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[Congressional Record: February 16, 2005 (Extensions)]
[Page E251]
>>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr16fe05-14]
HIGHLIGHTING RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJAN CONFLICT
HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ
of texas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, as a result of the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict, Armenian forces occupy the mountainous region of Nagorno
Karabagh, as well as seven additional regions, resulting in a million
refugees and internally displaced Azerbaijanis.
Located between Russia and Iran, Azerbaijan is an important partner
and ally in the international war against terrorism. While bilateral
cooperation on terrorism-related issues between the U.S. and Azerbaijan
started well before September 11, they intensified with Azerbaijan
offering unconditional support to the coalition and becoming the first
Muslim country to send troops to Iraq.
While there have been several attempts to find a resolution to the
conflict under the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE) Minsk Process, little progress has been made. However, the U.S.
continues to work towards the end. According to a recent State
Department statement: ``The United States does not recognize Nagorno-
Karabakh as an independent country, and its leadership is not
recognized internationally or by the United States. The United States
supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and holds that the
future status of Nagorno-Karabakh is a matter of negotiation between
the parties. The United States remains committed to finding a peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the Minsk Group
process. We are encouraged by the continuing talks between the Foreign
Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan.''
On January 25, 2005, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe adopted a resolution on the Nagorno Karabagh conflict, which
concluded that ``considerable parts of Azerbaijan's territory are still
occupied by the Armenian forces and separatist forces are still in
control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.'' Additionally it asked the co-
chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group to expedite an agreement on the issue
and urged the parties concerned to comply with U.N. Security Council
resolutions by refraining from any armed hostilities and ``by
withdrawing military forces from any occupied territories.''
Mr. Speaker, this shows the international community is ready for a
resolution of the conflict. I welcome the initiatives by the Council of
Europe and the statement by the U.S. Administration, and I urge my
colleagues to support a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
[Page E251]
>>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr16fe05-14]
HIGHLIGHTING RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJAN CONFLICT
HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ
of texas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, as a result of the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict, Armenian forces occupy the mountainous region of Nagorno
Karabagh, as well as seven additional regions, resulting in a million
refugees and internally displaced Azerbaijanis.
Located between Russia and Iran, Azerbaijan is an important partner
and ally in the international war against terrorism. While bilateral
cooperation on terrorism-related issues between the U.S. and Azerbaijan
started well before September 11, they intensified with Azerbaijan
offering unconditional support to the coalition and becoming the first
Muslim country to send troops to Iraq.
While there have been several attempts to find a resolution to the
conflict under the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE) Minsk Process, little progress has been made. However, the U.S.
continues to work towards the end. According to a recent State
Department statement: ``The United States does not recognize Nagorno-
Karabakh as an independent country, and its leadership is not
recognized internationally or by the United States. The United States
supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and holds that the
future status of Nagorno-Karabakh is a matter of negotiation between
the parties. The United States remains committed to finding a peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the Minsk Group
process. We are encouraged by the continuing talks between the Foreign
Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan.''
On January 25, 2005, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe adopted a resolution on the Nagorno Karabagh conflict, which
concluded that ``considerable parts of Azerbaijan's territory are still
occupied by the Armenian forces and separatist forces are still in
control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.'' Additionally it asked the co-
chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group to expedite an agreement on the issue
and urged the parties concerned to comply with U.N. Security Council
resolutions by refraining from any armed hostilities and ``by
withdrawing military forces from any occupied territories.''
Mr. Speaker, this shows the international community is ready for a
resolution of the conflict. I welcome the initiatives by the Council of
Europe and the statement by the U.S. Administration, and I urge my
colleagues to support a peaceful resolution to the conflict.