Calls on Administration and Congress to Block Baku’s March Toward War
WASHINGTON—Amid escalating Azerbaijani attacks this week against both Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, the Armenian National Committee of America circulated a set of seven specific policy recommendations for the Obama Administration and the U.S. Congress to check Baku’s aggression and support the peaceful and democratic resolution of Azerbaijan’s conflicts with Armenia and the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh).
In an ANCA memo sent this week to Congressional offices, ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian stressed that: “It’s time for America and the rest of the international community to take Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at his word when he openly threatens to restart his war against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. The cost of appeasement – and the dangers of a renewed war – are far too high for us to either dismiss Aliyev’s threats or to ignore the hazard he represents to the region and beyond.”
Among the policy recommendations being advanced by the ANCA is the immediate suspension by the Obama Administration of all military aid to Azerbaijan, and a ban on the sale or transfer to Baku of any military equipment or potentially dual-use items.
An ANCA action alert calls on activists to share these seven policy recommendation with their Members of Congress. Send a free ANCA WebMail to your federal legislators.
An ANCA Facebook Note including these talking points and action items.
The full text of the ANCA memo is provided below. A PDF file of the ANCA’s talking points and action items.
Azeri Aggression, June 2012
On June 4th, during the early hours of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to the Caucasus, Azerbaijan launched a brazen attack into the Tavush region of Armenia, killing three Armenian soldiers, sparking a renewed round of violence, and setting back the cause of a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
Azerbaijani Aggression – Key Points:
The following message points support a peaceful and democratic resolution of Azerbaijan’s conflicts with Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (Artsakh):
— The international community’s failure to restrain, or even to criticize, Ilham Aliyev’s oil-fueled march toward war has emboldened Baku, and left the land-locked and blockaded citizens and soldiers of Armenia and Artsakh with little choice other than to defend themselves against Azerbaijan’s aggression.
— The first line of defense against Azerbaijan’s aggression should be strong international condemnation, coupled with diplomatic and economic pressure to deter Baku from pursuing a military solution to its conflicts with Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
— Bought or bullied into silence, far too many leaders of the international community have stood by silently as Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has openly acted on his violent threats to re-start his war on Armenia and Artsakh.
— In the face of Azerbaijan’s open threats and repeated acts of anti-Armenian aggression (including official threats to shoot down civilian aircraft), the international community continues to give Azerbaijan the benefit of a doubt that it neither seeks nor deserves.
— Ilham Aliyev makes no secret of his military build-up and his march toward war, takes pride in his acts of violence, and offers no apologies for the growing number of citizens and soldiers being killed due to his aggression.
— It’s time for America and the rest of the international community to take Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at his word when he openly threatens to restart his war against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. The cost of appeasement – and the dangers of a renewed war – are far too high for us to either dismiss Aliyev’s threats or to ignore the hazard he represents to the region and beyond.
Seven Policy Recommendation for a More Secure Caucasus:
The following seven steps by the Administration and Congress would help deter further Azerbaijani destabilization of the region, and support the peaceful and democratic resolution of regional conflicts:
1. The Obama Administration should publicly, forcefully, and unequivocally condemn Azerbaijan’s acts of aggression and threats of renewed war.
2. The Obama Administration should suspend all military aid to Azerbaijan, and stop the sale or transfer to Baku of any military equipment or dual-use items (including the proposed sale of advanced helicopter-based surveillance equipment – DDTC 12-002).
3. The Obama Administration should fully enforce Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act until Baku has stopped its threats of war, ceased all acts of aggression, demonstrated a commitment to a lasting peace with Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh through solely non-violent means, and has accepted the OSCE Minsk Group’s call to pull back all snipers (a proposal already accepted by both Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh).
4. The U.S. House-Senate conference committee charged with reconciling the FY13 foreign aid bill should accept the House version’s allocation of at least $5 million in aid to Nagorno Karabakh.
5. The Obama Administration should support the reinstatement of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh as a full participant in all peace talks, including the negotiations hosted by the OSCE Minsk Group.
6. The Obama Administration should remove out-dated, counter-productive barriers to broad-based U.S.-Nagorno Karabakh governmental and civil society communication, exchanges, contacts, cooperation, and travel.
7. The Obama Administration should insist that the Azerbaijani government end restrictions on U.S. Embassy officials and third-party experts visiting and investigating the medieval Armenian cemetery, in Djulfa, Azerbaijan, which was destroyed in December of 2005 in a videotaped act of systematic desecration by the Azerbaijani military.
