U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.  Co-Chair of the Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus, on Saturday released the following statement condemning the newest wave of large-scale attacks by Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh.

“I strongly condemn Azerbaijan’s escalation of hostilities against Nagorno-Karabakh, and I join the Obama Administration in urging an immediate de-escalation of the conflict. Azerbaijani President Aliyev’s threatening rhetoric has consistently alluded to doing away with the 1994 ceasefire and attacking the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. President Aliyev continues to defy international calls to reach a negotiated settlement that will ensure a lasting peace in the region. It is unacceptable for Azerbaijan to continue on its current belligerent path, and I urge the Obama Administration and the OSCE Minsk Group to demand accountability on the part of Azerbaijan and continue to work toward implementing proposals that promote peace.”