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PRESS RELEASE

July 22, 2009
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: mzachariades@aaainc.org
Phone: (202) 393-3434

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY STATEMENT ON NAGORNO KARABAKH DEVELOPMENTS

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) issued the
following statement in regard to the Nagorno Karabakh peace process:

On the occasion of the July 17-18 meetings of the Presidents of Armenia
and Azerbaijan in Moscow, in regard to the Nagorno Karabakh peace
process, under the auspices of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe Minsk Group (OSCE), the Assembly reiterates its
long-standing position that any resolution must be acceptable to the
people of both Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

The meetings follow the joint declaration by the presidents of the
United States, France and Russia on July 10, at the recent Group of
Eight conference in Italy, in which the presidents instructed the
"mediators to present to the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan an
updated version of the Madrid Document of November 2007, the Co-Chairs’
last articulation of the Basic Principles," and urged the parties to
"resolve the few remaining differences…."

The issues are complex and will require time to reach a solution that is
acceptable to all parties, and most specifically to the citizens of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Throughout the ongoing negotiation process,
and again on July 16, the Armenian Government has stated that no
agreement can be reached without the concurrence of the government and
citizens of Nagorno Karabakh. We fully endorse that policy and urge the
Minsk Group Co-Chairs to ensure that the government of Nagorno Karabakh
joins the negotiation process as soon as possible. We note that the
OSCE Co-Chairs have repeatedly, and as recently as July 8, called for
the inclusion of Nagorno Karabakh.

We urge the United States, in particular, to ensure the fulfillment of
President Barack Obama’s campaign pledge "to work for a lasting and
durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict that is agreeable to
all parties, and based upon America’s founding commitment to the
principles of democracy and self determination." The Assembly also
recalls the leadership of the United States Senate and the passage of
S.J. Res. 178 in 1989, which expressed U.S. support for "the fundamental
rights and the aspirations of the people of Nagorno-Karabagh." Moreover,
the Assembly strongly supports the fundamental rights of the people of
Nagorno Karabakh, and its independence from foreign rule and oppression.
To that end, we support the efforts of the governments of Nagorno
Karabakh and Armenia.

For more than two decades the Assembly has committed its resources to
the pursuit of the just cause of the Armenian people of Nagorno
Karabakh. We have played an instrumental role in Congress, from the
Senate adoption of S.J. Res. 178, to the enactment of Section 907 of the
FREEDOM Support Act, which prohibits U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan until
its dual blockades of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh are lifted. We will
continue to strongly support maximum assistance and aid to Nagorno
Karabakh to further promote its democratic development and overcome the
consequences of Azerbaijan’s aggression.

Therefore, we call upon the presidents of the United States, France and
Russia, whose nations collectively serve as the OSCE’s Minsk Group
co-chairs, to denounce Azerbaijan’s ongoing war rhetoric and its threats
for a resumption of military action. A new war will not only undermine
the peace process, but will also lead to the destabilization of the
South Caucasus.

The Assembly stands united with all Armenians to protect the freedom and
security of the Nagorno Karabakh people in the face of these most
serious external threats. The suffering endured and the sacrifices made
by Armenians since the Armenian Genocide deserves nothing less.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c) (3)
tax-exempt membership organization.

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NR#2009-060