{"id":9644,"date":"2016-08-11T17:30:53","date_gmt":"2016-08-11T17:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ancnews.info\/?p=9644"},"modified":"2016-08-11T17:30:53","modified_gmt":"2016-08-11T17:30:53","slug":"anca-expands-grassroots-calls-to-reject-reckless-madrid-principles-in-new-white-house-action-campaign-for-nkpeace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ancnews.info\/?p=9644","title":{"rendered":"ANCA Expands Grassroots Calls to Reject Reckless \u201cMadrid Principles\u201d in new White House Action Campaign for #NKPeace"},"content":{"rendered":"

Calls for a New, More Balanced and Sustainable Approach which Respects Nagorno Karabakh\u2019s Right to Self-Determination<\/strong><\/p>\n

WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Building on the momentum of last week\u2019s grassroots campaign to members of the U.S. Senate and House, the Armenian National Committee of America<\/a> (ANCA) is expanding the Armenian American community\u2019s efforts against the flawed \u201cMadrid Principles\u201d to include targeted calls upon the White House for a more balanced and sustainable approach to ensuring a lasting peace for Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh).<\/p>\n

\u201cAs an advocate for peace, I cannot accept \u2013 and urge you to oppose \u2013 any resolution that runs counter to our American belief in self-determination or that would force a Christian nation under a violent Azerbaijani regime that has recruited extremists (including Afghanistani Mujahideen and ISIS militants from Syria) to fight its anti-Armenian wars,\u201d begins a letter to President Obama and Vice-President Biden. \u201cToday, Artsakh \u2013 despite decades of Azerbaijani aggression \u2013 remains dedicated to strengthening its democracy, further developing its open economy, and working with in partnership with regional powers, the OSCE, and the international community toward a fair and enduring regional peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

First discussed in 2007 with the specifics largely kept secret until recently, the \u201cMadrid Principles\u201d set forth a proposed formula which purportedly calls for Artsakh\u2019s up-front surrender of 7 regions of its sovereign territory in return for only a vague promise that Azerbaijan will allow a future \u201cexpression of will\u201d that would determine its status, setting the stage for continued conflict and increased regional instability.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt its heart, Nagorno Karabakh is a very American story, representing the victory of a free people over foreign rule. A democratic, Christian-majority, pro-Western society that stands strong against the forces of intolerance deserves our support,\u201d continues the letter to President Obama.<\/p>\n

The expanded grassroots campaign comes as Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders met in separate meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week, with reports that Nagorno Karabakh peace was among a broad range of issues discussed. The U.S. along with Russia and France co-Chair the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, which has been tasked to mediate a long-term Artsakh peace since 1994.<\/p>\n

Supporters of a peaceful and democratic Artsakh can visit anca.org\/madrid<\/a> to contact the Obama Administration and share with them the dangers of the \u201cMadrid Principles.\u201d<\/p>\n