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SEN. KERRY "SHOCKED AND APPALLED" AT AZERBAIJANI RELEASE OF AXE-KILLER SAFAROV
ARMENPRESS
6 September, 2012
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRSS: Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Chairman John Kerry today condemned President Ilham Aliyev's release
of Ramil Safarov, the Azerbaijani army lieutenant who was convicted
of brutally axing to death Armenian soldier Gurgen Margaryan in his
sleep, during a 2004 NATO English-language training course, reports
Armenpress citing ANCA. "I am shocked and appalled that Azerbaijan
not only welcomed Safarov home, but pardoned, promoted, and treated
him as a hero," noted Chairman Kerry, in a statement issued earlier
today. "This needlessly provocative act endangers the fragile peace
between these countries and damages the government of Azerbaijan's
credibility." ANCA Eastern Region Executive Director, and Watertown, MA
resident, Michelle Hagopian welcomed Chairman Kerry's statement, noting
"We join with Armenian Americans from throughout the Commonwealth
in welcoming Senator Kerry's condemnation of Azerbaijan's pardon
of convicted axe-murderer Ramil Safarov. We thank the Senator for
his principled stand against this injustice, and urge him and his
legislative colleagues, in the interest of peace, to act now to cut
off all U.S. military aid, sales, or transfers to Azerbaijan." Sen.
Kerry echoes statements issued by a number of U.S. Representative this
week decrying Azerbaijan's release and subsequent glorification of
Safarov. House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Democrat Henry
Waxman (D-CA) noted that he is "deeply disturbed by the President of
Azerbaijan's decision to pardon Ramil Safarov, an Azerbaijani military
lieutenant who gruesomely murdered Armenian lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan
while the two soldiers were participating in the 2004 NATO Partnership
for Peace program in Hungary. It is an appalling demonstration of
the Azerbaijani government's continued refusal to reconcile with
Armenia and its unwillingness to uphold the rule of law." House
Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat Howard Berman (D-CA)
called Safarov's release "contemptible," noting, "that Safarov in a
premeditated fashion killed Margaryan at a NATO Partnership for Peace
event underscores the cynical brutality of his act. For the Hungarian
Government to have demonstrated leniency in this matter is of grave
concern. The Azerbaijani government's decision to free Safarov is
contemptible and a serious blow to hopes for Armenian-Azerbaijani
peace." Central California Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) told The
Fresno Bee today that "This injustice of international law committed
by the government of Azerbaijan is an outrage, plain and simple." In
a longer statement issued to his constituents, he noted that "We
in the United States stand firm with our friends in Armenia during
these trying times because of our steadfast commitment to justice,
peace and mutual respect. The actions of the Azeri government stand
in stark contrast to these values and underline the need for the
U.S. government to strongly support Armenia and its people." Rep. Anna
Eshoo (D-CA), one of two Members of Congress of Armenian origin,
called for the immediate reincarceration of the Safarov. "Safarov's
release dangerously undermines the rule of law and peace throughout
the region. The Azerbajani government should immediately reverse
its decision to pardon Safarov." Earlier, Congressional Armenian
Genocide Resolution architect Adam Schiff (D-CA) commented that
"Hungary, where Safarov was supposed to be serving a life sentence,
and Azerbaijan owe the international community an explanation for
this terrible subversion of justice. This is an appalling result
in the case of a confessed killer." The ANCA reported last week on
statements issued by Congressional Armenian Caucus co-Chair Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) and senior House Foreign Affairs Committee Member Brad
Sherman's condemnation of the Safarov release.
White House and State Department condemnation was swift last week,
following thousands of calls and emails from Armenian Americans across
the U.S. expressing outrage. The White House statement, issued in the
name of National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor, underscores
the President's view that, "This action is contrary to ongoing efforts
to reduce regional tensions and promote reconciliation." Vietor goes
on to note that "The United States is also requesting an explanation
from Hungary regarding its decision to transfer Safarov to Azerbaijan."
