Secretary of State John Kerry (right) with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Washington on Thursday. On Friday Aliyev’s forces launched a massive attack on Karabakh. (AFP Photo)
WASHINGTON—The United States on Saturday condemned ceasefire violations along Nagorno-Karabakh line of contact, but again employed what has become a usual false parity and failed to hold Azerbaijan accountable for initiating the massive attack on Karabakh that has resulted in the deaths of 18 soldiers and innocent civilians.
“The United States condemns in the strongest terms the large-scale ceasefire violations along the Nagorno-Karabakh Line of Contact, which have resulted in a number of reported casualties, including civilians. We extend our condolences to all affected families. We urge the sides to show restraint, avoid further escalation, and strictly adhere to the ceasefire. The unstable situation on the ground demonstrates why the sides must enter into an immediate negotiation under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs on a comprehensive settlement of the conflict,” said Secretary of State John Kerry in a statement issued by the State Department Saturday.
“We reiterate that there is no military solution to the conflict. As a co-chair country, the United States is firmly committed to working with the sides to reach a lasting and negotiated peace,” added Kerry in the statement.
The Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director was quick to respond to Kerry’s announcement saying: “The ANCA is sharply disappointed in Secretary Kerry’s false parity in the face of open Azerbaijani aggression.”
“The Obama Administration recklessly set the stage for this escalation by so warmly welcoming President Ilham Aliyev to Washington. By failing to confront either his growing regional aggression or, for that matter, his worsening domestic repression, President Obama effectively gave Aliyev the green light to continue his march toward war. Aliyev got the message and – at the cost of dozens of lives – acted on it within hours of leaving Washington,” added Hamparian.
“President Obama must clearly and unequivocally condemn Azerbaijan’s aggression, immediately secure the implementation of the Royce-Engel peace proposals, and support the inalienable right to self-determination of the independent Republic of Nagorno Karabakh,” said Hamparian.
Source: Asbarez
Link: Kerry Fails to Hold Baku Accountable for Karabakh Attacks