U.S. Congressmen slam killing of Armenian soldier by Azeri forcesDecember 18, 2013 - 12:18 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Congressmen issued statements on the killing of an Armenian soldier, Hrant Poghosyan, by Azerbaijani troops earlier this month. “We have learned of the murder of yet another Armenian soldier along the line of contact in an unprovoked attack by Azerbaijani troops against Armenian forces. Azerbaijan and its military must be held to account and there can be no denying that this savagery is being orchestrated at the highest levels of the Azeri security establishment,” Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said. "One need only look at the sick display of adulation that greeted Ramil Safarov - the Azerbaijani military officer who beheaded an Armenian colleague during a NATO Partnership for Peace exercise - to see how the Azeri government has glorified this violence. Rather than prison, Safarov was paraded through the streets and given a new house and a promotion. Baku’s newest murderer will not be brought to justice until the international community insists on an end to these atrocities,” he added. Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA) said: “Azerbaijan has yet again shown that it is not serious about establishing peaceful relations with Armenia and Artsakh. Despite the request for a ceasefire during the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Azeri forces have killed an Armenian solider, Hrant Poghosyan. The shooting was unprovoked and Armenian forces have respected the request for a ceasefire. “Azerbaijan’s actions continue to harm the cause of peace. Last year, Azerbaijan celebrated a murderer, Ramil Safarov, who violently killed an Armenian soldier during a NATO Partnership for Peace exercise. Azerbaijan and its forces must be held accountable for this latest display of violence towards Armenia and lack of respect for the OSCE’s settlement negotiations. I will continue to stand by Artsakh and Armenia in their ongoing quest for peace and security.” Related links: 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 | Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. |