Anca Calls Upon U.S. Congress To Counter Azerbaijani Aggression And

ANCA CALLS UPON U.S. CONGRESS TO COUNTER AZERBAIJANI AGGRESSION AND CUT ARMS SALES TO BAKU

12:20, 20 February, 2013

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Americans mark the ninth
anniversary of the murder of Armenian Lt. Gurgen Margaryan with calls
upon Congress to counter Azerbaijani aggression and cut arms sales
to Baku. As reported Armenpress, referring to The Armenian National
Committee of America, on the occasion of the ninth anniversary of
the brutal axe-murder of Armenian Army Lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan
by Azerbaijani Lt. Ramil Safarov, ANCA expanded an outreach campaign
to the Washington, DCforeign policy community about Azerbaijani’s
escalating threats of war, destabilizing arms build-up, and ongoing
threats to peace

“Lieutenant Margaryan’s premeditated and brutal murder nine years ago,
and, more recently, President Aliyev’s pardon, praise, and promotion of
his unrepentant killer, Ramil Safarov, reflect and reinforce the very
same toxic, anti-Armenian hatred that fueled the Azerbaijani pogroms in
Sumgait, Kirovabad, Maragha, and Baku,” said ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian. “It is this officially-sanctioned hatred that would
surely – if Artaskh were ever to fall into Aliyev’s angry grasp –
lead to an all-out drive by Baku to destroy the entire Armenian
population of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.”

Lt. Margaryan was axed to death in his sleep on February 19, 2004,
by Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov, during a NATO-sponsored English
language training program. The convicted murderer, who confessed and
never expressed regret for his offense, was extradited by Hungary in
2012 to Azerbaijan, where he was immediately given a hero’s welcome,
pardoned, promoted and financially rewarded for his hate crime.

TheU.S. condemned the action, with an immediate White House statement,
issued in the name of National Security Council Spokesman Tommy
Vietor, underscoring the President’s view that, “This action is
contrary to ongoing efforts to reduce regional tensions and promote
reconciliation.” Similar statements were issued by Members of Congress
and elected officials around the world.

A detailed ANCA overview of Azerbaijani aggression against its
Armenian population in Sumgait, Kirovabadand Baku as well as concrete
ways Congress can assist in the peaceful resolution of the Karabakh
conflict.

Can be viewed here:

From: A. Papazian