As a US Citizen I demand Obama to condem this act by the Azerbaijan goverment and act ASAP on this important matter as all of our more then 1 million of our votes are waiting for our great president to do the right thing by this November!
let us have a more realistic look to the latest Azerbaijani provocations
First of All: NATO as well some irresponsible EU officials (are partially responsible for the latest Turkish-Azerbaijani provocations in Tavush region of Armenia. Baku ( in coordination with Turkey) wanted to have their own interpretation of NATO papers and send a messages what it means when NATO in its Chicago summit did mention territorial integrity of Armenia. Statements of NATO regarding “territorial integrity of Armenia” make no sense, since Armenia is not in war and there were not a request from Armenia that NATO has to make announcements regarding “territorial integrity of Armenia” , only Ankara and Baku are for such statements, since NKR being left out as Armenian territory! . NATO has no right to make statements as if Armenian territorial integrity were/being questioned – NATO-declaration gave officials in Baku a “go” to carry out provocations! NATO is hiding behind terms like “supporting of territorial integrity of Armenia” in order to justify its pro Azerbaijani statements!- Therefor the latest provocation of Turkish-Azerbaijani is a direct result of NATO declaration in Chicago and a clear message to Russia too- Azerbaijan wanted to give the NATO paper more “weight” and so on …
Second: IF the rude spoke person of Azerbaijani army believes Azerbaijani need 10 days to “free Karabakh” be sure Karabakh would – in such case- need only one day to turn Azerbaijan as one of the poorest country of the world, after that the spoke person of Azerbaijani war ministry could take the remaining 9 days holiday. After powerful military parade in Stepanakert Azerbaijani official have realize that they have lost Karabakh for ever- as soon as air forces of NKR will be able to make the sky over Baku uncertain, Armenian forces will pull out from so called “Azerbaijani occupied territories” , since NKR would be able not only to control all freed former Armenian territories but even will be able to teach Baku a second lessen, if needed . That is way Azerbaijani officials got in panic but a provocation at that time were not in interest failed of Baku. The headlines regarding fights and dead Azerbaijani solders would have made Eurovision counties think twice, before sending their kids to Baku- That is way Azerbaijan did wait with its failed provocation till the visit of H. Clinton (Azerbaijani president doesn´t miss any opportunity to come up with rude statements insult Armenians, he is silence sine the provocation went wrong) – above kidnaping Armenian soldiers and civilians) for future ugly propaganda TV shows to boost his image)
Third. Azerbaijan and Turkey are making every effort and provocations hopping to nullify – with the help of UNSC and NATO – the cease fire agreement signed by the de facto Karabakh republic and replace it with “Armenian-Azerbaijani cease fire regime”. The goal is to make it for Russia (and new military pact) hard to support Armenia openly in case of a Turkish supported Azerbaijani aggression against Armenia. Well, UN has enough problems to follow Azerbaijani provocations to send UN troops to Armenian Tavush region… beside these not all European counties are for supporting “pan Turan” and happy with Turkish-Azerbaijani war games
Fourth: Armenia and NKR should demand form UN to stop sending money for “Azerbaijani refugees” which remain a hostage in the hands of criminal regime in Baku. If Azerbaijani is able to turn down 100 of houses and spend billions and build within mounts a disco for 25 000 peoples and buy luxury Apartments in Dubai and elsewhere, how comes that the same Azerbaijani regime has no money to build houses for so called “refuges” since they have enough territories – NKR officials have many reason to demand form OSCE M-group to not bring the issue of “return of Azerbaijani refugees” to NKR on the table any more, since these so called refugees were forced to move and settle down in Karabakh by the order of Soviet rulers in Baku!
Fifth: so called “update Madrid principles” are anti-Armenian in core and not realistic since there end result would be turning NKR to a second Balkan – this would be a civil war given the latest statement made by fascist Azerbaijani president, who has declared every Armenian as enemy!
The reason NATO involves Armenia as in “Territorial Integrity” is because Artsakh is Not recognized as a Nation!
Enough of fooling ourselves. Give the Azerbaijan the hell. Watch out we are coming……
Taking under consideration of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s attitude and reaction, based on what she said in Armenia about what she will do when she goes to Azerbaijan, when her appearance and gesture with Alyev, were very contradictory. I believe Nothing will happen.
President of Azebaijan Aliyev is a famous draft dodger. During the Karabakh war in nineties he was vacationing and gambling in Turkey. This chicken-hawk don’t know what is a real war and easily sacrifices others life. However, his aggressive statements and violent threats should be taken seriously. It is time to stop policy of appeasement and tell him directly that his behavior is unacceptable for America and international community.