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REP. SHERMAN: WE MUST HOLD AZERBAIJAN ACCOUNTABLE FOR INJUSTICE
December 7, 2012 - 10:48 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Congressman Brad Sherman was presented the Mkhitar
Gosh medal at a Congressional celebration of the 21st anniversary of
the independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh held on Dec 5.
Earlier this year, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan awarded
the Mkhitar Gosh Medal to Mr. Sherman for his efforts to enhance
U.S.-Armenian relations and to achieve international recognition of
the Armenian Genocide.
Sherman, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee,
has been leading efforts since 1997 to provide U.S. aid to the people
of Artsakh.
In his remarks during the celebration, Congressman Sherman said:
"Today we celebrate Artsakh's freedom and independence. Artsakh
continues to strengthen its democracy and held its fifth presidential
election this year. The election in July 2012 was monitored and deemed
free and fair by international observers.
"Despite Azerbaijan's deeply unjust blockade and a devastating war
in from 1991 to 1994, Artsakh continues to solidify its democracy
and improve its economy. Nagorno Karabakh has been successful in its
transition from a state-run economy to a market economy, which helped
achieve steady economic growth.
"I was the first member of Congress to introduce legislation for
direct aid to Nagorno-Karabakh. In 1997, I introduced an amendment
during the House International Relations Committee's consideration of
a foreign aid authorization bill for fiscal year 1998 for direct U.S.
humanitarian aid to Nagorno Karabakh. While this amendment did not
pass, it accelerated the movement for direct U.S. aid to Artsakh.
"In September 2012, I backed Nagorno Karabakh's efforts to reopen
the airport in Stepanakert. The opening has been delayed several times.
Unfortunately, officials in Baku have threatened to shoot down civilian
planes traveling to Stepanakert. It is time for that airport to open.
"I condemn Baku's pardoning and freeing of an Azeri axe-murderer,
Ramil Safarov , who was imprisoned in Hungary for killing an innocent
Armenian officer in his sleep in Budapest. We must hold Azerbaijan
accountable for this grave injustice."
December 7, 2012 - 10:48 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Congressman Brad Sherman was presented the Mkhitar
Gosh medal at a Congressional celebration of the 21st anniversary of
the independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh held on Dec 5.
Earlier this year, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan awarded
the Mkhitar Gosh Medal to Mr. Sherman for his efforts to enhance
U.S.-Armenian relations and to achieve international recognition of
the Armenian Genocide.
Sherman, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee,
has been leading efforts since 1997 to provide U.S. aid to the people
of Artsakh.
In his remarks during the celebration, Congressman Sherman said:
"Today we celebrate Artsakh's freedom and independence. Artsakh
continues to strengthen its democracy and held its fifth presidential
election this year. The election in July 2012 was monitored and deemed
free and fair by international observers.
"Despite Azerbaijan's deeply unjust blockade and a devastating war
in from 1991 to 1994, Artsakh continues to solidify its democracy
and improve its economy. Nagorno Karabakh has been successful in its
transition from a state-run economy to a market economy, which helped
achieve steady economic growth.
"I was the first member of Congress to introduce legislation for
direct aid to Nagorno-Karabakh. In 1997, I introduced an amendment
during the House International Relations Committee's consideration of
a foreign aid authorization bill for fiscal year 1998 for direct U.S.
humanitarian aid to Nagorno Karabakh. While this amendment did not
pass, it accelerated the movement for direct U.S. aid to Artsakh.
"In September 2012, I backed Nagorno Karabakh's efforts to reopen
the airport in Stepanakert. The opening has been delayed several times.
Unfortunately, officials in Baku have threatened to shoot down civilian
planes traveling to Stepanakert. It is time for that airport to open.
"I condemn Baku's pardoning and freeing of an Azeri axe-murderer,
Ramil Safarov , who was imprisoned in Hungary for killing an innocent
Armenian officer in his sleep in Budapest. We must hold Azerbaijan
accountable for this grave injustice."