U.S. Rep. recalls then-senator Kerry's support on Armenian Genocide

U.S. Rep. recalls then-senator Kerry's support on Armenian Genocide
March 14, 2014 - 10:24 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - During a hearing before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) praised Secretary of State John Kerry for his Senate record on the Armenian Genocide and encouraged him to continue to advocate for U.S. affirmation, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).

"I commend you as Senator Kerry for your incredible record fighting for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and hope that as Secretary Kerry you will do likewise," stated Sherman.

Inviting the Secretary to submit his answers for the record, Rep. Sherman also raised concerns about Azerbaijan's hostile acts against Armenians and recounted the brutal murder in Hungary at a 2004 NATO Partnership for Peace training program of Armenian Army Lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan by Azeri Army Lieutenant Ramil Safarov, as well as continued threats by Azerbaijan's president to shoot down any planes flying in and out of the Stepanakert airport in the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh.

"The Azeri soldier that murdered a sleeping Armenian soldier at a NATO exercise has been promoted and praised and in light of that and other aggressive actions, I hope that you will review and perhaps withdraw any military assistance to Azerbaijan," stated Sherman. He added, "I hope that you will also warn the Azeris that it is simply outrageous for them to threaten to shoot down civilian aircraft that try to fly into the Nagorno Karabakh airport."

"We commend Congressman Sherman for raising these critically important issues with Secretary Kerry," stated Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "On the eve of the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Congressman Sherman's remarks serve as a timely reminder to the Administration to fulfill its commitment," Ardouny added.

Gurgen Margaryan

On February 19, 2004, Lieutenant of the Armenian Armed Forces Gurgen Margaryan, 26, was hacked to death, while asleep, by a fellow Azerbaijani participant, lieutenant Ramil Safarov, in Budapest during a three-month English language course in the framework of Partnership for Peace NATO-sponsored program. In accordance with Budapest District Court sentence dated April 13, 2006, Ramil Safarov was life imprisoned for murdering the Armenian officer.

On February 22, 2007, Budapest Court rejected the Azerbaijani military officer's appeal against a life sentence. The appeal court ruled that the decision brought by Budapest District Court against 30-year-old Lieutenant Ramil Safarov, should stand.

On August 31, 2012, Hungary extradited Safarov back to Azerbaijan, where he was promptly pardoned by President Ilham Aliyev.

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