The UCLA Research Program in Armenian Archaeology and Ethnography was created through the long-term partnership of Zaruhy Sara Chitjian and the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology in 2013. As one of its core tenets, the Research Program seeks to address the development of interdisciplinary studies in the Social Sciences and the Humanities based on a broad inclusion of Armenian material, together with issues of preservation of Armenian cultural heritage. This approach is the main venue to integrate Armenian Studies in world scholarship and to identify new methods and strategies that would lead to an expansion and recognition of these studies.
Statement on Azerbaijan’s attack on Artsakh
(Photo published on iArtsakh, 2020)
We are deeply concerned and strongly condemn the unprovoked attacks by Azerbaijan, aided by Turkey, on the Armenian civilian population of Artsakh. The large scale attacks by Azerbaijan on the ethnic Armenian civilian population of Artsakh (formerly Nagorno-Karabakh) triggered a military conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia that has the potential to spill beyond the South Caucasus and threaten international security. We are also alarmed at rising instances of anti-Armenian rhetoric and increasing documentation of military support to Azerbaijan from the Republic of Turkey. Turkey is a member of the OSCE-Minsk Group tasked with negotiating a settlement to the conflict, so its support of Azerbaijan’s attacks on Artsakh not only go against the mission of the OSCE-Minsk Group but also threatens the security of Armenians living in Turkey.
The views expressed in this statement are that of the Research Program in Armenian Archaeology and Ethnography and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology or the UCLA community as a whole.