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Armenian Assembly Statement on Nagorno Karabakh Developments

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  • Armenian Assembly Statement on Nagorno Karabakh Developments

    Armenian Assembly of America
    1334 G Street, NW, Suite 200
    Washington, DC 20005
    Phone: 202-393-3434
    Fax: 202-638-4904
    Email: [email protected]
    Web: www.aaainc.org

    PRESS RELEASE

    July 22, 2009
    Contact: Michael A Zachariades
    Email: [email protected]
    Phone: (202) 393-3434

    ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY STATEMENT ON NAGORNO KARABAKH DEVELOPMENTS

    Washington, DC - The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) issued the
    following statement in regard to the Nagorno Karabakh peace process:

    On the occasion of the July 17-18 meetings of the Presidents of Armenia
    and Azerbaijan in Moscow, in regard to the Nagorno Karabakh peace
    process, under the auspices of the Organization for Security and
    Cooperation in Europe Minsk Group (OSCE), the Assembly reiterates its
    long-standing position that any resolution must be acceptable to the
    people of both Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

    The meetings follow the joint declaration by the presidents of the
    United States, France and Russia on July 10, at the recent Group of
    Eight conference in Italy, in which the presidents instructed the
    "mediators to present to the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan an
    updated version of the Madrid Document of November 2007, the Co-Chairs'
    last articulation of the Basic Principles," and urged the parties to
    "resolve the few remaining differences...."

    The issues are complex and will require time to reach a solution that is
    acceptable to all parties, and most specifically to the citizens of the
    Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Throughout the ongoing negotiation process,
    and again on July 16, the Armenian Government has stated that no
    agreement can be reached without the concurrence of the government and
    citizens of Nagorno Karabakh. We fully endorse that policy and urge the
    Minsk Group Co-Chairs to ensure that the government of Nagorno Karabakh
    joins the negotiation process as soon as possible. We note that the
    OSCE Co-Chairs have repeatedly, and as recently as July 8, called for
    the inclusion of Nagorno Karabakh.

    We urge the United States, in particular, to ensure the fulfillment of
    President Barack Obama's campaign pledge "to work for a lasting and
    durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict that is agreeable to
    all parties, and based upon America's founding commitment to the
    principles of democracy and self determination." The Assembly also
    recalls the leadership of the United States Senate and the passage of
    S.J. Res. 178 in 1989, which expressed U.S. support for "the fundamental
    rights and the aspirations of the people of Nagorno-Karabagh." Moreover,
    the Assembly strongly supports the fundamental rights of the people of
    Nagorno Karabakh, and its independence from foreign rule and oppression.
    To that end, we support the efforts of the governments of Nagorno
    Karabakh and Armenia.

    For more than two decades the Assembly has committed its resources to
    the pursuit of the just cause of the Armenian people of Nagorno
    Karabakh. We have played an instrumental role in Congress, from the
    Senate adoption of S.J. Res. 178, to the enactment of Section 907 of the
    FREEDOM Support Act, which prohibits U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan until
    its dual blockades of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh are lifted. We will
    continue to strongly support maximum assistance and aid to Nagorno
    Karabakh to further promote its democratic development and overcome the
    consequences of Azerbaijan's aggression.

    Therefore, we call upon the presidents of the United States, France and
    Russia, whose nations collectively serve as the OSCE's Minsk Group
    co-chairs, to denounce Azerbaijan's ongoing war rhetoric and its threats
    for a resumption of military action. A new war will not only undermine
    the peace process, but will also lead to the destabilization of the
    South Caucasus.

    The Assembly stands united with all Armenians to protect the freedom and
    security of the Nagorno Karabakh people in the face of these most
    serious external threats. The suffering endured and the sacrifices made
    by Armenians since the Armenian Genocide deserves nothing less.

    Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
    Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
    and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c) (3)
    tax-exempt membership organization.


    ###

    NR#2009-060
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