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ASSEMBLY REITERATES CONCERNS OVER AZERBAIJAN'S INCREASED WAR-RHETORIC
August 8, 2013 - 10:16 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Upon the appointment of Ambassador James Warlick
to serve as the next U.S. Co-Chair of the Organization for Security
& Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group for the Nagorno Karabakh
peace process, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) reiterates
its concerns with respect to Azerbaijan's increased war-rhetoric,
ongoing militarization and continued ceasefire violations.
"The Armenian Assembly hopes Ambassador Warlick and his OSCE Co-Chair
counterparts will reintegrate the democratically elected government
of Nagorno Karabakh into the peace negotiations. Only with their
participation and the support of the citizens of Karabakh, who
valiantly defended their homeland, can a lasting peace be achieved,"
said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
Secretary of State John Kerry expressed his confidence in Ambassador
Warlick, calling him a "first-rate diplomat," when he announced the
appointment. Secretary Kerry also reiterated that the "United States
remains firmly committed to helping the sides reach a lasting and
peaceful settlement to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict."
In 1991, Azerbaijan launched a war against the Armenian people of
Nagorno Karabakh. A Russian brokered cease-fire agreement was signed
in 1994 ending the hostilities; however, no peace agreement was ever
realized. For almost 20 years, the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by the
United States, Russia and France, has sought a peaceful resolution to
the conflict. In recent years, cease-fire violations along the line of
contact have increased exponentially. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan has begun
stockpiling massive offensive military armaments to the tune of over
$6 billion dollars between Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012. Last month,
it was reported that Azerbaijan begun receiving another $1 billion
dollar arms package from Russia, whereas the United States Congress
is in the process of providing an additional $3.3 million dollars to
Azerbaijan's military. The Armenian Assembly raised these concerns,
among others, in testimony submitted last month to the Commission on
Security & Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) briefing
entitled "Troubled Partner: Growing Authoritarianism in Azerbaijan."
Warlick recently served as Deputy Special Representative for
Afghanistan and Pakistan and lead negotiator for the Bilateral Security
Agreement with Afghanistan. He served as U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria
from 2009-2012, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in
the Bureau of International Organization Affairs from 2006 to 2009,
and Director of the Office of European Security and Political Affairs
from 2005 to 2006.
August 8, 2013 - 10:16 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Upon the appointment of Ambassador James Warlick
to serve as the next U.S. Co-Chair of the Organization for Security
& Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group for the Nagorno Karabakh
peace process, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) reiterates
its concerns with respect to Azerbaijan's increased war-rhetoric,
ongoing militarization and continued ceasefire violations.
"The Armenian Assembly hopes Ambassador Warlick and his OSCE Co-Chair
counterparts will reintegrate the democratically elected government
of Nagorno Karabakh into the peace negotiations. Only with their
participation and the support of the citizens of Karabakh, who
valiantly defended their homeland, can a lasting peace be achieved,"
said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
Secretary of State John Kerry expressed his confidence in Ambassador
Warlick, calling him a "first-rate diplomat," when he announced the
appointment. Secretary Kerry also reiterated that the "United States
remains firmly committed to helping the sides reach a lasting and
peaceful settlement to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict."
In 1991, Azerbaijan launched a war against the Armenian people of
Nagorno Karabakh. A Russian brokered cease-fire agreement was signed
in 1994 ending the hostilities; however, no peace agreement was ever
realized. For almost 20 years, the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by the
United States, Russia and France, has sought a peaceful resolution to
the conflict. In recent years, cease-fire violations along the line of
contact have increased exponentially. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan has begun
stockpiling massive offensive military armaments to the tune of over
$6 billion dollars between Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012. Last month,
it was reported that Azerbaijan begun receiving another $1 billion
dollar arms package from Russia, whereas the United States Congress
is in the process of providing an additional $3.3 million dollars to
Azerbaijan's military. The Armenian Assembly raised these concerns,
among others, in testimony submitted last month to the Commission on
Security & Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) briefing
entitled "Troubled Partner: Growing Authoritarianism in Azerbaijan."
Warlick recently served as Deputy Special Representative for
Afghanistan and Pakistan and lead negotiator for the Bilateral Security
Agreement with Afghanistan. He served as U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria
from 2009-2012, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in
the Bureau of International Organization Affairs from 2006 to 2009,
and Director of the Office of European Security and Political Affairs
from 2005 to 2006.