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[Congressional Record: September 28, 2004 (House)]
[Page H7716]
>>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr28se04-115]
THREATS MADE BY AZERBAIJAN AGAINST ARMENIA
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I want to bring attention to recent
statements made by high-ranking government officials in Azerbaijan
that threaten the security of Armenia as well as the efforts towards
a peaceful settlement over the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict.
This issue, if not compellingly addressed by the administration,
has the potential to undermine U.S. interests and American values in
the strategically important Caucasus region.
I refer to the recent remarks made by officials in the government of
President Aliyev calling into question the very existence of Armenia.
For example, as reported by Radio Free Europe, the Azerbaijani Defense
Minister spokesman called for Azerbaijan's takeover of the entire
territory of Armenia and removal of the entire Armenian population from
the Caucasus. He went so far as to say, ``Within the next 25 years
there will exist no state of Armenia in the south Caucasus.'' Given
Azerbaijan's history of aggression against Armenians, these remarks
cannot be dismissed as mere rhetoric.
Furthermore, Azerbaijan recently blocked key NATO exercises in the
country, due to their opposition towards having Armenian officers
taking part in the exercises. In fact, in June 2003, Armenia served
as the host country for similar exercises, to which Azerbaijani
military forces were invited, yet refused to participate. This year,
Armenia was one of several dozen countries due to participate, yet
the initiative was blocked by Azerbaijan, which is continuing its
efforts to undermine the prospects for peace in the Caucasus region.
Azerbaijan's threats again Armenia's survival reinforce our
commitment to maintaining parity in U.S. military aid to Armenia and
Azerbaijan. This arrangement means even more today than when it was
first put in place, particularly in light of Baku's increasingly
aggressive posture towards Armenia. Any tilt in military spending
towards Azerbaijan could, in our view, destabilize the region by
emboldening the new Azerbaijani leadership to continue their threats
to impose a military solution of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict.
Just last week, the Republic of Armenia celebrated Independence
Day marking 13 years of freedom from Soviet rule. We have seen
considerable economic growth in the country. Despite the continuing
illegal blockade by Turkey and Azerbaijan, a recent Wall Street Journal
study found that Armenia remains the most economically free nation in
the region. Today, Armenia is steadfast in its support of the U.S.,
as exhibited by their recent announcement of plans to send a unit
of deminers, doctors and 50 trucks, including staff and drivers,
to assist the Coalition forces in Iraq.
It is critical to note that Armenia is today, as it has always been,
committed to the peace process and the terms agreed to in the Key West
summit. Since the beginning of the Nagorno-Karabagh and Azerbaijan
conflict, Armenia has been committed to finding a peaceful resolution.
Moreover, I cannot stress enough the crucial role that the U.S. plays
in the negotiations over Nagorno-Karabagh to help the people of this
region find a lasting and equitable peace. These threats by Azerbaijan
undermine these efforts and seriously complicate our diplomacy in the
region. A failure on our part to forcefully and publicly confront
the Azerbaijan government over these destabilizing threats would,
in our view, send extremely dangerous signals to Azerbaijan.
So, Mr. Speaker, I hope that the United States takes action to condemn
these remarks by the Azerbaijani government, and that we here in this
Chamber do everything we can to ensure that all parties involved in
this conflict make a genuine commitment towards peace and stability
in the region.
____________________
[Page H7716]
>>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr28se04-115]
THREATS MADE BY AZERBAIJAN AGAINST ARMENIA
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I want to bring attention to recent
statements made by high-ranking government officials in Azerbaijan
that threaten the security of Armenia as well as the efforts towards
a peaceful settlement over the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict.
This issue, if not compellingly addressed by the administration,
has the potential to undermine U.S. interests and American values in
the strategically important Caucasus region.
I refer to the recent remarks made by officials in the government of
President Aliyev calling into question the very existence of Armenia.
For example, as reported by Radio Free Europe, the Azerbaijani Defense
Minister spokesman called for Azerbaijan's takeover of the entire
territory of Armenia and removal of the entire Armenian population from
the Caucasus. He went so far as to say, ``Within the next 25 years
there will exist no state of Armenia in the south Caucasus.'' Given
Azerbaijan's history of aggression against Armenians, these remarks
cannot be dismissed as mere rhetoric.
Furthermore, Azerbaijan recently blocked key NATO exercises in the
country, due to their opposition towards having Armenian officers
taking part in the exercises. In fact, in June 2003, Armenia served
as the host country for similar exercises, to which Azerbaijani
military forces were invited, yet refused to participate. This year,
Armenia was one of several dozen countries due to participate, yet
the initiative was blocked by Azerbaijan, which is continuing its
efforts to undermine the prospects for peace in the Caucasus region.
Azerbaijan's threats again Armenia's survival reinforce our
commitment to maintaining parity in U.S. military aid to Armenia and
Azerbaijan. This arrangement means even more today than when it was
first put in place, particularly in light of Baku's increasingly
aggressive posture towards Armenia. Any tilt in military spending
towards Azerbaijan could, in our view, destabilize the region by
emboldening the new Azerbaijani leadership to continue their threats
to impose a military solution of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict.
Just last week, the Republic of Armenia celebrated Independence
Day marking 13 years of freedom from Soviet rule. We have seen
considerable economic growth in the country. Despite the continuing
illegal blockade by Turkey and Azerbaijan, a recent Wall Street Journal
study found that Armenia remains the most economically free nation in
the region. Today, Armenia is steadfast in its support of the U.S.,
as exhibited by their recent announcement of plans to send a unit
of deminers, doctors and 50 trucks, including staff and drivers,
to assist the Coalition forces in Iraq.
It is critical to note that Armenia is today, as it has always been,
committed to the peace process and the terms agreed to in the Key West
summit. Since the beginning of the Nagorno-Karabagh and Azerbaijan
conflict, Armenia has been committed to finding a peaceful resolution.
Moreover, I cannot stress enough the crucial role that the U.S. plays
in the negotiations over Nagorno-Karabagh to help the people of this
region find a lasting and equitable peace. These threats by Azerbaijan
undermine these efforts and seriously complicate our diplomacy in the
region. A failure on our part to forcefully and publicly confront
the Azerbaijan government over these destabilizing threats would,
in our view, send extremely dangerous signals to Azerbaijan.
So, Mr. Speaker, I hope that the United States takes action to condemn
these remarks by the Azerbaijani government, and that we here in this
Chamber do everything we can to ensure that all parties involved in
this conflict make a genuine commitment towards peace and stability
in the region.
____________________