AZERBAIJAN PROTESTS CALIFORNIA TOWN'S RECOGNITION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH
Topic: Karabakh settlement discussion
An Armenian soldier of the self-proclaimed republic of Nagorno-Karabakh
aims his Kalashnikov assault rifle as he stands in a trench at the
frontline on the border with Azerbaijan near the town of Martakert
on July 6, 2012
© AFP 2013/ Karen Minasyan 23:25 06/12/2013
http://en.ria.ru/world/20131206/185319223/Azerbaijan-Protests-California-Towns-Recognition-of-Nagorno-Karabakh.html
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WASHINGTON, December 6 (RIA Novosti) - A small California town has
triggered a diplomatic row over a breakaway enclave thousands of
miles away in the Caucasus.
The city council of Highland voted to recognize the independence of
the breakaway republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is at the center
of a territorial dispute between Armenia and neighboring Azerbaijan.
The council also voted in November to establish a sister city
relationship with the city of Berdzor in the territory.
The AzerNews site reported Friday that Azerbaijan's Consulate General
in Los Angeles sent a letter of protest to Highland City Council.
The strongly worded letter called on the council to rescind the
decisions "which not only violate the US Constitution ... but also
strongly contradict the spirit of strong and successful partnership
between Azerbaijan and the United States."
The US does not recognize Nagorno-Karbakah as an independent state,
nor does any other member of the United Nations. The US is part of
the OSCE's three-nation Minsk Group with Russia and France, which
has been working to find a solution to the conflict for two decades.
The Nagorno-Karabakh dispute flared up in 1988, when the region's
predominantly ethnic Armenian population began large-scale protests
against Azerbaijani rule, seeking first to become part of Armenia
and later declaring independence.
The region descended into war as the Soviet Union collapsed. An
estimated 1 million people were made refugees and up to 30,000 died
before a ceasefire was established in 1994.
By the time fighting ended, ethnic Armenian forces, supported by
Armenia, had established control over the whole of Nagorno-Karabakh
and occupied several surrounding regions in Azerbaijan.
Diplomatic efforts have failed to establish a final peace agreement
between the two sides and the dispute continues as an unstable
"frozen conflict." Armenia insists on international recognition
of Nagorno-Karabah's right to self-determination, while Azerbaijan
demands support for its territorial integrity.
Highland has a population of 54,154 according to US Census figures and
is the second California municipality to recognize the independence
of Nagorno-Karabakh this year.
The Board of Supervisors of Fresno County passed a similar
resolution in April, and called upon the California Legislature to
grant Nagorno-Karabakh official recognition. California has a large
Armenian diaspora population.
Topic: Karabakh settlement discussion
An Armenian soldier of the self-proclaimed republic of Nagorno-Karabakh
aims his Kalashnikov assault rifle as he stands in a trench at the
frontline on the border with Azerbaijan near the town of Martakert
on July 6, 2012
© AFP 2013/ Karen Minasyan 23:25 06/12/2013
http://en.ria.ru/world/20131206/185319223/Azerbaijan-Protests-California-Towns-Recognition-of-Nagorno-Karabakh.html
Related News
OSCE Inspectors to Monitor Ceasefire in Karabakh Zone Russia, US Rue
Lack of Karabakh Progress Reopening of Karabakh Airport Threatens
Fragile Peace Armenia Must Compensate for Karabakh 'Occupation' -
Baku Azeri Army 'Ready' to Flush Armenians Out of Karabakh
WASHINGTON, December 6 (RIA Novosti) - A small California town has
triggered a diplomatic row over a breakaway enclave thousands of
miles away in the Caucasus.
The city council of Highland voted to recognize the independence of
the breakaway republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is at the center
of a territorial dispute between Armenia and neighboring Azerbaijan.
The council also voted in November to establish a sister city
relationship with the city of Berdzor in the territory.
The AzerNews site reported Friday that Azerbaijan's Consulate General
in Los Angeles sent a letter of protest to Highland City Council.
The strongly worded letter called on the council to rescind the
decisions "which not only violate the US Constitution ... but also
strongly contradict the spirit of strong and successful partnership
between Azerbaijan and the United States."
The US does not recognize Nagorno-Karbakah as an independent state,
nor does any other member of the United Nations. The US is part of
the OSCE's three-nation Minsk Group with Russia and France, which
has been working to find a solution to the conflict for two decades.
The Nagorno-Karabakh dispute flared up in 1988, when the region's
predominantly ethnic Armenian population began large-scale protests
against Azerbaijani rule, seeking first to become part of Armenia
and later declaring independence.
The region descended into war as the Soviet Union collapsed. An
estimated 1 million people were made refugees and up to 30,000 died
before a ceasefire was established in 1994.
By the time fighting ended, ethnic Armenian forces, supported by
Armenia, had established control over the whole of Nagorno-Karabakh
and occupied several surrounding regions in Azerbaijan.
Diplomatic efforts have failed to establish a final peace agreement
between the two sides and the dispute continues as an unstable
"frozen conflict." Armenia insists on international recognition
of Nagorno-Karabah's right to self-determination, while Azerbaijan
demands support for its territorial integrity.
Highland has a population of 54,154 according to US Census figures and
is the second California municipality to recognize the independence
of Nagorno-Karabakh this year.
The Board of Supervisors of Fresno County passed a similar
resolution in April, and called upon the California Legislature to
grant Nagorno-Karabakh official recognition. California has a large
Armenian diaspora population.