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MEMBERS OF U.S. CONGRESS CONTINUE TO EXPRESS OUTRAGE OVER SAFAROV RELEASE
armradio.am
12.09.2012 11:10
The Azerbaijani pardon, promotion and compensation of convicted
Azerbaijani axe-murderer Ramil Safarov, and its harmful effects
on the Nagorno Karabakh peace process, continue to be a source of
considerable concern for members of the U.S. Congress, with new
statements condemning the actions being released on nearly a daily
basis, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
Congressional Armenian Genocide resolution lead sponsor Robert Dold
(R-IL) today called the Hungarian government's extradition and
President Aliyev's glorification of Safarov "deeply disturbing,"
noting that "rather than work to reduce tensions, this act shows a
blatant disregard for the reconciliation and peace process."
Those remarks come on the heels of a weekend statement by Maryland
Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD) who called Aliyev's actions "without
justification" and argued that, "Azerbaijan has acted to undermine
justice and further strain its relationship with Armenia to the
detriment of all, and to the benefit of no one but a self confessed
murderer."
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), who has been an outspoken critic of
Azerbaijan's threats of war and attacks against neighboring Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh, said he was "aghast" at the extradition and pardon
of Safarov and "outraged and disgusted by the reception that Safarov
was given upon returning to Azerbaijan." Senator Menendez called on
the Hungarian government to "demand Safarov's return to Hungary to
complete the remainder of his life sentence. It is clear that the
Azeri government cannot be counted on to adhere to its international
or bilateral obligations with respect to this matter."
All three U.S. Congressmen from California's Central Valley -
Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA), Jeff Denham (R-CA) and Devin Nunes
(R-CA) - have also condemned Azerbaijan's actions.
In statement sent to local constituents, with portions quoted in
The Fresno Bee, Rep. Costa was explicit in his denunciation of the
Azerbaijani government action. "This injustice of international law
committed by the government of Azerbaijan is an outrage, plain and
simple. This illegal pardon glorifies a heinous crime committed against
an innocent Armenian soldier and does a severe disservice to the peace
process in the region. I believe Hungary was complicit in this action."
In a joint statement issued by Representatives Denham and Nunes,
the Congressmen noted that "Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev's
decision to pardon Ramil Safarov, who was convicted of killing
Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan in 2004, undermines respect for
the rule of law, and sets back efforts for a fair and lasting peace
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The action is highly disappointing
and will undermine efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution of the
Nagorno Karabakh issue."
Members of Congress who have condemned Azerbaijan's release of Safarov
to date include, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry
(D-MA), Sen. Menendez, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank
Pallone (D-NJ), House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat Howard
Berman (D-CA), House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Democrat
Henry Waxman (D-CA), and Representatives Jim Costa, Jeff Denham,
Robert Dold, Anna Eshoo (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Devin Nunes
(R-CA), John Sarbanes, Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Brad Sherman (D-CA).
armradio.am
12.09.2012 11:10
The Azerbaijani pardon, promotion and compensation of convicted
Azerbaijani axe-murderer Ramil Safarov, and its harmful effects
on the Nagorno Karabakh peace process, continue to be a source of
considerable concern for members of the U.S. Congress, with new
statements condemning the actions being released on nearly a daily
basis, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
Congressional Armenian Genocide resolution lead sponsor Robert Dold
(R-IL) today called the Hungarian government's extradition and
President Aliyev's glorification of Safarov "deeply disturbing,"
noting that "rather than work to reduce tensions, this act shows a
blatant disregard for the reconciliation and peace process."
Those remarks come on the heels of a weekend statement by Maryland
Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD) who called Aliyev's actions "without
justification" and argued that, "Azerbaijan has acted to undermine
justice and further strain its relationship with Armenia to the
detriment of all, and to the benefit of no one but a self confessed
murderer."
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), who has been an outspoken critic of
Azerbaijan's threats of war and attacks against neighboring Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh, said he was "aghast" at the extradition and pardon
of Safarov and "outraged and disgusted by the reception that Safarov
was given upon returning to Azerbaijan." Senator Menendez called on
the Hungarian government to "demand Safarov's return to Hungary to
complete the remainder of his life sentence. It is clear that the
Azeri government cannot be counted on to adhere to its international
or bilateral obligations with respect to this matter."
All three U.S. Congressmen from California's Central Valley -
Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA), Jeff Denham (R-CA) and Devin Nunes
(R-CA) - have also condemned Azerbaijan's actions.
In statement sent to local constituents, with portions quoted in
The Fresno Bee, Rep. Costa was explicit in his denunciation of the
Azerbaijani government action. "This injustice of international law
committed by the government of Azerbaijan is an outrage, plain and
simple. This illegal pardon glorifies a heinous crime committed against
an innocent Armenian soldier and does a severe disservice to the peace
process in the region. I believe Hungary was complicit in this action."
In a joint statement issued by Representatives Denham and Nunes,
the Congressmen noted that "Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev's
decision to pardon Ramil Safarov, who was convicted of killing
Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan in 2004, undermines respect for
the rule of law, and sets back efforts for a fair and lasting peace
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The action is highly disappointing
and will undermine efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution of the
Nagorno Karabakh issue."
Members of Congress who have condemned Azerbaijan's release of Safarov
to date include, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry
(D-MA), Sen. Menendez, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank
Pallone (D-NJ), House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat Howard
Berman (D-CA), House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Democrat
Henry Waxman (D-CA), and Representatives Jim Costa, Jeff Denham,
Robert Dold, Anna Eshoo (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Devin Nunes
(R-CA), John Sarbanes, Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Brad Sherman (D-CA).