ANCA Calls on Congressional Intelligence Committees to Release Information about Azerbaijani Attacks

April 6, 2016

Washington, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has called upon the bipartisan leadership of the U.S. Senate and House intelligence committees to release geospatial, signals, cyber, measurement and signature, and other forms of intelligence related to Azerbaijan’s April 2nd offensive against Nagorno Karabakh. The cross-border attack came immediately in the wake of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s meetings in Washington, DC with Vice President Joe Biden Secretary of State John Kerry.

In a letter sent to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence earlier today, ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian wrote: “We are, consistent with our longstanding support of American efforts to bring about an enduring peace in this pivotal region, interested in understanding whether the U.S. intelligence community was aware that two of the most senior members of our government were meeting with a foreign official who was, as they spoke with him, planning to launch a major military offensive against Nagorno Karabakh – a recipient of U.S. assistance and a constructive partner in the OSCE Minsk Group peace process.” Hamparian added: “We would value your insights on this matter and welcome – within the bounds of the law and the requirements of our national security – the public release of available geospatial, signals, cyber, measurement and signature, and other intelligence regarding Azerbaijan’s military actions.”

The letter closed with the following analysis: “If the U.S. government was aware of Azerbaijan’s preparations, it is clear that the Administration did not adequately deter President Aliyev from his planned course of action. If, on the other hand, our government was not aware of Azerbaijan’s planned assault, that would, in our view, represent a meaningful intelligence failure that should and must be adequately addressed.”

Both House Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) and Ranking Democrat Adam Schiff (D-CA) condemned Azerbaijan’s attacks this week, calling for concrete steps to bring about a lasting peace in the region.

President Aliyev, on April 2nd, launched a major attack against Nagorno Karabakh – the worst since the 1994 ceasefire – only hours after his March 31st meeting with Vice President Joe Biden and days following his March 30th meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry. The Azerbaijani leader was in Washington for the 4th White House Nuclear Summit.

The House and Senate intelligence panels are charged with overseeing the intelligence activities and programs of the United States government.

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