12:35, 6 October, 2020
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 6, ARMENPRESS. US Congressman Chris Smith says Turkey is providing military support to Azerbaijan in the latter’s military operations against Artsakh.
In an interview to the Russian service of the Voice of America, the Congressman said there is a lot of evidence on this, but a deeper investigation is needed, especially over fighter jets which are being used, and there are opinions that these jets are provided by Turkey. “When we have a presence of several thousands of jihadists, it’s not a coincidence, it has been pre-planned. We believe that Turkey again played a role in this. People are being killed. Although the activity of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs has not given the desirable outcome, it has made great efforts. I think when Aliyev was refusing to negotiate, he was relying on the priority military force. We need to strongly react to this”, he said.
The Congressman stated that the use of force should be stopped. He highlighted the need to suspend also the military funding and support to Azerbaijan. “We need to revise our relations also with Turkey. Let’s remember Turkey’s actions in Cyprus. They continue acting in the same way after the illegal occupation of Cyprus. The fact that it had happened years ago doesn’t mitigate that terrible act. Turkey is moving on a wrong direction. I have organized two Congressional hearings on the Armenian Genocide. The one related to the 100th anniversary of the Genocide committed against Armenians, and the other one was back during the Clinton presidency”, he said, adding that he always remembers the attendance of a Turkish diplomat to the hearings. Both sides were represented. The Turkish side threatened with the Incirlik airbase if the US adopts resolution on the recognition of the Genocide.
Coming to the ongoing military aggression of Azerbaijan against Artsakh, the US Congressman said the situation is that Turkey is providing military support to Azerbaijan. “Our message is to stop. The bloodshed should stop immediately. A NATO member should not act in this way. This may turn into a broader confrontation. It is necessary to return to the 1994 ceasefire, and then to find a formula for the settlement. This is no longer a frozen conflict like many try to present very often”, he said.
On September 27, 2020, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against the Republic of Artsakh, targeting also the civilian settlements, including the capital Stepanakert and the city of Shushi. In addition, the Azerbaijani armed forces have also targeted Armenia’s military and civilian infrastructures.
21 civilians in Artsakh and Armenia were killed, 80 were wounded as a result of the Azerbaijani aggression.
219 servicemen and volunteers have been killed in Artsakh from the Azerbaijani attacks.
Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan