[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 75 (Thursday, May 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E690]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               AZERBAIJAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SCOTT PERRY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2016

  Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express deep concern over the 
recent surge in hostilities along the front line between Armenia and 
Azerbaijan.
  This outbreak of violence has claimed dozens of lives on both sides.
  The recent violent clashes followed a successful visit to the U.S. by 
President Aliyev of Azerbaijan, which included meetings with Vice 
President Biden and Secretary of State Kerry, as both reaffirmed U.S. 
support for expanding ties with Azerbaijan, a reliable strategic 
partner in a tough neighborhood.
  Given Russia's apprehension with the strategic Southern Gas Corridor 
project championed by Azerbaijan and providing energy security for our 
allies in Europe, and Azerbaijan's security alliance with the United 
States, this latest upsurge in fighting is a another sign of Moscow's 
meddling in the affairs of states along its borders.
  As we've seen in Eastern Ukraine and Georgia, Russia continues to 
exploit separatist movements along its periphery to pressure America's 
friends and bring them back into its orbit.
  Unfortunately, it's not the first time that Armenia--the Kremlin's 
key regional ally and the host to a number of Russian military bases--
is being used as a proxy to intimidate U.S. partners, including 
Azerbaijan and Georgia.
  As the latest loss of life shows, Armenia's nearly complete economic, 
political and military dependence on Russia no longer is a threat to 
its neighbors alone--it's a security challenge to Armenia itself.
  These latest hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia once again 
remind us of the urgency to find a peaceful solution to the protracted 
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
  I urge the Administration to step up its efforts to achieve a 
peaceful solution and work with both sides to stabilize the situation.
  Meanwhile, in the face of increasing Russian interference and 
aggression against its neighbors, the United States should remain 
steadfast in its support for our friends in Azerbaijan.

                          ____________________