PRINTER'S NO. 4547
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1075
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY SANCHEZ, MURT, HOHENSTEIN, McCARTER, BRIGGS,
KINSEY, DAVIDSON, O'MARA, ROEBUCK, HOWARD, KENYATTA, ZABEL,
ROTHMAN, OTTEN, MALAGARI, VITALI, KIM, YOUNGBLOOD,
SHUSTERMAN, SAPPEY, BOYLE AND McCLINTON, OCTOBER 19, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, OCTOBER 19, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Condemning Azerbaijan's coordinated offensive in Nagorno-
Karabakh and denouncing Turkish interference in the conflict.
WHEREAS, Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, is a
territory located in the South Caucasus region that has
historically been populated by ethnic Armenians and is governed
by the Republic of Artsakh; and
WHEREAS, On December 10, 1991, despite continued violence
against the people of Artsakh, a popular referendum proclaiming
an independent republic took place during the disintegration of
the Soviet Union; and
WHEREAS, Under the watchful eye of more than 50 international
observers, and in full compliance with international standards
for a free and fair election, more than 80% of eligible voters
cast a ballot and the measure passed with 98% in favor; and
WHEREAS, On January 6, 1992, the democratically elected
Parliament of Artsakh adopted the Declaration of Independence of
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; and
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
WHEREAS, Since September 27, 2020, Azerbaijan has engaged in
the most significant military operation along the line of
contact with Nagorno-Karabakh since the signing of the cease-
fire agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia in 1994; and
WHEREAS, This attack follows increasingly aggressive rhetoric
and destabilizing actions on the part of Azerbaijan President
Ilham Aliyev's government towards Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia,
including a July 2020 Defense Ministry threat to bomb Armenia's
Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant; and
WHEREAS, Azerbaijan's ongoing military offensive, which
includes the shelling of Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh's most
densely populated city with a population of 55,200, has resulted
in the deaths of at least 84 Nagorno-Karabakh service members
and dozens of civilians, in addition to wounding hundreds; and
WHEREAS, Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have declared martial
law, mobilized their armed forces and called up reserve forces;
and
WHEREAS, According to multiple news reports, Azerbaijan's
military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh may be part of a planned
military operation; and
WHEREAS, The conflict follows joint military exercises
conducted by Turkey and Azerbaijan in August 2020, with news
accounts stating that in weeks prior to Azerbaijan's military
operation, Turkey recruited mercenaries from Syria and has
facilitated their deployment to Azerbaijan; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, the Armenian Foreign Ministry claims
that Turkey is operating F-16 fighter jets in the region and
shot down an Armenian Su-25 fighter jet in Armenian airspace,
killing the pilot; and
WHEREAS, The conflict has the potential to escalate into
20200HR1075PN4547 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
proxy warfare among regional powers, including Turkey, and to
further entrench the conflict and threaten peace and stability
in the region; and
WHEREAS, The United States, France and Russia serve as
cochairs of the Minsk Group tasked with finding a peaceful
solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict; and
WHEREAS, The cochairs have urged a cease-fire and advised the
parties to return to substantive negotiations as soon as
possible, with the European Union and the United Nations
supporting a peaceful resolution and an immediate cease-fire;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That House of Representatives condemn Azerbaijan's
coordinated offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh and denounce Turkish
interference in the conflict.
20200HR1075PN4547 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14