STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR NEWS BRIEFING

Congressional Quarterly
Feb 26 2007

SPEAKER: ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS SEAN MCCORMACK

[parts omitted]

QUESTION: Sean, I wanted to ask a question about the letter over the
Hill (ph) on behalf of the Azerbaijani community of the United States
to Secretary Rice. The community commemorates tragic (inaudible)
events, Azerbaijani side calls it a genocide.

I believe the community hopes for more active role of the U.S. in
resolution of Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict.

QUESTION: Do you have response to that letter yet?

MCCORMACK: I understand that there was a letter delivered and that
the United States deeply regrets the tragic events that transpired in
Khojali 15 years ago and condemns all such attacks on civilians. We
send our condolences to the families and friends of the victims of
that tragedy.

In order to prevent any further loss of life, it is vital that a
peaceful and just solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict be found
as soon as possible.

The United States recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and
remains committed to helping facilitate a negotiated settlement as
one of the three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.

QUESTION: On the same subject, the situation on the occupied
territories of Azerbaijan is on the U.N. General Assembly agenda this
year. Do you know what would be the position of the United States
during this discussion?

MCCORMACK: We’ll have to get back to you. I’m not aware off the top
of my head what that would be.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress