The letter was received by the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles.
In the letter, the governor extends her “sincere condolences to the many Azerbaijanis living in New Mexico and around the globe as they observe the 23rd anniversary of the Khojaly massacre and honor the victims”.
“The tragedy in the town of Khojaly in Azerbaijan resulted in the death of over 600 innocent civilians, including many women, children, and elderly, on Feb. 25 and 26, 1992,” Governor Martinez wrote.
The governor concluded her letter by saying that “event in Khojaly is a sobering reminder of the terrible carnage that can be inflicted in wartime and the enduring need for greater understanding, communication and tolerance among people all over the world.”
This is the first official document on the Khojaly massacre signed by a New Mexico governor.
On Feb. 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed forces, together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops stationed in Khankendi committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly.
As a result of the massacre, some 613 people were killed, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people. Eight families were totally exterminated, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both. A total of 487 civilians became disabled as a result of the onslaught. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people remains unknown.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
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