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REP. CICILLINE MARKS SUMGAIT, BAKU AND KIROVABAD POGROMS
12:23 05.03.2014
U.S. Representative David Cicilline (D-RI) offered strong condemnation
of the Azerbaijani massacres in Sumgait, Baku and Kirovabad and spoke
out in support of the democratic right to self-determination of the
people of Artsakh in powerful statements issued in commemoration of
these crimes, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).
The complete text of the statement by Representative Cicilline is
provided below.
"Today we commemorate the 26th Anniversary of the horrific Sumgait
Pogroms. On February 27, 1988 organized mobs of Azerbaijanis aimed at
killing and driving Armenian Christians living in Sumgait from their
homes. Armed with sticks, axes and iron rods, they attacked Armenian
men, women and children by breaking into their homes and brutally
beating and killing them just because of their ethnicity. Despite
Sumgait's 30 minute proximity to Baku, police allowed the pogroms to
go on for 3 days, during which Armenians were burned alive and thrown
from windows.
These acts were merely a continuation of the Azerbaijani authorities'
unswerving policy of racism towards Armenians and ethnic cleansing
of the Armenian population, with unpunished killings and deportations.
The Sumgait massacre is a black mark on history and sadly, this event
sparked further violence as Armenians would be targeted less than 9
months later in Kirovabad and again in Baku in 1990.
The Azerbaijani Government has shamefully continued to undermine
prospects for a lasting peace in the Southern Caucasus, recently in
2012, pardoning an Azerbaijani military officer Ramil Safarov who
brutally murdered Armenian military officer Gurgen Margaryan during
a NATO-sponsored Partnership for Peace exercise in 2004. Safarov
confessed and was convicted in Budapest for brutally axing Margaryan
while he was sleeping. Safarov never showed remorse for the murder and
stated that he wished he had killed more Armenians. Immediately after
his pardon Safarov received a promotion in the Azerbaijani military,
an apartment, and years of back pay for his time spent in prison.
For more than 20 years, the people of Nagorno Karabakh have fought and
died for their independence. From the earliest days of its formation,
the Republic's freely elected governmental bodies have helped build
an open democratic society through transparent elections and it
is critical that the United States support their independence and
autonomy.
As we reflect on these horrific outbreaks of ethnic violence, I join
with Armenians in Rhode Island, and across the world in remembering
these victims and renewing our commitment to justice, independence
and finding lasting peace.
I am proud to say Rhode Island was the first state in our
nation to pass a resolution to recognize the Independence of the
NagornoKarabakhRepublic and set an example for other legislatures to
follow, like Massachusetts, Maine and Louisiana. The time has come
for the United States Congress to do the same."
http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/03/05/rep-cicilline-marks-sumgait-baku-and-kirovabad-pogroms/
12:23 05.03.2014
U.S. Representative David Cicilline (D-RI) offered strong condemnation
of the Azerbaijani massacres in Sumgait, Baku and Kirovabad and spoke
out in support of the democratic right to self-determination of the
people of Artsakh in powerful statements issued in commemoration of
these crimes, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).
The complete text of the statement by Representative Cicilline is
provided below.
"Today we commemorate the 26th Anniversary of the horrific Sumgait
Pogroms. On February 27, 1988 organized mobs of Azerbaijanis aimed at
killing and driving Armenian Christians living in Sumgait from their
homes. Armed with sticks, axes and iron rods, they attacked Armenian
men, women and children by breaking into their homes and brutally
beating and killing them just because of their ethnicity. Despite
Sumgait's 30 minute proximity to Baku, police allowed the pogroms to
go on for 3 days, during which Armenians were burned alive and thrown
from windows.
These acts were merely a continuation of the Azerbaijani authorities'
unswerving policy of racism towards Armenians and ethnic cleansing
of the Armenian population, with unpunished killings and deportations.
The Sumgait massacre is a black mark on history and sadly, this event
sparked further violence as Armenians would be targeted less than 9
months later in Kirovabad and again in Baku in 1990.
The Azerbaijani Government has shamefully continued to undermine
prospects for a lasting peace in the Southern Caucasus, recently in
2012, pardoning an Azerbaijani military officer Ramil Safarov who
brutally murdered Armenian military officer Gurgen Margaryan during
a NATO-sponsored Partnership for Peace exercise in 2004. Safarov
confessed and was convicted in Budapest for brutally axing Margaryan
while he was sleeping. Safarov never showed remorse for the murder and
stated that he wished he had killed more Armenians. Immediately after
his pardon Safarov received a promotion in the Azerbaijani military,
an apartment, and years of back pay for his time spent in prison.
For more than 20 years, the people of Nagorno Karabakh have fought and
died for their independence. From the earliest days of its formation,
the Republic's freely elected governmental bodies have helped build
an open democratic society through transparent elections and it
is critical that the United States support their independence and
autonomy.
As we reflect on these horrific outbreaks of ethnic violence, I join
with Armenians in Rhode Island, and across the world in remembering
these victims and renewing our commitment to justice, independence
and finding lasting peace.
I am proud to say Rhode Island was the first state in our
nation to pass a resolution to recognize the Independence of the
NagornoKarabakhRepublic and set an example for other legislatures to
follow, like Massachusetts, Maine and Louisiana. The time has come
for the United States Congress to do the same."
http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/03/05/rep-cicilline-marks-sumgait-baku-and-kirovabad-pogroms/