[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 193 (Thursday, November 12, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S6675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS

  The following petition or memorial was laid before the Senate and was 
referred or ordered to lie on the table as indicated:

       POM-248. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan condemning 
     Azerbaijan's Coordinated Offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh and 
     denouncing Turkish interference in the conflict, and urging 
     the United States Department of State to work with the Co-
     Chairs of the Minsk Group and the Governments of Armenia, 
     Azerbaijan, and the Republic of Artsakh to achieve long-
     lasting and peaceful resolution to this conflict; to the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations

                        House Resolution No. 319

       Whereas, Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, is a 
     territory located in the South Caucasus region that has 
     historically been populated by ethnic Armenians and is 
     governed by the Republic of Artsakh; and
       Whereas, The people of Artsakh overwhelmingly voted to 
     support independence. On December 10, 1991, despite continued 
     violence against the people of Artsakh, a popular referendum 
     proclaiming an independent republic took place during the 
     disintegration of the Soviet Union. Under the watchful eye of 
     more than 50 international observers, and in full compliance 
     with international standards for a free and fair election, 
     more than 80 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot, and 
     the measure passed with 98 percent in favor. On January 6, 
     1992, the democratically elected Parliament of Artsakh 
     adopted the Declaration of Independence of the Nagorno-
     Karabakh Republic; and
       Whereas, The State of Michigan supported the recognition of 
     the independence of the Republic of Artsakh with the passage 
     of Senate Resolution 99 of 2017; and
       Whereas, Since September 27, 2020, Azerbaijan has engaged 
     in the most significant military operation along the line of 
     contact with Nagorno-Karabakh since the signing of the cease-
     fire agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia in 1994. This 
     attack follows increasingly aggressive rhetoric and 
     destabilizing actions on the part of Azerbaijan President 
     Ilham Aliyev's government towards Nagorno-Karabakh and 
     Armenia, including a July 2020 Defense Ministry threat to 
     bomb Armenia's Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant; and
       Whereas, Azerbaijan's ongoing military offensive, which 
     includes the shelling of Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh's most 
     densely populated city with a population of 55,200, has 
     resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians and wounded 
     hundreds. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 
     84 Nagorno-Karabakh service members: and
       Whereas, Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have declared martial 
     law, mobilized their armed forces, and called up reserve 
     forces; and
       Whereas, According to multiple news reports, Azerbaijan's 
     military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh may be part of a planned 
     military operation. The conflict follows joint military 
     exercises conducted by Turkey and Azerbaijan in August 2020. 
     News accounts state that in weeks prior to Azerbaijan's 
     military operation, Turkey recruited mercenaries from Syria 
     and has facilitated their deployment to Azerbaijan. 
     Additionally, the Armenian Foreign Ministry claims that 
     Turkey is operating F-16 fighter jets in the region and shot 
     down an Armenian Su-25 fighter jet in Armenian airspace, 
     killing the pilot; and
       Whereas, The conflict has the potential to escalate into 
     proxy warfare among regional powers, including Turkey, and to 
     further entrench the conflict and threaten peace and 
     stability in the region. The United States, France, and 
     Russia serve as co-chairs of the Minsk Group tasked with 
     finding a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. 
     The co-chairs have urged a cease-fire and advised the parties 
     to return to substantive negotiations as soon as possible. 
     The European Union and the United Nations support a peaceful 
     resolution and immediate cease-fire: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we condemn 
     Azerbaijan's coordinated offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh and 
     denounce Turkish interference in the conflict; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That we urge the United States Department of 
     State to work with the co-chairs of the Minsk Group and the 
     governments of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Republic of 
     Artsakh to achieve a long-lasting and peaceful resolution to 
     this conflict; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the President of the United States, the United States 
     Secretary of State, the President of the United States 
     Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, and members of the Michigan congressional 
     delegation.

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