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REP. ADAM SCHIFF URGES U.S. TO CUT SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO AZERBAIJAN
December 4, 2012 - 21:10 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) sent a letter
to Senators Patrick Leahy and Lindsey Graham, and Representatives
Kay Granger and Nita Lowey - the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the
State and Foreign Operations Subcommittees in the House and Senate
- calling on them to cut all security assistance to Azerbaijan,
including Azerbaijan's International Military Education and Training
Account (IMET) funding. This latest request comes after the egregious
repatriation and release of Ramil Safarov, an Azerbaijani army
captain who had confessed to the savage 2004 axe murder of Armenian
army lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan during a NATO Partnership for Peace
Program.
"Azerbaijan has committed the most terrible subversion of justice -
making a hero of a cold-blooded killer," said Rep. Schiff. "Plainly the
investment we have made in training Azeri forces has been worse than
wasted. The United States must not tolerate any acts of aggression
against Armenia or Nagorno Karabakh, and this hateful action by
President Aliyev undermines all international efforts to bring about
a peaceful solution in the region," Rep. Schiff said.
"Azerbaijan must pay a high price for its actions. Baku treasures
the security assistance that it receives from Washington, not because
it needs the money (it does not), but because it signifies a certain
closeness in the bilateral relationship. By cutting off military aid to
Azerbaijan, the United States would signal its disgust with the Safarov
affair, while also reminding Aliyev that the United States will not
tolerate any acts of aggression against Armenia or Nagorno-Karabakh,"
the letter concluded.
December 4, 2012 - 21:10 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) sent a letter
to Senators Patrick Leahy and Lindsey Graham, and Representatives
Kay Granger and Nita Lowey - the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the
State and Foreign Operations Subcommittees in the House and Senate
- calling on them to cut all security assistance to Azerbaijan,
including Azerbaijan's International Military Education and Training
Account (IMET) funding. This latest request comes after the egregious
repatriation and release of Ramil Safarov, an Azerbaijani army
captain who had confessed to the savage 2004 axe murder of Armenian
army lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan during a NATO Partnership for Peace
Program.
"Azerbaijan has committed the most terrible subversion of justice -
making a hero of a cold-blooded killer," said Rep. Schiff. "Plainly the
investment we have made in training Azeri forces has been worse than
wasted. The United States must not tolerate any acts of aggression
against Armenia or Nagorno Karabakh, and this hateful action by
President Aliyev undermines all international efforts to bring about
a peaceful solution in the region," Rep. Schiff said.
"Azerbaijan must pay a high price for its actions. Baku treasures
the security assistance that it receives from Washington, not because
it needs the money (it does not), but because it signifies a certain
closeness in the bilateral relationship. By cutting off military aid to
Azerbaijan, the United States would signal its disgust with the Safarov
affair, while also reminding Aliyev that the United States will not
tolerate any acts of aggression against Armenia or Nagorno-Karabakh,"
the letter concluded.