Azernews.Az

Azerbaijani lawmakers have termed as unfair Thursday’s decision by the US congressional panel to approve a bill branding the alleged 1915 killings of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey as "genocide".
In an appeal to the US Congress, the Milli Majlis (parliament) members reminded that Armenia occupies part
of Azerbaijan’s territory, saying researching the "genocide" claims was the job of historians.
"We would like to hope that a country with a democratic image like the U.S. will not allow for adopting such a decision that will affect U.S.-Turkey and U.S.-Azerbaijan relations," the appeal said.
The document was unanimously approved in the Azerbaijani parliament by 108 votes.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee endorsed the "genocide" resolution with a 23-22 vote, even though the Obama administration had urged Congress not to offend Turkey by approving it. The bill is now expected to go to the 435-member House. Turkey warned that the resolution could jeopardize U.S-Turkish cooperation and set back negotiations aimed at opening the border between Turkey and Armenia.
MPs addressing the parliamentary session said the passage of the resolution is seen not only as pressure on Turkey but also as contradictory to the interests of Azerbaijan, its ally.
First Vice-Speaker Ziyafat Asgarov said the congressional committee’s move has proven that "not the power of the law, but the rule of power prevails in the world."
"If Turkey should be held responsible for the past, then who should answer for the killings of Indians when the American state was being established? Also, who should be held accountable for those killed in Iraq, Afghanistan and in Khojaly [the massacre committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis in 1992]? The objective [of passing the "genocide" bill] is known, they are thus trying to achieve the opening of Turkey’s border with Armenia."
Turkey and Armenia do not have diplomatic relations and the border between the two countries has been closed since 1993. Armenia's occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan, Turkey’s ally, and Yerevan’s "genocide" claims have been obstacles to normal relations between the two countries. In October 2009, the two governments signed two protocols to establish diplomatic relations and reopen their borders. However, the documents require parliamentary approval, and Turkish officials have assured Azerbaijan that the protocols will not pass in the country’s parliament until progress is made in resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.
According to Asgarov, the latest developments show that relying on international law in settling the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh is "a dream". "Therefore, Azerbaijan, as stated by President Ilham Aliyev, should rely only on its economy and military."
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law
Speakers made a number of proposals during discussions in parliament. MP Gudrat Hasanguliyev, chairman of the pro-opposition United Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, said Azerbaijan should recall its ambassador from Washington.
"There are grounds for this, because the U.S. has not appointed its ambassador to Azerbaijan for a long time. Failure to send an ambassador is not a good development in inter-governmental relations. This is an indicator of the U.S. attitude that is not friendly toward Azerbaijan," Hasanguliyev said.*