Ottawa – The Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) is calling upon the Canadian government to immediately condemn the unprovoked attack by Azerbaijani forces on positions along the entire border with Nagorno Karabakh with heavy artillery, tanks and air power. Civilians have been killed and injured. Although Nagorno Karabakh troops have defended their positions and managed to repulse the brunt of the attack, there have been heavy casualties on both sides and the fighting continues.
In a letter dated April 2, 2016 addressed to Minister of Global Affairs Stephane Dion, ANCC President Dr. Girair Basmadjian calls upon the Canadian government to uphold its policy of seeking a peaceful resolution to this conflict by immediately condemning this attack and calling upon the Aliyev regime to respect its obligations under the 1994 ceasefire agreement. Dr. Basmadjian also reminds the parliament that several MPs have visited the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh in the past and saw firsthand the peaceful, democratic and prosperous society that it had become.
“Unless the Canadian government immediately joins with the United States and its European allies in unequivocally condemning this blatant act of aggression by the Republic of Azerbaijan against the people of Nagorno Karabakh, the Aliyev regime will believe that there is no price to be paid for violating the ceasefire” said Dr. Basmadjian. “The Armenian people want a peaceful resolution to this conflict, but there can only be peace if Azerbaijan respects the agreements that it signs and ends its attacks against the population of Nagorno Karabakh.”
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ANC Canada: Use your electoral power to let your officials know that Azerbaijani aggression must STOP! Take a few minutes of your time to send them an email, then SHARE this action alert with your fb friends! Enough is enough, we must not wait until another innocent life is lost. #NKPeace #Artsakhstrong #StopAliyev
ACTION ALERT – Urge Canadian Government to Condemn Azerbaijan’s Unprecedented Agression
Azerbaijan launched a full-blown attack on multiple positions of the Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh, NKR) contact line overnight on April 2. The Azerbaijani army employed tanks, military helicopters, drones, and various caliber weapons in an assault targeting the Line of Contact on the southern, southeastern, and northeastern fronts. There are multiple casualties on both sides. Civilians have also been targeted.
In one minute, you can send an email to the Honourable Stéphane Dion and your local Member of Parliament calling on them to condemn these unprecedented ceasefire violations:
Email the Honourable Stéphane Dion and your Member of Parliament.
Sample Message which can be modified (an English and French version are in box below)
The Honourable Stephane Dion, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
I am writing to you today in regards to the massive military operation undertaken against the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan overnight on April 2, 2016 and urgently call upon the Canadian government to immediately condemn the unprovoked aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.
This large scale attack by Azerbaijan is an unprecedented violation of the 1994 ceasefire. It has caused both civilian and military casualties, which threaten to destabilize the region and cause full-out war.
In order to continue the Minsk peace process that Canada supports, Azerbaijan must comply with the terms of the 1994 cease fire. Anything less than a statement explicitly condemning Azerbaijan’s reckless provocative behavior would be seen by the Aliyev regime as an invitation to further hostilities.
I look forward to your public statement regarding this matter.
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L’honorable Stéphane Dion, C.P., député
Ministre des Affaires étrangères
Je vous écris aujourd’hui en lien avec l’attaque militaire massive qui a pris place contre la République du Haut-Karabakh, une offensive entreprise par l’Azerbaijan, au cours de la nuit du 1-2 avril 2016. Je vous encourage de contacter le gouvernement canadien immédiatement afin d’exiger que le gouvernement condamne les agressions injustifiées contre le Nagorno-Karabakh et l’Arménie.
Ces attaques de la part de l’Azerbaijan sont une violation sans précédent du traité de feu signé en 1994. Cette agression a provoqué la mort de civiles et de militaires, ce qui représente une menace de déstabilisation pour la région et la reprise des hostilités.
Afin de continuer le processus de paix sous l’auspice du groupe Minsk, que le Canada appuie, l’Azerbaijan doit se conformer aux termes du traité de feu de 1994. N’importe quelle action autre qu’une condamnation du comportement agressif de l’Azerbaïdjan serait vu comme une invitation au régime d’Aliev de continuer les hostilités.
Dans l’attente d’une déclaration publique de votre part.