Congressional Armenian Caucus Leaders Condemn Azerbaijan’s Latest Attempt to Ethnically Cleanse Artsakh’s Indigenous Armenians

ANCA Rallies Community and Coalition Partners to Block U.S. Military Aid to Azerbaijan; Deliver U.S. Aid to Artsakh

August 4, 2022

WASHINGTON, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee senior member Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Jackie Speier (D-CA) led Congressional calls on the Biden Administration to press Azerbaijan to end its most recent attacks on Artsakh’s Lachin corridor connecting Armenia and Artsakh – assaults that killed two Artsakh defense army soldiers and injured over nineteen, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

In a tweet issued just hours after Azerbaijan’s attacks, Rep. Pallone noted “this is the latest example of Aliyev threatening the people of Artsakh over absurd demands like the closing of the Lachin corridor. I urge the @StateDept and @USOSCE to condemn these actions and use every diplomatic tool available to halt Aliyev’s dangerous actions.”

Rep. Speier concurred, tweeting, “Aliyev will only stop his bloody drone strike campaign against the people of Artsakh if/when the U.S. shows leadership & strength. Pull all U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan immediately until it comes to the negotiating table.”

Senator Rubio’s press team tweeted, “Troubling violence is escalating in the ethnic Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh region. #Azerbaijan must immediately put a stop to this conflict and work with #Armenia to reach a peaceful end to this dispute.”

Similar concerns were shared by Representatives Katherine Clark (D-MA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL).

Rep. Clark tweeted, “Yet again, Azerbaijan is shamelessly violating the ceasefire agreement with Armenia. The State Department must hold the Aliyev regime accountable for its attacks on Artsakh. It is vital that we stand up for the innocent lives at risk, the sovereignty of Armenia, & secure peace.”

Rep. Eshoo noted, “Azerbaijan’s deadly drone strikes against Artsakh are a blatant violation of the 2020 ceasefire. I strongly condemn Azerbaijan’s aggression & urge
@StateDept to use every diplomatic tool available to prevent further escalation, including suspending U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan.”

Rep. Krishnamoorthi emphasized that “There is no place for the violent attacks that we are seeing from Azerbaijan. I urge the Aliyev regime to cease all attacks on Artsakh, and to return to the negotiating table to find a peaceful settlement for all parties.”

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian issued a live call to action on the ANCA’s Facebook and Twitter platforms urging supporters of Artsakh freedom to call the White House and urge President Biden to enforce U.S. sanctions on Azerbaijan and stop sending U.S. military arms and aid to the brutal Aliyev regime. Hamparian argued that U.S. taxpayers should not be funding Azerbaijan’s aggression against Artsakh’s indigenous Armenian population. Hamparian also urged advocates to write their Senators and Representative by visiting anca.org/907 to unequivocally condemn Azerbaijan’s attack, stop military aid to Azerbaijan, and expand life-saving humanitarian assistance to Artsakh.

“To be clear, the Azerbaijani army that is today ethnically cleansing Artsakh – launching rockets and drone strikes against its indigenous Christian Armenian population – is getting U.S. military aid,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “These are our tax dollars – materially strengthening Azerbaijan’s military and morally emboldening the Aliyev regime. We are committed – as Americans and Armenians – to see this reckless program ended, Azerbaijani war crimes investigated, and Ilham Aliyev and his regime held to account.”

ANC Artsakh’s Gev Iskajyan shared the latest news from Stepanakert in a live video on the ANCA’s Facebook platform.

ANCA Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan has been leading Congressional outreach on Capitol Hill, sharing the latest news with Congressional offices and key Senate and House leaders who are crafting the Fiscal Year 2023 foreign aid bill and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Joined by sixteen ANCA Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy participants, Yerimyan is distributing a two-page ANCA white paper on Azerbaijan’s attacks.

ANCA Summer Academy participants issued a video call to action in support of Artsakh from Capitol Hill

State Department Spokesman Ned Price issued a weak statement calling for the “de-escalation” tensions around Nagorno Karabakh, once again falling short of clearly and unequivocally condemning Azerbaijani aggression. “The United States is deeply concerned by and closely following reports of intensive fighting around Nagorno-Karabakh, including casualties and the loss of life. We urge immediate steps to reduce tensions and avoid further escalation. The recent increase in tensions underscores the need for a negotiated, comprehensive, and sustainable settlement of all remaining issues related to or resulting from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” stated Price.

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