Senate and House Leaders Urge Immediate Implementation of Royce-Engel Peace Proposals
WASHINGTON, DC – Against a backdrop of fresh Azerbaijani attacks that left three dead on Wednesday in the midst of a declared ceasefire, Congressional leaders stepped up condemnation of Aliyev’s major assault on Nagorno Karabakh this week, with calls for U.S. leadership in securing the immediate implementation of the Royce-Engel peace proposals, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
“We echo the principled Congressional calls for urgently needed U.S. leadership in condemning Azerbaijan’s aggression and holding to account its leader, Ilham Aliyev, for his reckless aggression against Artsakh, confirmed reports of war crimes committed by his forces, and his relentless domestic repression of his own citizens,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “We thank each of the legislators who have spoken out and will continue to work with our elected officials – on a bipartisan basis in both houses of Congress – to support efforts to condemn Azerbaijani attacks and constrain Ilham Aliyev’s aggression.”
Senate Appropriations Committee member Mark Kirk (R-IL) called Azerbaijan’s attacks “unacceptable and reckless” noting that “Baku’s warmongering has led to numerous Armenian deaths, both civilian and military, as well as significant Azerbaijani causalities. He went on to issue a call on President Obama and the State Department “to hold President Aliyev fully accountable for this violence, and to support the implementation of the pro-peace steps laid out by Reps. Royce and Engel that include an agreement from all sides not to deploy snipers along the Nagorno Karabakh line of contact, the placement of OSCE-monitored, advanced gunfire-location systems and sound-ranging equipment to determine the source of attacks along the line of contact, and the deployment of additional OSCE observers along the line of contact to better monitor cease-fire violations.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) agreed, noting, “The clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh risk escalating into a dangerous, wider war. The ceasefire must be scrupulously observed, while Azerbaijan needs to implement widely-supported peacekeeping measures along the line of contact, including a withdrawal of snipers and an expanded role for the OSCE.”
The ANCA has called on Chairman Nunes and Ranking Member Adam Schiff (D-CA), who, separately, condemned the attacks early on, to join their counterparts leading the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to address concerns regarding potential intelligence failures associated with Azerbaijan’s April 2nd attacks.
Congressman David Valadao (R-CA) shared his “deep concern” regarding the Azerbaijani military offensive and noted that “The ceasefire previously agreed to by both parties should be honored to prevent this deadly conflict from escalating any further.”
Fellow Central Valley Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) questioned President Aliyev’s commitment to peace, stating “Despite attending meetings in DC with Secretary Kerry and Vice President Biden last week, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev does not appear committed to the peace process and I question his sincerity in trying to reach a resolution.”
Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) echoed those concerns, noting, “The fact this military assault occurred immediately following the summit is deeply troubling and proves Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev is not committed to a peaceful resolution. The Azerbaijani government must be held accountable for these egregious acts, which are an affront to the people of Nagorno Karabakh exercising their right to self-determination.”
House Foreign Affairs Committee Member David Cicilline (D-RI) specifically called out Azerbaijan’s use of sniper fire, “which is in direct violation of the cease-fire agreement and international law, and am appalled by reports that Azerbaijan forces attacked a Red Cross envoy.”
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Linda Sanchez (D-CA) explained, “This escalation of violence risks engulfing the entire region into a long and bloody conflict. I am calling on Azerbaijan to abide by the ceasefire and end hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh.”
Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) who has been outspoken in her condemnation of Azerbaijan’s earlier attacks against Armenians in Sumgait and Baku from 1988-1990, strongly condemned these latest attacks, stating, “I have called on the President to work with both sides in deescalating this conflict, and to suspend aid to Azerbaijan if they continue in their aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. Violence in response to a peaceful independence movement is unacceptable.”
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Robert Dold (R-IL), House Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Member Adam Schiff (D-CA) and House Foreign Affairs Committee Senior Democrat Brad Sherman (D-CA) issued strong condemnations of Azerbaijan’s attack just hours after they began.
The ANCA has activated Armenian Americans and other friends of Armenia in all 50 states, covering nearly every U.S. House district, in the days since Azerbaijan’s April 2nd attacks – the largest and most fatal since the 1994 Nagorno Karabakh cease-fire. These ANCA activists have targeted well over 30,000 messages to the White House, Members of Congress and to OSCE representatives by visiting https://anca.org/stopaliyev. The ANCA has also strongly backed several Congressional letters supporting the Royce-Engel peace initiatives, which include the suspension of military aid to Baku, and the need for forceful U.S. condemnation of Azerbaijani aggression. These letters have been supported collectively by over 90 Members of Congress – representing over 53 million Americans.
The complete statements by all Members of Congress who have condemned Azerbaijan following the April 2nd attacks are provided below.
Armenian National Committee of America