Ambassador Sargisian Delivers Speech at US Capitol Hill Celebration of Artsakh’s Independence Day

Indeed, on one side of the conflict we have the people of Nagorno-Karabagh which 25 years ago raised the flag of freedom. Who believed in democratic transformations of that time and raised their voice against totalitarianism. Who believed in equality and sparked a liberation movement with one single objective in mind — to exercise their right to self-determination and build their own home in accordance with the values they are devoted to.

On the other side of the conflict we had and unfortunately still do have a classic oil-revenue-based authoritarian regime, which is completely alien to the values of freedom. About half-century-long ruling dynasty of Azerbaijan cannot tolerate such bright manifestation of self-determination rightfully exercised by the people of Nagorno-Karabagh.

In this regard, I would like to draw your attention to the recent publication of Mr. David Kramer, the executive director of Freedom House, in American Interest magazine, where he called on the US authorities to exercise sanctions against Aliyev family, freeze their assets overseas and even deny them access to the West. Freedom House, in its report of 2014, for the tenth time in a row, has given a status of not free country to Azerbaijan assessing the situation on human rights, liberties and fundamental freedom with three sixes in a scale where seven is the worst.

Dear colleagues, I am confident that just, sustainable and lasting solution to a conflict is possible when the parties come to reconciliation. The reconciliation, however, is possible only when two sides of barricades share the same set of values. The reconciliation will become possible only when the leadership of Azerbaijan, which is currently suppressing any sign of pluralism in its country, begins to recognize the whole idea of freedom. When it understands that, a generation of young people has already born and grown up in the independent Nagorno-Karabagh who never saw Azeri rulers on their land; today they cannot even imagine any subordination or obedience to a foreign power. The reconciliation is possible when Azerbaijan eventually recognizes the value of self-determination and the right of the people of Nagorno-Karabagh to live in their own way.

Unfortunately, today we are still far from a reconciliation and final solution to the conflict. Moreover, we again are very close to the renewal of hostilities. Armenia, as always, remains committed to the exclusively peaceful resolution of the conflict. However, Azerbaijan does not only reject any attempt of international community and the OSCE Minsk Group to find a common ground for the settlement of the conflict, but also undertakes steps, which are threatening to undermine the negotiation process.

The recurrent events of past summer, which repeated just a few days ago when Azerbaijani troops shot down Nagorno-Karabagh Defense Army helicopter during announced military exercises, clearly demonstrated the belligerent intentions of Azerbaijan. Anti-Armenian hysteria unfolded in this country, its skyrocketing military budget and the continuing militaristic bravado are unequivocally testifying that the Azerbaijani leadership wants to prepare its society to military resolution of the conflict.