Armenian National Committee of America
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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
U.S. HOUSE CALLS ON AZERBAIJAN TO HOLD FREE ELECTIONS
— ANCA Welcomes Effort to Press Baku to
Meet International Democratic Standards
“Our measure is necessary after Azerbaijan
disenfranchised its citizens and made a mockery
of its promises to the international community
to hold a free and fair presidential election
in October 2003.” — Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA)
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
welcomed the adoption today of legislation in U.S. House calling on
Azerbaijan to hold free and fair parliamentary elections this November.
The measure, introduced by Congressman Elton Gallegly, Chairman of the
International Relations Subcommittee on Europe, raises serious concerns
about patterns of Azerbaijani government voter fraud, intimidation,
and restrictions on the opposition. It was adopted by vote of 416 to
1 this evening under the suspension calendar.
“We want to thank Chairman Gallegly for his leadership in securing
the adoption of this timely and important legislation encouraging
free and fair elections in Azerbaijan,” said ANCA Executive Director
Aram Hamparian. “For the people of Azerbaijan, democratic elections
will provide a long overdue opportunity to live under a government
of their own choosing; for Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh, free and
fair elections will hopefully help Azerbaijan transform itself into
a better neighbor and more reliable partner in the search for peace.”
Speaking in favor of the resolution during debate on the House
floor earlier this week were several members of the International
Relations Committee, including its Ranking Democrat Tom Lantos (D-
CA). In his remarks, the San Francisco Democrat stressed that, “our
measure is necessary after Azerbaijan disenfranchised its citizens
and made a mockery of its promises to the international community to
hold a free and fair presidential election in October 2003. After a
campaign troubled by intimidation and countless irregularities and
violent incidents on election day, election observers concluded that
the vote in 2003 was one which was fraudulent and it resulted in an
illegal government.”
Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), the Chairman of the International
Relations Subcommittee dealing with human rights, offered detailed
remarks in favor of the measure’s adoption. He shared with his
colleagues that he is “deeply convinced that the stability we all seek
in Azerbaijan is only possible through democracy. For that reason,
the November election must be free and fair. Whoever wins, it is
essential that Azerbaijan’s citizens and the international community
see the outcome as legitimate.”
Congresswoman Illeana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) noted that, “in the most
recent elections in Azerbaijan, the 2003 presidential elections,
international election observers concluded that they fell well short
of international standards. The observers found numerous instances
of voting fraud, restrictions on political rallies and intimidation
against political opponents.”
Congressman Ben Cardin (D-MD), the Ranking Democrat on the U.S.
Helsinki Commission, in stating his support for the resolution, noted
a troubling incident, in May of 2005, in which Azerbaijani officials
“arrested and incarcerated a group of peaceful protesters in the
capital city of Baku.” Representative Joe Crowley (D-NY) pointed
out that Azerbaijan “has yet to meet its full potential and its poor
human rights record constantly overshadows any positive steps that
the government has taken.
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