U.S. Reps. Wolf, Chu commemorate Armenian massacre in Azerbaijan

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Representatives Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Judy Chu (D-CA) marked the anniversary of the Sumgait and Baku pogroms by speaking out this week in the U.S. House of Representatives in condemnation of Azerbaijan's aggression and ongoing threats against Nagorno Karabakh, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Armenian Americans and pro-Armenian stakeholders from across America have encouraged Members of Congress to publicly condemn Azerbaijani aggression and openly defend the independent Republic of Nagorno Karabakh's freedom.

In his remarks, Rep. Wolf noted that, "Shortly after the break-up of the Soviet Union, Armenians in Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh endured great hardship, including pogroms in Sumgait (February 1998), in Kirovabad (November 1988) and in Baku (January 1990)," and went on to quote a recent alarming report from Bloomberg News that, "Azerbaijan is buying up modern weaponry to be able to regain control of the breakaway Nagorno Karabakh region." "Such acts of aggression," stressed the Virginia legislator, "would have a devastating impact."

Congresswoman Chu, in her speech, reminded her colleagues that, "Between 1988 and 1990, the Armenian population was the target of racially motivated pogroms in Azerbaijan. Hundreds of Armenians were murdered and more wounded during three violent attacks in Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Baku."

She added that she remained concerned that, "the sentiments that sparked this violence still remain," and that Azerbaijan is building up its arsenal to renew its aggression against Nagorno Karabakh.