[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 136 (Wednesday, September 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1619]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  LETTER FROM AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN, YASHAR ALIYEV

                             HON. DAN BOREN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2011

  Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, as co-chairmen of the Congressional 
Azerbaijan Caucus, Congressman Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania and I would 
like to bring a letter to the attention of our House colleagues that we 
received from the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Yashar 
Aliyev.

         Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United 
           States of America,
                                                   Washington, DC.
     Hon. Dan Boren,
     Rayburn House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Boren, I am writing to express my 
     concerns of the reports that on September 13, 2011 the so-
     called ``Office of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in the 
     USA'', the Embassy of Armenia to the United States and major 
     Armenian-American organizations are organizing event on the 
     premises of the U.S. Congress, dedicated to the so-called 
     ``20th Anniversary of Independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh 
     Republic''. According to the news reports Mr. Ashot Ghulian, 
     who presents himself as the ``Chairman of the NKR 
     Parliament'', will be visiting Washington D.C. and will be 
     the keynote speaker at the event.
       In this regard, I draw your attention to the fact that so-
     called ``Nagorno-Karabakh Republic'' is a self-proclaimed 
     entity created on the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, 
     supported by Armenia and essentially is under its direction 
     and control. It is entirely unrecognized as such, even by 
     Armenia.
       As a result of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict hundreds of 
     thousands of the Azerbaijanis were expelled from the Nagorno-
     Karabakh region and surrounding territories of Azerbaijan. 
     Four UN Security Council resolutions adopted in 1993 
     following the armed seizure of Azerbaijani territory reaffirm 
     the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of 
     Azerbaijan, demand immediate, complete and unconditional 
     withdrawal of the occupying forces from all occupied regions.
       By engaging in public campaigns using the Congress premises 
     the agents of the separatist regime pursue the goal of 
     distracting the attention of the Members of Congress and 
     broad American public from the continued occupation of the 
     territories of Azerbaijan by the Armenian armed forces, 
     accompanied by gross violation of human rights of hundreds of 
     thousands of the Azerbaijani IDPs. Their ultimate goal is to 
     consolidate the occupation of these territories and to 
     prevent return of the displaced Azerbaijani population to 
     their homes and properties from which they were forcibly 
     expelled.
       Allowing organization of such activities on American soil 
     encourages the Government of Armenia to hold on to its 
     uncompromised position in peace negotiations and complicates 
     the already difficult settlement process. Participation of 
     Members of Congress in these events may be qualified as 
     support for the separatist regime and negatively affects the 
     honest broker image of the United States as a Co-Chair of the 
     OSCE Minsk Group tasked to find just and peaceful solution to 
     the conflict.
       Azerbaijan is an important strategic partner of the United 
     States. Azerbaijan provides multi-faceted support for U.S. 
     operations in Afghanistan and remains a steadfast supporter 
     of Israel. Our two countries cooperate on counterterrorism 
     and nonproliferation issues. Moreover, Azerbaijan greatly 
     contributes to the energy security of the United States and 
     Europe.
       I ask you to refrain from participating in this event that 
     is directed against the sovereignty and territorial integrity 
     of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a key ally of the United 
     States in the strategic Caspian region and to voice your 
     opposition to using Capitol grounds for such activities.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Yashar Aliyev,
     Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

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