52 Members of Congress press Secretary of State to challenge
Azerbaijan’s threats of renewed aggression

armradio.am
16.02.2008 11:37

More than 50 Members of the US House of Representatives called upon
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to challenge Azerbaijan’s threats
of renewed war against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, 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."

In a related matter, the Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen circulated a
letter inviting members of the Caucus to offer public remarks honoring
the 20th anniversary of the Nagorno Karabakh liberation movement. In
their letter, they underscored that, "as Americans, we value and
appreciate the courage shown by the people of Nagorno Karabakh 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 Karabakh,
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 or in February of 1988, the men and women of Nagorno
Karabakh – 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 honoring the birth of the
Nagorno Karabakh freedom movement. In his remarks, the Congressman, who
recently announced his retirement, reminded his colleagues that "On
February 20, 1988, the people of Nagorno Karabakh 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 Karabakh. The people of Nagorno Karabakh 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 Karabakh
in celebrating their continuing freedom and democracy."