go directly against the
United States’ goal of peace and stability in the South Caucasus
region. Azerbaijan has been threatening war with Armenia for
years. However, these recent public comments made by high-ranking
government officials prove that their rhetoric has turned into a
very real and dangerous threat.
Armenia continues to be a strong ally of the United States. They
have supported our efforts in Iraq by sending Armenian troops to
the country, they have expressed interest in sending troops to
Afghanistan, and they continue to strive for peace with their
neighbors. Furthermore, Armenia continues to advocate for a
peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
We implore you to challenge the Azeri government on their comments
and ask that you advocate for a retraction of the comments made by
President Aliyev.
Sincerely,