U.S. Congressman says Azerbaijan’s actions ‘deeply disturbing’August 15, 2014 - 13:10 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Representative Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee issued a statement on the recent violence in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone. “Azerbaijan’s violation of the ceasefire agreement along the border with Nagorno Karabakh is deeply disturbing. The resulting escalation of military activity along the line of contact has cost the lives of over a dozen Armenian and Azeri young men. A ceasefire is needed to protect further loss of life and escalation. The Obama Administration should act to encourage the restoration of a ceasefire, press Azerbaijan to withdraw snipers from the line of contact, and promote a peace plan that includes a date certain of a referendum for the people of Nagorno Karabakh to decide their own future,” Rep. Royce said, according to Asbarez. “We join with all those seeking peace in thanking Chairman Royce for so powerfully challenging Azerbaijan’s escalating aggression and for taking such as his principled stand for security and democratic self-determination for Nagorno Karabakh. We encourage the Obama Administration to heed his counsel and press Azerbaijan to end its ceasefire violations, to withdraw its snipers, and to openly accept – in principle and practice – that the future of Nagorno Karabakh will be decided by its own citizens,” said Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian. In April, the Chairman led a bipartisan delegation to Armenia where it commemorated the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Photo: Getty Images Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). |