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Congressman Pallone: Sumgait pogroms stood out as particularly atrocious event
March 3, 2012 - 10:44 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone of New Jersey
commemorated the victims of the Armenian pogroms in Azerbaijan when
taking the House floor on March 1.
It is always with great emotion that I commemorate the Sumgait pogroms
where the murder of hundreds of Armenians stood out as a particularly
atrocious event in a long history of hostility against the Armenian
people. This anniversary above all reminds us of our duty to act. Year
after year, it strengthens our determination to obtain justice and
peace. Beginning on the evening of February 27, 1988, hundreds of
Armenians were brutally murdered, some of them burned alive and thrown
from windows. Women and children were raped and maimed by Azerbaijani
rioters. Apartments were robbed, shops demolished, and thousands of
people became refugees,' Rep. Pallone said.
Despite Sumgait's proximity to Baku, police turned a blind eye to this
dire situation, allowing the pogroms to go on for three days. The
truth is that for over two decades, authorities in Azerbaijan have
made relentless efforts to erase all traces of these crimes. This
state-sponsored denial is an insult to the memory of all men, women
and children who perished on those fateful days; it is a daily affront
to their descendants. The Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus is
resolutely committed to ensure that those Armenians who lost their
lives are not forgotten,' he said.
`The need for the government of Azerbaijan to fully recognize the
Sumgait pogroms is not only in the interest of historical accuracy but
also necessary to ensure a peaceful future. The just recognition of
these crimes is the first step towards an enduring and peaceful
resolution of the regional conflict.'
'Stability in the region is needed now more than ever. The specter of
violence indeed still looms and many Armenian lives continue to be
subject to threats by the Azerbaijani government. Ceasefire violations
by Azerbaijani armed forces at the contact line with the Nagorno
KarabakRepublic have shown this to be true. President Aliyev recently
announced that Azerbaijan is buying up modern weaponry to occupy the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic. I stand here today to solemnly condemn all
intimidations and acts of aggression against the Armenian people. The
Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus will do its very best to ensure
that basic rights to life, liberty and security are not violated. May
the Armenian people never have to fear again such attacks. I ask that
my colleagues stand with me in recognizing the Sumgait pogroms and the
needless deaths of so many,' the Congressman concluded.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
March 3, 2012 - 10:44 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone of New Jersey
commemorated the victims of the Armenian pogroms in Azerbaijan when
taking the House floor on March 1.
It is always with great emotion that I commemorate the Sumgait pogroms
where the murder of hundreds of Armenians stood out as a particularly
atrocious event in a long history of hostility against the Armenian
people. This anniversary above all reminds us of our duty to act. Year
after year, it strengthens our determination to obtain justice and
peace. Beginning on the evening of February 27, 1988, hundreds of
Armenians were brutally murdered, some of them burned alive and thrown
from windows. Women and children were raped and maimed by Azerbaijani
rioters. Apartments were robbed, shops demolished, and thousands of
people became refugees,' Rep. Pallone said.
Despite Sumgait's proximity to Baku, police turned a blind eye to this
dire situation, allowing the pogroms to go on for three days. The
truth is that for over two decades, authorities in Azerbaijan have
made relentless efforts to erase all traces of these crimes. This
state-sponsored denial is an insult to the memory of all men, women
and children who perished on those fateful days; it is a daily affront
to their descendants. The Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus is
resolutely committed to ensure that those Armenians who lost their
lives are not forgotten,' he said.
`The need for the government of Azerbaijan to fully recognize the
Sumgait pogroms is not only in the interest of historical accuracy but
also necessary to ensure a peaceful future. The just recognition of
these crimes is the first step towards an enduring and peaceful
resolution of the regional conflict.'
'Stability in the region is needed now more than ever. The specter of
violence indeed still looms and many Armenian lives continue to be
subject to threats by the Azerbaijani government. Ceasefire violations
by Azerbaijani armed forces at the contact line with the Nagorno
KarabakRepublic have shown this to be true. President Aliyev recently
announced that Azerbaijan is buying up modern weaponry to occupy the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic. I stand here today to solemnly condemn all
intimidations and acts of aggression against the Armenian people. The
Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus will do its very best to ensure
that basic rights to life, liberty and security are not violated. May
the Armenian people never have to fear again such attacks. I ask that
my colleagues stand with me in recognizing the Sumgait pogroms and the
needless deaths of so many,' the Congressman concluded.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress