[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 33 (Thursday, March 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            SUMGAIT POGROMS

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2012

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, once again this year I rise to mark an 
important date that remains strong in the memories of the Armenian and 
American people. It is always with great emotion that I commemorate the 
Sumgait pogroms where the murder of hundreds of Armenians stood out as 
a particularly atrocious event in a long history of hostility against 
the Armenian people. This anniversary above all reminds us of our duty 
to act. Year after year, it strengthens our determination to obtain 
justice and peace.
  Beginning on the evening of February 27th, 1988, hundreds of 
Armenians were brutally murdered, some of them burned alive and thrown 
from windows. Women and children were raped and maimed by Azerbaijani 
rioters. Apartments were robbed, shops demolished, and thousands of 
people became refugees. Despite Sumgait's proximity to Baku, police 
turned a blind eye to this dire situation, allowing the pogroms to go 
on for three days.
  The truth is that for over two decades, authorities in Azerbaijan 
have made relentless efforts to erase all traces of these crimes. This 
state-sponsored denial is an insult to the memory of all men, women and 
children who perished on those fateful days; it is a daily affront to 
their descendants. The Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus is 
resolutely committed to ensure that those Armenians who lost their 
lives are not forgotten.
  The need for the government of Azerbaijan to fully recognize the 
Sumgait pogroms is not only in the interest of historical accuracy but 
also necessary to ensure a peaceful future. The just recognition of 
these crimes is the first step towards an enduring and peaceful 
resolution of the regional conflict. Stability in the region is needed 
now more than ever. The specter of violence indeed still looms and many 
Armenian lives continue to be subject to threats by the Azerbaijani 
government. Ceasefire violations by Azerbaijani armed forces at the 
contact line with the Nagorno Karabakh Republic have shown this to be 
true. President Aliyev recently announced that Azerbaijan is buying up 
modern weaponry to occupy the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
  I stand here today to solemnly condemn all intimidations and acts of 
aggression against the Armenian people. The Congressional Armenian 
Issues Caucus will do its very best to ensure that basic rights to 
life, liberty and security are not violated. May the Armenian people 
never have to fear again such attacks. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my 
colleagues stand with me in recognizing the Sumgait pogroms and the 
needless deaths of so many.

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