U.S. Reiterates Call For 'Longer-Term, Independent, International Monitoring Mission' in Karabakh

Washington D.C./04.10.23/Turan:    The United States on Tuesday reiterated its call for "a longer-term, independent, international monitoring mission in Nagorno-Karabakh," as the State Department's Deputy Spokesperson Vedan Patel put it, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

Washington is planning to "continue to play a role in engaging with Azerbaijani and Armenian leadership at the highest levels to pursue a dignified and durable peace," Patel told a daily briefing when responding to TURAN's questions.

He went on to add,  "And you’ve also seen us, over the course of this past week and beyond, reiterate our call for a longer-term, independent, international monitoring mission in Nagorno-Karabakh to provide transparency and reassurances that the rights and securities of ethnic Armenians will be protected, particularly for those who may wish to return, and for the protection of cultural heritage sites, which all of course is in line with Azerbaijan’s public statements and their international obligations as well"

Patels' comments came as the White House said Tuesday afternoon that it was 'very focused' on the humanitarian situation in Karabakh and that Washington has deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team in the region.

"We're mindful that the vast majority -- I think almost all ethnic Armenians now have left.  And there's a significant humanitarian assistance issue, which is why the USAID Administrator, Samantha Power, was just there just a few days ago" National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

He added, "We have contributed -- I think it's $11 million in humanitarian assistance just right now. So, we're very focused on the humanitarian situation and doing what we can to alleviate the suffering, but also, certainly encouraging Azerbaijan to meet its publicly stated commitments here, and reinforce our support for the ethnic Armenians who are still there."

In light of the Armenian parliament's decision on Tuesday on joining the Rome Statute for the ICC, the Biden administration also expressed its respect to Armenia’s sovereignty and independence.

"We respect the right of every country to join the ICC and have been encouraged by many states, including Armenia, that have undertaken commitments to promote justice, accountability for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity," Patel told daily briefing.

In the meantime, he refrained from commenting on Moscow's increasing rhetoric against Armenia, as well as potential support from the U.S. in the case of Russian retaliation against Armenia.

When asked about Russian military presence in the Karabakh region, Patel reiterated the State Department's early assessment that the peacekeepers hadn't played a productive role last month. "That kind of presence continues to be concerning," he told TURAN's correspondent.

Alex Raufoglu