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AAA: Washington Times publishes Assembly "Letter to the Editor"

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  • AAA: Washington Times publishes Assembly "Letter to the Editor"

    Armenian Assembly of America
    122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
    Washington, DC 20001
    Phone: 202-393-3434
    Fax: 202-638-4904
    Email: [email protected]
    Web: www.armenianassembly.org
     
    MEDIA ALERT
    September 27, 2004
    CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
    E-mail: [email protected]

    RE: Washington Times publishes Assembly "Letter to the Editor"

    The Armenian Assembly of America would like to call your attention to a
    "Letter to the Editor," which was submitted to The Washington Times by
    Assembly Executive Director Ross Vartian and published on September 22,
    2004. The letter was written in response to a September 19 Times article
    entitled, "Keeping a Key Caspian Ally."

    The letter may also be accessed at the following link:

    http://www.washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20040924-090617-3679r.htm


    AZERBAIJANIS AND NAGORNO-KARABAKH

    On Azerbaijan, S. Rob Sobhani believes he is right on the mark: It
    has oil, and the West needs that oil, so Washington has one choice,
    to support the Azerbaijani government regardless of its aggressive
    policies toward its Armenian neighbors or its universally acknowledged
    dismal record on corruption and human rights ("Keeping a key Caspian
    ally," Commentary, Saturday).

    This year marks the 10th anniversary of the agreement that gave the
    United States access to Azerbaijan's oil reserves, but it also marks
    10 years since the cease-fire in Nagorno Karabakh, which should have
    been a prelude to a negotiated peaceful settlement.

    However, ten years into the cease-fire, Azerbaijan's response to the
    popular demand of the Nagorno Karabakh Armenians for self determination
    has not changed. Like the pogroms and mass deportations in the months
    before the Azerbaijani-initiated war, threats of more of the same
    continue today.

    To quote remarks by Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Ramiz
    Melikov published August 4, 2004 in the Azerbaijani press: "In
    the next 20-30 years there will be no Armenian state in the South
    Caucasus. This nation has been a nuisance for its neighbors and has
    no right to live in this region." Also, to quote former Azerbaijani
    President Heydar Aliyev's own National Security Adviser Vafa Guluzade:
    "Armenians should be driven out ... The entire population of Nagorno
    Karabakh should be moved from there ... this problem will not be
    resolved as long as Armenians are in Nagorno Karabakh."

    Is this the policy Mr. Sobhani wants the United States to support? Is
    this what the American people want their government to support?
    Is Azerbaijani oil so important that the United States should
    encourage and defend a leadership that clearly advocates not just
    another military offensive against Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia, but
    also ethnic cleansing and the demise of Armenia against its population?

    Oil is one thing; the price for oil espoused by Mr. Sobhani is
    something else.

    Sincerely,

    Ross Vartian
    Executive Director
    Armenian Assembly of America
    Washington


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

    NR#2004-088
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