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US Azerbaijanis urge US government to be proactive in exerting pressure on Armenia

15 July 2011 10:53 (UTC +04:00)

â€œIn early 1988, Armenian nationalists in Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast of Azerbaijan [NKAO] backed by Armenian Republic started mass exodus of ethnic Azerbaijanis from their ancestral homes demanding transfer of Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijan to Armeniaâ€, say the letters.

â€œBy mid 1993, after complete ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis from Nagorno Karabakh and massacres in Khojaly, Shusha and Kelbajar regions, Armenian forces advanced on the heartland Azerbaijan by engaging a heavy warfare on the region of Agdam northeast of former NKAOâ€, add the letters.

Agdam is one of the ancient regions of Azerbaijan with a territory of 1,094 sq km and population of 153,000 people. As a result of Armenian attack, the provincial capital Agdam along with 80 villages constituting 882 sq km was occupied. 128,000 out of 153,000 residents of Agdam fled becoming a part of 1 million refugee camp of Azerbaijan.

Occupation of Agdam by Armenian forces caused material destruction equaling $6.179 billion. 5,897 â€œethnic Azerbaijanis died in Agdam during the days of occupationâ€, the authors remind.

According to the letters, â€œAfter fall of Agdam, Armenians would continue illegal occupation of Azerbaijani territories and in the following four months take over regions of Gubadli, Zagilan, Jabrayil, Fizuliâ€.

â€œAs a member of Azerbaijani-American community, we urge the US government to be proactive in exerting pressure on Armenia to take a constructive stance, force it to comply with UN SC and GA resolutions, withdraw from internationally recognized Azerbaijani territories and allow return of Azerbaijani refugees to their homesâ€, read the letters.

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