WASHINGTON—Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Executive Director Aram Hamparian issued the following statement regarding Azerbaijan’s most recent attacks against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
“The Azerbaijani government’s July 31 and August 1 cross-border attacks against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh are the latest examples of its reckless military aggression in the face of international efforts to stabilize the region and set the groundwork for a fair and enduring peace.”
“The OSCE Minsk Group’s unwillingness to clearly condemn Azerbaijani military strikes has fostered a dangerous atmosphere of impunity that has clearly contributed to this recent escalation of violence. It is time for peace negotiators to break their bad habit of answering Aliyev’s every assault with artificial even-handedness and diplomatic double-talk. Only by unequivocally denouncing Azerbaijan’s attacks can they hope to constrain Aliyev’s march toward a renewed Caucasus war. An important first step would be an OSCE-led international campaign demanding that Baku lift its opposition to the withdrawal of all snipers, a life-saving proposal that Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh have supported for over 3 years.”
On July 31 and August 1, Azerbaijani attacks on the lines of contact with Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh have resulted in over 10 deaths. U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf issued a statement on August 1 expressing United States “concern about the escalation of violence,” but stopped short of clearly condemning Azerbaijani aggression. The statement went on to call on “the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to meet at the earliest opportunity to resume dialogue on key issues.”
Ms. Harf’s complete statement is available at:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/230150.htm
Earlier in the day, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group Co-Chair, Ambassador James Warlick tweeted “We are seriously concerned about the recent upsurge in violence along the Line Of Contact. The ceasefire needs to be respected. #NKpeace”
Guest Contributor
Latest posts by Guest Contributor (see all)
- Ani Nalbandian introduces her new book to Mourad Armenian School students - December 18, 2024
- A special release show for Arto Vaun’s “Stuck Inside a Map” - December 17, 2024
- UCLA announces release of documentary on Armenian Genocide looted art and restitution - December 17, 2024
A few artillery shells or missiles placed on the BTC and BTE pipelines that run just north of Artsakh will get the attention of the OSCE. That is probably the only thing that will.
I don’t think the OSCE wants to see a war that Azerbaijan will lose, with the loss of all that gas
and oil and the shock it will deliver to the oil and gas markets. Russia, however, wants a war for just that reason. Chaos in the Caucasus, and the destruction of Western bound pipelines is very much desired by Russia. That is Russia’s game. Russia then gets to sell more weapons to each side too. The loss of Armenian life has never meant anything to our “ally”.
Vahe, it may be true about Russia not being a ‘true’ ally or caring about Armenian lives, however, we must realize that unless Armenia’s interests are paralleled with Russia’s we could land ourselves in serious trouble, being that Russia’s presence in Armenia is not going away anytime soon. This is the tactic of Israel and the US, they have convinced the US that they share America’s principles, interests, etc. True, Israel has a much better deal than we do, but that doesn’t mean we can’t benefit from Russia or her interests. In essence, we must outfox the fox so to speak, to make gains for ourselves, our people, culture, country and future. I have confidence in Armenia, there are a lot of brilliant Armenians in Armenia, and I pray that if a war ever erupts that they already have the appropriate plan of action to ensure Armenia’s future.
On the subject of blowing up the pipelines of Azerbaijan, in the US, I for one would be glad to pay $10 per gallon gas if it means that the belligerent Turkish proxy and her military threat is removed from Armenia’s border and future.
this is not news. this is propaganda. there are also Azerbaijani deaths. stop spreading hate. we should work together, not blame one another and ask third parties to fix OUR problems. it starts with dialogue and debates and discussion, not pointing fingers like two year old children.
Vahe is right as rgds the Oil politics game.However, what will we GAIN?
is the question.Nada!!! nothing.So why should we bother to throw in a few missiles there.To let the BTC Oil giants that the Armenians can harm them ,their business rather??
No I do not think it wise to act like that. Our difference with these people has no such solutions.
If anything Armenians must ask THESE OIL GIANTS TO CONSIDER PAYING HALF OF WHAT THEY ARE PAYING GRDAT TURKEY.I understand when the flow of the precious liquid began,some 8/10 yrs ago the Oil companies involved were paying some 1.6 Billion dollars a yr to great Turkey.Fact is, the Oil pipeline passes through Western Armenian lands -whjich again is my point-that they purpossefully(don´t believe that) or erroneously also don´t believe it..they overlooked the SHORT ROUTE VIA ARMENIA!!!
I think they did that ,rather to please great Turkey….
The West, has always sided with latter,whether you like it or not.They still believe that she has an important role in the region.
My foot!!! great Turkey knows full well they cannot any more rule over either arabic countries nor IRAN.They have become a paper tiger!like an Iranian friend once told me….
And if the West thinks great Ally Turkey-in case of larger conflict will side with them and fight against mighty RUSSIA.they err again.Turks know better not to get involved with russia that possesses nuclear capability and can strike her quick and flat!!!!
They are paling old time Ottoman game of pretending they PAINT SOMETHING IN THE REGION.Accepted in the old times they did,but not anymore…
Forget the major powers. Don’t trust the Russians or the west. Armenia needs to keep boosting its military to the teeth..The Turks understand one thing: the good possibility that they themselves will be killed as well. Turks are predators and opportunists. They are not stupid.
KNOW YOUR ENEMY AND KNOW YOUR FRIEND. The only thing we should really understand is: “OV JOGHOVOURT KO MIAG PERGOUTIOUNE KO HAVAKAGAN UJI METCH E”. TRUST NO ONE BUT YOURSELF. AMEN
The problem here, revolves around those three deceitful hypocrite countries who make up the fake, peace-preaching OSCE Minsk Group. They certainly have no intention of condemning Azerbaijan for its persistent acts of violence against Artsakh and Armenia. The reason, of course, is that by doing so, it will not serve their national interests. Therefore, due to the OSCE Minsk Group’s unwillingness to condemn Azerbaijani aggression, Armenia and Artsakh have no other alternative than to fight back and defend themselves. As a matter of fact, they need to do this each and every time violent acts are committed against them by the Azeris.
{“. this is propaganda. there are also Azerbaijani deaths. stop spreading hate”}
(Maral // August 3, 2014 at 5:05 am //)
Who is spreading hate ?
Azerbaijani leadership _and_ ordinary people of Azerbaijan (…as shown in a video from Baku) venerate a psychopath ax murderer as a national hero.
As long as the victim is an Armenian, it is great news for Azerbaijanis.
A few days ago an Azerbaijani commando crime-team invaded Armenian lands, abducted a local 17 year old shepherd boy, stabbed him multiple times – invadonomad style – and dumped his body in the forest. The criminals also seriously wounded an Armenian civilian woman: fortunately she survived due to rapid medical response.
Daily, Azerbaijanis shell Armenian villages near the border to prevent agricultural harvest: so that the Armenian villagers starve and are forced to leave their native lands.
Who is spreading hate ?
Who is spreading death and destruction ?
As to Azerbaijani deaths: do not invade Armenian lands and do not kill or murder Armenians, and there will be no Azerbaijani deaths.