[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 54 (Thursday, April 3, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           AZERBAIJAN TRAGEDY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2014

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
bring to the attention of my colleagues the tragic events that began on 
February 25, 1992 in the Azerbaijan town of Khojaly in the Nagarno 
Karabakh region.
  On that fateful day Armenian forces began a brutal attack on the 
7,000 Azerbaijani citizens of Khojaly. During the attack 613 Azeris 
were killed, 1,275 were taken hostage, and 487 were seriously injured. 
Of the dead 106 were women and 83 were children. Many of those killed 
were first brutally tortured.
  In blatant disregard of four UN Resolutions calling for the 
withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories of 
Azerbaijan, Armenia continues to occupy Khojaly and surrounding 
territories. The occupied area constitutes twenty percent of 
Azerbaijan.
  The Minsk Group, comprised of the United States, France and Russia, 
works with Armenia and Azerbaijan to reach a peaceful settlement to no 
avail. Nothing can change the tragedy that occurred at Khojaly but with 
a peaceful settlement and the withdrawal of Armenian forces from the 
occupied territories, what remains of the 900,000 Azeris displaced from 
the entire conflict can return to the land they call home and rebuild 
their lives.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the victims of this 
tragedy and do all we can to further the Minsk Group's efforts so there 
is a peaceful resolution and the people of Nagorno Karabakh can return 
home.

                          ____________________