YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. The United States of America must ensure peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. “Armenpress” reports, citing Voice of America, a group of US congressmen issued this statement giving a speech at the Capitol where an event dedicated to Artsakh independence was being held. Influential American lawmakers, representatives of American-Armenian community, Foreign Minister of Nagorno Karabakh Karen Mirzoyan attended the event themed “Nagorno Karabakh’s commitment to peace”.

US congressman Adam Schiff blamed the Azerbaijani authorities in playing with fire. “This is a deadly dangerous, militaristic and provocative behavior by Azerbaijan. Our diplomats should name it in its real name”, Schiff mentioned.

“As the most powerful moral power, America, in my opinion, must ensure the people of Nagorno Karabakh that the problem will be settled peacefully and comprehensively, respecting the authorities of Karabakh”, one of the congressmen said.

The speech of influential US congressman, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce was dedicated to maintenance of the ceasefire regime. He reminded that according to the reports, 1500 bullets and projectiles were fired in the contact line during the last days. “Tanks and mortars fired 1500 times and 140 thousand people, men, women, and children, under those conditions in NKR”, Royce said.

He again called on the US Department of State that it is necessary to install special devices on the contact line and on Armenia-Azerbaijan border which will record the ceasefire violator and will allow bringing them to responsibility”.

Representative of the Department of State John Kirby had announced earlier that ceasefire violation and use of heavy artillery are unacceptable.

For the first time the opponent’s tank opened fire on military positions located in the southern part of the Defense Army early in the morning of December 9.  The rival violated the ceasefire regime for over 180 times in the line of contact of the Karabakh-Azerbaijani opposing armies on December 8 and during the night of December 9. More than 1500 shots were fired towards Armenian frontier troops from weapons of different caliber, including 60 mm, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, AGS-17 and RPG-7 grenade launchers. The adversary also applied TR-107 artillery rocket and a tank.

Contract soldier Garik Gurgen Avanesyan (born in 1991) sustained mortal gunshot wound at one of the fighting positions located in the eastern direction of the Defense Army at approximately 21:10, December 8, due to the shot the rival fired from large caliber sniper rifle.