[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING THE KHOJALY TRAGEDY

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                           HON. VIRGINIA FOXX

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 26, 2020

  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today in 
remembrance of the 613 Azerbaijani men, women, and children killed in 
Khojaly on February 25 and 26, 1992. We must never forget this tragedy 
and must work to prevent such atrocities from occurring again.
   Since the early 1990s, Azerbaijan has been involved in a conflict 
with its neighbor to the West, Armenia. The Khojaly tragedy was the 
single worst day in this conflict, resulting in hundreds of lives lost, 
families devastated, and the town destroyed. A cease-fire to the 
conflict was negotiated in 1994, but the conflict remains unresolved.
   The U.S. and Azerbaijan established diplomatic relations in 1992, 
the same year as the Khojaly tragedy. Since then, Azerbaijan has been a 
key partner in the War on Terror, and the two nations share a Trade 
Relations Agreement and a Bilateral Investment Treaty. Given our 
deepening ties with Azerbaijan, it is important for the United States 
to support a peaceful settlement to the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict.
   The anniversary of this tragedy is an appropriate time to honor the 
victims of these atrocities and reflect on the need for all parties to 
work together to bring a swift end to this conflict. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in standing with Azerbaijanis as they commemorate 
this tragedy.

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