ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA STATEMENT ON APPOINTMENT OF AMBASSADOR JAMES WARLICK AS NEXT U.S. CO-CHAIR OF OSCE MINSK GROUP

Washington, D.C. - Upon the appointment of Ambassador James Warlick to serve as the next U.S. Co-Chair of the Organization for Security & Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group for the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) reiterates its concerns with respect to Azerbaijan's increased war-rhetoric, ongoing militarization and continued cease-fire violations:

"The Armenian Assembly hopes Ambassador Warlick and his OSCE Co-Chair counterparts will reintegrate the democratically elected government of Nagorno-Karabakh into the peace negotiations.  Only with their participation and the support of the citizens of Karabakh, who valiantly defended their homeland, can a lasting peace be achieved," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. 

Secretary of State John Kerry expressed his confidence in Ambassador Warlick, calling him a "first-rate diplomat," when he announced the appointment on August 5th. Secretary Kerry also reiterated that the "United States remains firmly committed to helping the sides reach a lasting and peaceful settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."

In 1991, Azerbaijan launched a war against the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabakh. A Russian brokered cease-fire agreement was signed in 1994 ending the hostilities; however, no peace agreement was ever realized. For almost 20 years, the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by the United States, Russia and France, has sought a peaceful resolution to the conflict. In recent years, cease-fire violations along the line of contact have increased exponentially. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan has begun stockpiling massive offensive military armaments to the tune of over $6 billion dollars between Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012. Last month, it was reported that Azerbaijan begun receiving another $1 billion dollar arms package from Russia, whereas the United States Congress is in the process of providing an additional $3.3 million dollars to Azerbaijan's military. The Armenian Assembly raised these concerns, among others, in testimony submitted last month to the Commission on Security & Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) briefing entitled "Troubled Partner: Growing Authoritarianism in Azerbaijan."

Warlick recently served as Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan and lead negotiator for the Bilateral Security Agreement with Afghanistan. He served as U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria from 2009-2012, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs from 2006 to 2009, and Director of the Office of European Security and Political Affairs from 2005 to 2006.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

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NR#: 2013-017

Photo Caption: Ambassador James Warlick

Below is the full announcement from the U.S. Department of State:

Appointment of U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group

Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
August 5, 2013

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ambassador James Warlick as the next U.S. Co-Chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group.

Ambassador Warlick brings extensive experience in Europe and Eurasia to this position. He most recently served as Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan and lead negotiator for the Bilateral Security Agreement with Afghanistan. He served as Ambassador to Bulgaria from 2009-2012, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs from 2006 to 2009, and Director of the Office of European Security and Political Affairs from 2005 to 2006.

He is a first-rate diplomat, and I am confident that he will do a tremendous job in this critical post.

The United States remains firmly committed to helping the sides reach a lasting and peaceful settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In their joint statement on June 18, Presidents Obama, Putin, and Hollande called on the sides to focus with renewed energy on the issues that remain unresolved, and noted that the leaders should prepare their people for peace, not war. Ambassador Warlick has the wisdom, judgment, and expertise to help the sides achieve that goal.

We have informed the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan and the OSCE of Ambassador Warlick's appointment.

Ambassador Warlick will assume his new position in September.