ANCA urges OSCE MG to 'break habit of artificial even-handedness'

ANCA urges OSCE MG to 'break habit of artificial even-handedness'
August 2, 2014 - 10:10 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Executive Director Aram Hamparian issued a statement regarding Azerbaijan's most recent attacks against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

"The Azerbaijani government's July 31 and Aug 1 cross-border attacks against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh are the latest examples of its reckless military aggression in the face of international efforts to stabilize the region and set the groundwork for a fair and enduring peace,"Hamparian said.

"The OSCE Minsk Group's unwillingness to clearly condemn Azerbaijani military strikes has fostered a dangerous atmosphere of impunity that has clearly contributed to this recent escalation of violence. It is time for peace negotiators to break their bad habit of answering Aliyev's every assault with artificial even-handedness and diplomatic double-talk. Only by unequivocally denouncing Azerbaijan's attacks can they hope to constrain Aliyev's march toward a renewed Caucasus war. An important first step would be an OSCE-led international campaign demanding that Baku lift its opposition to the withdrawal of all snipers, a life-saving proposal that Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh have supported for over 3 years," he said.

On July 31 and Aug 1, Azerbaijani attacks on the lines of contact with Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh have resulted in over 10 deaths. U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf issued a statement on August 1st expressing United States "concern about the escalation of violence," but stopped short of clearly condemning Azerbaijani aggression. The statement went on to call on "the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to meet at the earliest opportunity to resume dialogue on key issues."

Earlier in the day, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group Co-Chair, Ambassador James Warlick tweeted "We are seriously concerned about the recent upsurge in violence along the Line Of Contact. The ceasefire needs to be respected. #NKpeace"

Related issues:
NKR Defense Ministry produces evidence of Azeri attack
 Top stories
EU says not planning military drills with ArmeniaEU says not planning military drills with Armenia
The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says.
Peskov says no Putin-Pashinyan talks planned before CSTO summitPeskov says no Putin-Pashinyan talks planned before CSTO summit
A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says.
Armenian Genocide monument vandalised in LondonArmenian Genocide monument vandalised in London
London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised.
U.S. calls for international mission in KarabakhU.S. calls for international mission in Karabakh
The United States believes there should be an international mission to provide transparency.
Partner news
 Articles
Azerbaijan's brutal beheadings and torture of Armenians

A non-exhaustive summary of war crimes

 Most popular in the section
Lavrov: Difficulties in Armenia-Russia ties temporary
NATO lauds Armenia’s “very clear decision” to distance itself from Moscow
Lukashenko: Armenia will remain committed to cooperation with allies
No place for USAID, says Azerbaijan
Home
All news
Overview: Foreign Policy & Diaspora
Archive for August 2, 2014
Other news in this section
 Topic
 Latest news
Turkey extends military presence in Azerbaijan The Turkish parliament has adopted a bill submitted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan to extend the mandate of Turkish troops.
Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills
Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi Arabia
Pashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”.
---