Rubio, Padilla Condemn Azerbaijan’s Unwarranted Military … Senator Marco Rubio
Day: September 19, 2023
- PM Pashinyan, Blinken discuss Nagorno-Karabakh situation resulting from Azeri attack ARMENPRESS
- Secretary Blinken’s Call with Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan – United States Department of State Department of State
- U.S․ fully supports Armenia’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, Blinken tells Pashinyan Armenia News
Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) issued a joint statement condemning Azerbaijan’s unprovoked and unjustified military incursion in the South Caucasus against Armenians under the false pretext of leading an ‘anti-terrorist operation’ and in violation of its own ceasefire obligations:
“Azerbaijan’s regime is leading an unprovoked attack against Armenian civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh—a grave escalation in the steps the regime has taken to ethnically cleanse Armenians in the region. The Biden Administration, and our international allies, must forcefully condemn this military aggression and demand a peaceful resolution that puts a stop to these human rights violations. The United States should immediately halt all security assistance to Azerbaijan, as demanded under section 907 of the Freedom Support Act.”
Last month, Padilla and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) sent a letter to United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, urging her to introduce a UN resolution calling for an immediate end to Azerbaijan’s eight-month blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, including allowing unrestricted humanitarian access to Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. Padilla, Menendez, and Rubio also introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution earlier this year condemning the government of Azerbaijan for its blockade of the Lachin Corridor and urging the United States to take immediate steps to end the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev today to urge Azerbaijan to cease military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh immediately and deescalate the situation.
The Secretary emphasized that there is no military solution and that the parties must resume dialogue to resolve outstanding differences between Baku and ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Secretary noted President Aliyev’s expressed readiness to halt military actions and for representatives of Azerbaijan and the population of Nagorno-Karabakh to meet, and he underscored the need for immediate implementation.