[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E218-E219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE 28TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY TRAGEDY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PAUL A. GOSAR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 26, 2020

  Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, today I rise to bring our attention to the 
28th Anniversary of what is known as the Khojaly Tragedy. Years ago, as 
the Soviet Union fell under the weight of socialism, and the despair 
and malaise created by socialism finally became too much to bear, many 
of the former Soviet satellite regions went through regrowth and re-
birth. Azerbaijan was one such country.
  Azerbaijan, located in the Caucus region, is an area of unlimited 
potential. The Azerbaijanis have carved out a remarkable society, a 
rich culture, and today have a stable government that has led the Azeri 
people into

[[Page E219]]

relative prosperity. Its petroleum resources are world renown, as is 
its hard-working citizens.
  The re-birth of this nation was not without its struggle. As the 
existing Soviet political regime broke down in 1991, ethnic and 
historical rivalries surfaced. Problems with neighboring Armenia 
resulted in conflict and death, and the Nagomo-Karabakh conflict 
erupted.
  Out of that conflict, one notable tragic incident occurred 26 years 
ago, where the Azeris were subjected to reported indiscriminate 
shelling and targeting of the people of Khojaly at the hands of 
Karabakh Armenian and Armenian forces. It has been reported that up to 
613 civilians died on February 26, 1992 as a result of the attack.
  We cannot change what happened, but we can remember the victims and 
remind the world that the targeting of civilians is never acceptable.
  The United States is proud to serve as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk 
Group and we will continue to push for a peaceful resolution to this 
conflict, one that will honor the memory of the Khojaly people so that 
their families and countrymen may never suffer the same fate, nor 
anyone else in the world.
  We in the United States cherish our strong bilateral relationship 
with Azerbaijan. I am very optimistic about what our countries can 
achieve not just for the Azeris and my fellow countrymen, but for the 
development of the Caucuses as a whole, allowing the world to 
understand its potential alongside its rich culture and history.
  I am honored to recognize the Khojaly victims, and we will continue 
to keep them in our hearts and minds as we foster a strong working 
relationship between our two countries and promote a peaceful and fair 
resolution to this conflict. For Azerbaijan, and for Armenia, peaceful 
and neighborly relations will result in better prosperity for all of 
us.

                          ____________________