ARMENPRESS
6 September, 2012
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 6, ARMENPRSS: Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Chairman John Kerry today condemned President Ilham Aliyev's release
of Ramil Safarov, the Azerbaijani army lieutenant who was convicted
of brutally axing to death Armenian soldier Gurgen Margaryan in his
sleep, during a 2004 NATO English-language training course, reports
Armenpress citing ANCA. "I am shocked and appalled that Azerbaijan
not only welcomed Safarov home, but pardoned, promoted, and treated
him as a hero," noted Chairman Kerry, in a statement issued earlier
today. "This needlessly provocative act endangers the fragile peace
between these countries and damages the government of Azerbaijan's
credibility." ANCA Eastern Region Executive Director, and Watertown, MA
resident, Michelle Hagopian welcomed Chairman Kerry's statement, noting
"We join with Armenian Americans from throughout the Commonwealth
in welcoming Senator Kerry's condemnation of Azerbaijan's pardon
of convicted axe-murderer Ramil Safarov. We thank the Senator for
his principled stand against this injustice, and urge him and his
legislative colleagues, in the interest of peace, to act now to cut
off all U.S. military aid, sales, or transfers to Azerbaijan." Sen.
Kerry echoes statements issued by a number of U.S. Representative this
week decrying Azerbaijan's release and subsequent glorification of
Safarov. House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Democrat Henry
Waxman (D-CA) noted that he is "deeply disturbed by the President of
Azerbaijan's decision to pardon Ramil Safarov, an Azerbaijani military
lieutenant who gruesomely murdered Armenian lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan
while the two soldiers were participating in the 2004 NATO Partnership
for Peace program in Hungary. It is an appalling demonstration of
the Azerbaijani government's continued refusal to reconcile with
Armenia and its unwillingness to uphold the rule of law." House
Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat Howard Berman (D-CA)
called Safarov's release "contemptible," noting, "that Safarov in a
premeditated fashion killed Margaryan at a NATO Partnership for Peace
event underscores the cynical brutality of his act. For the Hungarian
Government to have demonstrated leniency in this matter is of grave
concern. The Azerbaijani government's decision to free Safarov is
contemptible and a serious blow to hopes for Armenian-Azerbaijani
peace." Central California Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) told The
Fresno Bee today that "This injustice of international law committed
by the government of Azerbaijan is an outrage, plain and simple." In
a longer statement issued to his constituents, he noted that "We
in the United States stand firm with our friends in Armenia during
these trying times because of our steadfast commitment to justice,
peace and mutual respect. The actions of the Azeri government stand
in stark contrast to these values and underline the need for the
U.S. government to strongly support Armenia and its people." Rep. Anna
Eshoo (D-CA), one of two Members of Congress of Armenian origin,
called for the immediate reincarceration of the Safarov. "Safarov's
release dangerously undermines the rule of law and peace throughout
the region. The Azerbajani government should immediately reverse
its decision to pardon Safarov." Earlier, Congressional Armenian
Genocide Resolution architect Adam Schiff (D-CA) commented that
"Hungary, where Safarov was supposed to be serving a life sentence,
and Azerbaijan owe the international community an explanation for
this terrible subversion of justice. This is an appalling result
in the case of a confessed killer." The ANCA reported last week on
statements issued by Congressional Armenian Caucus co-Chair Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) and senior House Foreign Affairs Committee Member Brad
Sherman's condemnation of the Safarov release.
White House and State Department condemnation was swift last week,
following thousands of calls and emails from Armenian Americans across
the U.S. expressing outrage. The White House statement, issued in the
name of National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor, underscores
the President's view that, "This action is contrary to ongoing efforts
to reduce regional tensions and promote reconciliation." Vietor goes
on to note that "The United States is also requesting an explanation
from Hungary regarding its decision to transfer Safarov to Azerbaijan."