Co-chairs of the Armenian Assembly of America, Oscar Tatosian and Talin Yacoubian, have sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio following President Donald Trump’s July 15 remarks suggesting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan could be near. The letter calls on Rubio to push for the release of all Armenian hostages held in Azerbaijan, including the political leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), and to ensure the right of return.
The letter emphasizes that the “right of return and cultural survival of the Armenians of Artsakh” remains unresolved and urges the United States to “advocate for a fair and impartial resolution” that includes a “safe, voluntary, and dignified return.”
It also highlights that a “comprehensive and lasting peace must include reliable security guarantees for the Republic of Armenia,” specifically the “complete withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from Armenia’s sovereign territory” and “clear consequences for violations of any agreements.”
The co-chairs conclude by stressing the importance of “regional stability, human rights, and strengthening U.S.-Armenia economic and security ties.”
This letter to Secretary Rubio follows an earlier one addressed to President Trump, where the co-chairs also called for the immediate release of Armenian hostages, robust security guarantees for the Armenian people, enforcement of serious consequences for any breach of peace agreements by Azerbaijan, and affirmation of the fundamental right of return for Armenians of Artsakh.
Founded in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest non-partisan, nationwide Armenian-American advocacy organization in Washington, D.C., committed to advancing the understanding and representation of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
