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Rep. Loretta Sanchez Calls for Leahy Law Investigation of Azerbaijani Abuses

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Sanchez_NDAA_hearing_042816Urges Administration to Conduct Thorough Review of U.S. Military Aid to Baku

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, called for a “Leahy Law” investigation into reports that the Azerbaijan armed forces, which annually receive millions of dollars in U.S. military aid, committed gross violations of human rights during Baku’s April 2 offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh, reported the Armenian National Committee of America.

In remarks during an Armed Services hearing Thursday on the National Defense Authorization Act, Rep. Sanchez noted that she has reviewed credible allegations that units of the Azerbaijani military have committed gross violations of human rights. “I believe that these blatant human rights violations warrant action on our part to direct our Secretary of Defense to work with our Secretary of State on an investigation on possible human rights violations. And I believe the U.S. should conduct an investigation on whether the ‘Leahy Law’ is being violated by the Azerbaijani military,” stated Rep. Sanchez. “We, the United States, we are a leader on human rights and we cannot afford to support militaries that commit human rights violations.”

In her remarks, Rep. Sanchez cited sharp criticism of Azerbaijan’s human rights record and called attention to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev’s pardon and praise for Ramil Safarov, who axe-murdered an Armenian officer while he slept during a NATO peace-keeping training program in Hungary. Rep. Sanchez’s statement accompanied an amendment that she submitted, but later withdrew for procedural purposes.

Alexander Fomenkov: Ilham Aliyev carries out deliberate Armenofobic propaganda both in Azerbaijan and in Diaspora

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Armenophobia today is the main component of President Ilham Aliyev’s and his team’s policy; Aliyev, however, does not need Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. This Alexander Fomenkoveis stated in Alexander Fomenkov’s article published in “Kavpolit.com.” He notes that for many years he stood with Baku’s position on Karabakh conflict and was himself infected by Armenophobia.

Author touches upon Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s speech made on 18 September 2013. Alexander Fomenkov notes that Ilham Aliyev was speaking not only about the “return” of Karabakh and its surrounding areas. As it turned out, Azerbaijan is not satisfied now with only those territories. The article quotes Ilham Aliyev saying: “Our historical lands are Erivan khanate, Geychinsky, Zangezour Mahals. The time will come, and we will live there as well. I believe in it, I’m sure of it. In order to achieve this, each of us has to make an effort; each of us has to approach this holy day by his deeds.”

In this regard, the author wonders, “What about the lofty phrases on recognition of inviolability of borders adopted by the UN about the USSR fragments, Mr. President? In fact Armenia was taken to international community on the same principles as Azerbaijan.”

Alexander Fomenkov notes that he would not ask this question to Aliyev, if it were only about Karabakh, but Ilham Aliyev had openly stated his claims on a part of Armenian territory. In the same time, the author notes that it is difficult to find another Russian in Russia who would protected the interests of Baku on the Karabakh issue everywhere. Fomenkov also notes that he “lived by Azerbaijan” for 15 years and had repeatedly stated that he will arrive in Baku in case of war and will become “the reproach of Russian authorities.”

Fomenkov notes that he had met Azerbaijani veterans of Nagorno-Karabakh war, but such hatred towards Armenians, as the one that spurts from the papers and the air of the Azerbaijani government media today, he didn’t even with these people. “Armenophobia today is the main component of the policy of President Ilham Aliyev and his team. If I, who seems to be experienced person was under this policy’s influence what to talk about the Azerbaijani youth? Do you think only the youth is subjected to this vice there?” reads the article.

The article notes that there are incessant calls at the Azerbaijani parliament on checking the blood origin of all government officials and MPs. Those suspected of being sympathetic to the Armenian people are subjected to harsh social obstructions. A striking example of this is the hysteria deployed by the Azerbaijani authorities which arose after the publication of prominent Azerbaijani writer Akram Aylisli’s novel “Stone Dreams.”

Alexander Fomenko points out that it is at the state level that Ramil Safarov, who axed sleeping Armenian officer in Hungary, as well as Ibad Huseynov who allegedly decapitated Armenian commander Monte Melkonian, are glorified. The author notes that this version was categorically refuted by many Azerbaijani soldiers. Fomenkov writes that he personally knew Husenov. He recalls how he shook hands with him while being recorded on TV cameras and confessed about his love for Azerbaijan and stated that he is eager to fight for its interests for the rest of his life.

According to the author, Ilham Aliyev understands how the manifestations of the hatred in Azerbaijan towards the Armenians and everything related to them are perceived in the world, “the hatred, which is almost turned to national cult by the ruling elite of this country.” In the same time, Fomenkov notes: “Today, the Armenians, tomorrow the Talysh and the Lezghins; who are the next? And I am concerned with the fact that this bacillus has already infected many Russian citizens of Azerbaijani origin. ”

“Ilham Aliyev carries out deliberate Armeniaphobia propaganda with the minds and conscious of citizens of his state and the Azerbaijani diaspora around the world,” Fomenkov writes. He notes that by imposing anti-Armenian propaganda and “powdering brains of Azerbaijani people” the Aliyev clan is pumping out oil.

Source: Panorama.am