Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email anca@anca.org
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
March 5, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA WARNS CONGRESS ABOUT AZERBAIJANI ATTACKS
— Encourages Legislators to Help Deter Renewed Violence;
Foster Peaceful, Democratic Growth in a Vital Region
WASHINGTON, DC – In the wake of renewed threats this week against
Nagorno Karabagh by Azerbaijan’s President and yesterday’s military
attack by the Azerbaijani military against defensive positions in
the Mardakert region in northern Nagorno Karabagh, the Armenian
National Committee (ANCA) alerted members of Congress and the
broader Washington, DC foreign policy community to the growing
danger that Azerbaijan represents to U.S. interests in maintaining
peace and stability in the Caucasus region.
According to Reuters news agency, Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev, known for his inflammatory anti-Armenian rhetoric, stated
yesterday that, "We have been buying military machinery, airplanes
and ammunition to be ready to liberate the occupied territories and
we are ready to do this." These statements were accompanied by
renewed attacks by the Azerbaijani army in the area of Levonarkh in
Mardakert, leading to as many as eight deaths. The Nagorno
Karabagh Foreign Ministry has asked that the "OSCE launch a
comprehensive investigation of the incident, give an official
political evaluation of the Azeri authorities’ actions, as well as
conduct an immediate crisis-monitoring in the incident zone, in
order to prevent similar violations in future."
In letters circulated yesterday afternoon to Congressional offices,
the ANCA called on Senators and Representatives to voice their
support for Nagorno Karabagh’s democratic progress and development,
to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its belligerent rhetoric and
aggressive actions, and to promote peace by expanding the level of
dialogue between the U.S. and Nagorno Karabagh. The requests
submitted by the ANCA to Members of Congress in response to these
latest developments are outlined in a set of four one-page briefing
documents:
* Honoring Nagorno Karabagh’s Democracy Movement
mocracy_030308.pdf
* Expanding Dialogue with Nagorno Karabagh
alogue_030308.pdf
* Promoting Development in Nagorno Karabagh
velopment_030308.pdf
* Holding Azerbaijan Accountable
_azerbaijan_030308.pdf
Supporters of Nagorno Karabagh seeking to educate their elected
representatives in Washington, DC regarding these issues can send a
free ANCA WebFax by visiting:
rtid=11070181&type=CO