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ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
June 24, 2011
Contact: Press Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY CALLS FOR INCLUSION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH IN THE PEACE
TALKS AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Washington, DC - The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) commends
Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan for his diplomatic efforts to
secure a peaceful and just resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict.
While no final agreement was reached on the Basic Principles being
negotiated, the Assembly notes that the sides did reach, according to
reports, a "mutual understanding on a number of issues whose
resolution would contribute to the creation of conditions for the
approval of the basic principles."
We also take note of U.S. President Barack Obama's phone call to
President Sargsyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in advance
of the Kazan summit in which "President Obama told both leaders that
now is the time to resolve this conflict and to offer the people of
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Nagorno-Karabakh a better future for
themselves and for their children."
We also extend our appreciation to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton for her support of efforts to secure a lasting peace in the
region.
It is regrettable that it appears once again Azerbaijan is not ready
for peace. Armenia has consistently demonstrated its willingness to
resolve all outstanding issues with its neighbors, while Azerbaijan,
instead, has rapidly expanded its military budget and escalated
tensions by repeatedly threatening the resumption of military action.
It is also regrettable that America's commitment to peace and
reconciliation continues to be undermined by Azerbaijan's
intransigence. The Assembly recalls Azerbaijan's interference with and
opposition to the Protocols between Turkey and Armenia, which were
brokered by the Swiss government with the full support of France,
Russia, the European Union, and the United States. Ironically, after
signing the Protocols, Turkey, under pressure from Azerbaijan,
insisted that a resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict must be
reached prior to Turkish ratification of the Protocols, effectively
holding Armenia hostage to Turkey's ongoing blockade.
Given the outcome of the June 24 meeting in Kazan, as well as the
stalled process with respect to the Protocols, the Assembly strongly
believes that the United States would have more credibility and be
able to achieve more progress in the peace talks and in Turkey-Armenia
rapprochement, if the United States unequivocally affirmed the
Armenian Genocide, like its OSCE counterparts, France and Russia. U.S.
affirmation of this crime against humanity as so indicated by the
United States in its 1951 filing before the International Court of
Justice is long past due.
In addition, the time has also come to directly include Nagorno
Karabakh in the negotiations. Any resolution to the conflict as
mediated by the OSCE Co-Chairs must be acceptable to the people of
Nagorno Karabakh, and must take into account its right to
self-determination.
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#2011-031
From: A. Papazian
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
June 24, 2011
Contact: Press Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY CALLS FOR INCLUSION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH IN THE PEACE
TALKS AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Washington, DC - The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) commends
Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan for his diplomatic efforts to
secure a peaceful and just resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict.
While no final agreement was reached on the Basic Principles being
negotiated, the Assembly notes that the sides did reach, according to
reports, a "mutual understanding on a number of issues whose
resolution would contribute to the creation of conditions for the
approval of the basic principles."
We also take note of U.S. President Barack Obama's phone call to
President Sargsyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in advance
of the Kazan summit in which "President Obama told both leaders that
now is the time to resolve this conflict and to offer the people of
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Nagorno-Karabakh a better future for
themselves and for their children."
We also extend our appreciation to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton for her support of efforts to secure a lasting peace in the
region.
It is regrettable that it appears once again Azerbaijan is not ready
for peace. Armenia has consistently demonstrated its willingness to
resolve all outstanding issues with its neighbors, while Azerbaijan,
instead, has rapidly expanded its military budget and escalated
tensions by repeatedly threatening the resumption of military action.
It is also regrettable that America's commitment to peace and
reconciliation continues to be undermined by Azerbaijan's
intransigence. The Assembly recalls Azerbaijan's interference with and
opposition to the Protocols between Turkey and Armenia, which were
brokered by the Swiss government with the full support of France,
Russia, the European Union, and the United States. Ironically, after
signing the Protocols, Turkey, under pressure from Azerbaijan,
insisted that a resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict must be
reached prior to Turkish ratification of the Protocols, effectively
holding Armenia hostage to Turkey's ongoing blockade.
Given the outcome of the June 24 meeting in Kazan, as well as the
stalled process with respect to the Protocols, the Assembly strongly
believes that the United States would have more credibility and be
able to achieve more progress in the peace talks and in Turkey-Armenia
rapprochement, if the United States unequivocally affirmed the
Armenian Genocide, like its OSCE counterparts, France and Russia. U.S.
affirmation of this crime against humanity as so indicated by the
United States in its 1951 filing before the International Court of
Justice is long past due.
In addition, the time has also come to directly include Nagorno
Karabakh in the negotiations. Any resolution to the conflict as
mediated by the OSCE Co-Chairs must be acceptable to the people of
Nagorno Karabakh, and must take into account its right to
self-determination.
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#2011-031
From: A. Papazian