US congressmen honor memory of Khojaly victims
Washington, February 28 (AZERTAC). The US congressmen continue to make statements on Khojaly genocide. They call on their colleagues to commemorate the victims of the Khojaly genocide committed against Azerbaijanis by Armenians.
The U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan said Wednesday that member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio Tim Ryan made a relevant statement regarding the Khojaly massacre.
"I join my colleagues and people all over the world in recognizing the tragedy known as the Khojaly Massacre which occurred on February 26, 1992 in the small Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. The attack resulted in the massacre of 613 Azerbaijani civilians and is one of the most devastating acts of violence in the South Caucasus in recent history," he said.
Ryan noted with regret that the fate of 150 Khojaly residents is still unknown, even after 21 years since the developments occurred.
According to the congressman, as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, the United States remains committed to working with both sides to that end.
"With that goal in mind, we remember and mourn the 613 victims of Khojaly and work together to safeguard the human rights of all," Ryan underscored.
Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a precarious cease-fire in 1994. Armenian armed forces have since occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory. Mediators from the U.S., as well as Russia and France, have long been working to broker a solution of the long-lasting Nagorno-Karabakh dispute through the Minsk Group, but their efforts have been largely fruitless so far.
Congresswoman of the House of Representatives Virginia Foxx has also called for commemorating the victims of the Khojaly tragedy. In a call to the North Carolina Congress on Monday, Foxx said, "Since declaring its independence from the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan has been a reliable friend and valuable ally of the United States in a turbulent region. In this true spirit of friendship, it seems appropriate for Congress to commemorate the victims of the Khojaly tragedy as Azerbaijani people mark the 21st anniversary of this event."
In the wake of these atrocities, Foxx said, Human Rights Watch described the advancing forces as committing "unconscionable acts of violence against civilians as they fled.''
"Given our deepening ties with Azerbaijan, it is important for American citizens to remember this event," the congresswoman noted. "Twenty-one years later, the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict has not yet been fully resolved. The anniversary of this horrible tragedy is an appropriate time to honor the victims of these atrocities and reflect on the need for all parties to work together to bring a swift end to this conflict. I urge my colleagues to join me in standing with Azerbaijanis as they commemorate this tragedy."
In turn, Texas House of Representatives member Gene Green said it is important to take the time to remember the Khojaly Massacre which took place in Azerbaijan 21 years ago as the United States and Azerbaijan continue to develop closer relations, which have proven immensely valuable to both nations.
According to Green, remembrance of the Khojaly Massacre has become nearly forgotten outside Azerbaijan's borders, despite the shocking nature of these events. "This is unconscionable for our country, which has always fought to safeguard the human rights of all people," Green noted.
The congressman emphasized the support of Azerbaijan to the U.S. in connection with the terror attacks of September 11, 2011.
"Azerbaijan shared our grief and pledged to stand by the United States as we brought the perpetrators to justice. True to their word, Azerbaijan has supported allied efforts against international terrorism by allowing unrestricted access to their territory for aircraft, troops, and supplies, as well as committing their own troops to fight alongside our own," Green said.
"Just as Azerbaijan has supported our nation in its time of need, so too must we not let the massacre of the 613 Azerbaijani men, women, and children drift into the dim memory of history. I urge my colleagues to commemorate this terrible tragedy and continue our nation's support for the people of Azerbaijan, our partners in peace and prosperity for the Caspian region," Green said.
Thousands of fleeing civilians were ambushed by the Armenian forces. Punitive teams of the so-called Nagorno Karabakh defense army reached the unprotected civilians to slaughter them, mutilating and scalping some bodies. In just a few hours, 613 civilians were killed, including 106 women, 70 elderly and 83 children. A total of 1,000 civilians were disabled. 56 people were killed with outrageous brutality, eight families were totally exterminated, and 25 children lost both parents, while 130 children lost one parent. Moreover, 1,275 innocent people were taken hostage.
Also on February 26 with a speech in memory of the victims of Khojaly massacre speaking was Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren of California, claiming that the tragedy victims certainly need commemoration".
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