Frank Pallone: “I want to bring attention to recent statements made by high-ranking government officials in Azerbaijan that threaten the…”

“I want to bring attention to recent statements made by high-ranking government officials in Azerbaijan that threaten the security of Armenia as well as the efforts towards a peaceful settlement over the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. This issue, if not compellingly addressed by the administration, has the potential to undermine U.S. interests and American values in the strategically important Caucasus region. I refer to the recent remarks made by officials in the government of President Aliyev calling into question the very existence of Armenia. For example, as reported by Radio Free Europe, the Azerbaijani Defense Minister spokesman called for Azerbaijan's takeover of the entire territory of Armenia and removal of the entire Armenian population from the Caucasus. He went so far as to say, ``Within the next 25 years there will exist no state of Armenia in the south Caucasus.'' Given Azerbaijan's history of aggression against Armenians, these remarks cannot be dismissed as mere rhetoric.”