Armenian National Committee of America
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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

CONGRESSIONAL ARMENIAN CAUCUS CO-CHAIRS OPPOSE AZERBAIJANI EFFORT
AT UN TO DISRUPT KARABAGH PEACE PROCESS

— Urge Secretary Powell to “Renounce” and “Secure Retraction” of
Proposed UN Initiative

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) have urged Secretary of
State Colin Powell to take decisive action against a UN
resolution, introduced by Azerbaijan, which could seriously
undermine the Nagorno Karabagh peace process, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).

In a November 7th letter to the Secretary of State, the Caucus Co-
Chairs expressed concern about the “ill-advised” resolution on the
“situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan,” stating
that:

“This intentionally disruptive resolution threatens the principles
and procedures of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE) as well as the Minsk group mediation effort, co-
chaired by the United States, France and Russia, to resolve the
Karabakh conflict.”

The letter from the Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs goes on to state
that: “Efforts to reinforce stability and reduce the risk of
conflict are in the best interests of the U.S. and the South
Caucasus region. To this end, we urge that the United States
forcefully renounce this proposal, secure its retraction, and
impress upon the Azerbaijani government that it should drop such
counter-productive tactics in favor of a serious and lasting
commitment to the OSCE Minsk Group process.”

“We want to thank the Co-Chairmen of the Armenian Issues Caucus –
Frank Pallone and Joe Knollenberg – from drawing the urgent
attention of Secretary Powell to the threat that Azerbaijan’s
efforts at the United Nations to manipulate the Nagorno Karabagh
issue pose to U.S. interests in the stability of the Caucasus
region,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We share
the concerns they raised in their letter and are also urging the
State Department to take decision action against destructive
measures, such as this, that only foster greater divisiveness and
set back the cause of peace in this important part of the world.”

On October 14th, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UN, Yashar
Aliyev, submitted a letter requesting that a resolution, which
would restrict the repatriation of Armenians to their homes in
Nagorno Karabagh, be included on UN General Assembly agenda.
Prior to its consideration by the international panel, Rep. Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) urged U.S. Ambassador to the UN John Danforth to
oppose the measure, citing the negative ramifications on the
Karabagh Peace process. The OSCE Minsk Group Cochairs issued a
statement on October 27th, noting that “introducing this issue to
the United Nations General Assembly may have two negative
consequences. In light of the situation we have outlined, this
will be detrimental to the efforts to find a just and lasting
settlement of the issue, particularly at this time. Secondly, it
will fail to achieve consensus, a situation that will not be
helpful. We advise avoiding this situation.” Despite these
efforts, on October 29th, the UN General Assembly voted in support
of the request during their regular session.

The complete text of the Knollenberg/Pallone letter to Secretary
Powell is provided below:

November 7, 2004
The Honorable Colin Powell
Secretary of State
Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20520-0001

Dear Mr. Secretary:

We are writing to share with you our alarm over the prospect that
Azerbaijan’s continued efforts at the United Nations to manipulate
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict will, if unchecked, undermine our
clearly articulated national interest in the stability of the
Caucasus.

We refer, of course, to Azerbaijan’s recent introduction of an ill-
advised resolution on the “situation in the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan.” This intentionally disruptive resolution threatens
the principles and procedures of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as well as the Minsk group mediation
effort, co-chaired by the United States, France and Russia, to
resolve the Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan’s proposal represents a
hostile declaration against the entire peace process, aimed only at
fostering increased divisiveness. Its consideration can only set
back the cause of peace.

We are deeply concerned that the OSCE Minsk process cannot survive
Azerbaijan’s destabilizing tactics. Continued tampering with this
process will inevitably produce a chain reaction resulting in its
demise. We cannot afford to allow Azerbaijan to continue to
disrupt the work of the OSCE, which, as you know, has been
recognized by the UN itself as the lead arbiter in this conflict.

We value the vital role the United States plays as an honest broker
in the Nagorno Karabakh peace process. In this capacity, given our
commitment to keep the parties talking and moving forward, it is
necessary for the United States to act forcefully against
destabilizing steps that will unravel the peace process. Our
interests are best served by the continuation of dialogue on the
outstanding issues related to Nagorno Karabakh within the OSCE
framework, not by the fragmentation of this orderly process.

Efforts to reinforce stability and reduce the risk of conflict are
in the best interests of the U.S. and the South Caucasus region.
To this end, we urge that the United States forcefully renounce
this proposal, secure its retraction, and impress upon the
Azerbaijani government that it should drop such counter-productive
tactics in favor of a serious and lasting commitment to the OSCE
Minsk Group process.

Thank you for your consideration of our views. We stand ready, of
course, to assist you in addressing this matter in the interest of
the American people.

Sincerely,

Joe Knollenberg Frank Pallone, Jr.
Member of Congress Member of Congress

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