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Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.armenianassembly.org
MEDIA ALERT
September 27, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
RE: Washington Times publishes Assembly "Letter to the Editor"
The Armenian Assembly of America would like to call your attention to a
"Letter to the Editor," which was submitted to The Washington Times by
Assembly Executive Director Ross Vartian and published on September 22,
2004. The letter was written in response to a September 19 Times article
entitled, "Keeping a Key Caspian Ally."
The letter may also be accessed at the following link:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20040924-090617-3679r.htm
AZERBAIJANIS AND NAGORNO-KARABAKH
On Azerbaijan, S. Rob Sobhani believes he is right on the mark: It
has oil, and the West needs that oil, so Washington has one choice,
to support the Azerbaijani government regardless of its aggressive
policies toward its Armenian neighbors or its universally acknowledged
dismal record on corruption and human rights ("Keeping a key Caspian
ally," Commentary, Saturday).
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the agreement that gave the
United States access to Azerbaijan's oil reserves, but it also marks
10 years since the cease-fire in Nagorno Karabakh, which should have
been a prelude to a negotiated peaceful settlement.
However, ten years into the cease-fire, Azerbaijan's response to the
popular demand of the Nagorno Karabakh Armenians for self determination
has not changed. Like the pogroms and mass deportations in the months
before the Azerbaijani-initiated war, threats of more of the same
continue today.
To quote remarks by Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Ramiz
Melikov published August 4, 2004 in the Azerbaijani press: "In
the next 20-30 years there will be no Armenian state in the South
Caucasus. This nation has been a nuisance for its neighbors and has
no right to live in this region." Also, to quote former Azerbaijani
President Heydar Aliyev's own National Security Adviser Vafa Guluzade:
"Armenians should be driven out ... The entire population of Nagorno
Karabakh should be moved from there ... this problem will not be
resolved as long as Armenians are in Nagorno Karabakh."
Is this the policy Mr. Sobhani wants the United States to support? Is
this what the American people want their government to support?
Is Azerbaijani oil so important that the United States should
encourage and defend a leadership that clearly advocates not just
another military offensive against Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia, but
also ethnic cleansing and the demise of Armenia against its population?
Oil is one thing; the price for oil espoused by Mr. Sobhani is
something else.
Sincerely,
Ross Vartian
Executive Director
Armenian Assembly of America
Washington
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
NR#2004-088
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.armenianassembly.org
MEDIA ALERT
September 27, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
RE: Washington Times publishes Assembly "Letter to the Editor"
The Armenian Assembly of America would like to call your attention to a
"Letter to the Editor," which was submitted to The Washington Times by
Assembly Executive Director Ross Vartian and published on September 22,
2004. The letter was written in response to a September 19 Times article
entitled, "Keeping a Key Caspian Ally."
The letter may also be accessed at the following link:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20040924-090617-3679r.htm
AZERBAIJANIS AND NAGORNO-KARABAKH
On Azerbaijan, S. Rob Sobhani believes he is right on the mark: It
has oil, and the West needs that oil, so Washington has one choice,
to support the Azerbaijani government regardless of its aggressive
policies toward its Armenian neighbors or its universally acknowledged
dismal record on corruption and human rights ("Keeping a key Caspian
ally," Commentary, Saturday).
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the agreement that gave the
United States access to Azerbaijan's oil reserves, but it also marks
10 years since the cease-fire in Nagorno Karabakh, which should have
been a prelude to a negotiated peaceful settlement.
However, ten years into the cease-fire, Azerbaijan's response to the
popular demand of the Nagorno Karabakh Armenians for self determination
has not changed. Like the pogroms and mass deportations in the months
before the Azerbaijani-initiated war, threats of more of the same
continue today.
To quote remarks by Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Ramiz
Melikov published August 4, 2004 in the Azerbaijani press: "In
the next 20-30 years there will be no Armenian state in the South
Caucasus. This nation has been a nuisance for its neighbors and has
no right to live in this region." Also, to quote former Azerbaijani
President Heydar Aliyev's own National Security Adviser Vafa Guluzade:
"Armenians should be driven out ... The entire population of Nagorno
Karabakh should be moved from there ... this problem will not be
resolved as long as Armenians are in Nagorno Karabakh."
Is this the policy Mr. Sobhani wants the United States to support? Is
this what the American people want their government to support?
Is Azerbaijani oil so important that the United States should
encourage and defend a leadership that clearly advocates not just
another military offensive against Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia, but
also ethnic cleansing and the demise of Armenia against its population?
Oil is one thing; the price for oil espoused by Mr. Sobhani is
something else.
Sincerely,
Ross Vartian
Executive Director
Armenian Assembly of America
Washington
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
NR#2004-088