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52 Members of Congress press Sec. of State to challenge Azerbaijan

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  • 52 Members of Congress press Sec. of State to challenge Azerbaijan

    52 Members of Congress press Secretary of State to challenge
    Azerbaijan's threats of renewed aggression

    armradio.am
    16.02.2008 11:37

    More than 50 Members of the US House of Representatives called upon
    Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to challenge Azerbaijan's threats
    of renewed war against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, and to take
    concrete action to hold leaders in Baku accountable for actions that
    directly undermine the Administration's policy of fostering peace and
    stability in the South Caucasus region, reported the Armenian National
    Committee of America (ANCA).

    The letter, initiated by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen Joe
    Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), cited specific recent
    threats by Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and stressed that,
    "these fear tactics and threats of war go directly against the United
    States' goal of peace and stability in the South Caucasus region.
    Azerbaijan has been threatening war with Armenia for years. However,
    these recent public comments made by high- ranking government officials
    prove that their rhetoric has turned into a very real and dangerous
    threat."

    In a related matter, the Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen circulated a
    letter inviting members of the Caucus to offer public remarks honoring
    the 20th anniversary of the Nagorno Karabakh liberation movement. In
    their letter, they underscored that, "as Americans, we value and
    appreciate the courage shown by the people of Nagorno Karabakh in
    standing up for democracy and sparking the popular movements that
    spread throughout the Soviet Republics and the Warsaw Pact, and
    eventually brought down the Soviet empire. We commemorate this movement
    not only for the liberty it brought to the people of Nagorno Karabakh,
    but also for the profound contribution it made to helping to create a
    safer world." They added that, "in the two decades since this historic
    movement began on or in February of 1988, the men and women of Nagorno
    Karabakh - in the face of aggression, blockade, and other truly
    daunting challenges - have built a vibrant democracy, fostered a free
    market economy, and constructively engaged with the international
    community to advance regional peace and cooperation."

    Congressman Michael McNulty, a longstanding and highly regarded
    Armenian Caucus member, issued a statement honoring the birth of the
    Nagorno Karabakh freedom movement. In his remarks, the Congressman, who
    recently announced his retirement, reminded his colleagues that "On
    February 20, 1988, the people of Nagorno Karabakh officially petitioned
    the Soviet government to reunite with Armenia and reverse the injustice
    perpetrated by the Soviet dictator, Joseph Stalin. This peaceful and
    legal request was met with violent reaction by the Soviet and
    Azerbaijani leadership and escalated into full military aggression
    against Nagorno Karabakh. The people of Nagorno Karabakh bravely
    defended their right to live in freedom on their ancestral land. Today,
    Nagorno Karabakh continues to strengthen its statehood with a
    democratically elected government, a capable defense force, and an
    independent foreign policy. I stand with the people of Nagorno Karabakh
    in celebrating their continuing freedom and democracy."
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