Russian, US leaders congratulate Armenia on independence anniversary

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
21 Sep 04

[Presenter over video of celebration ceremony] Armenia today
celebrates the 13th anniversary of its independence. On 21 September
1991, exactly 13 years ago, Armenian society made a resolute decision
by saying decisive “yes” at an independence referendum.

Celebrations started today by government members’ visit to Yerablur
[monument to martyrs in Yerevan]. The country’s high-ranking officials
led by President Robert Kocharyan laid flowers at the graves of
[assassinated Prime Minister] Vazgen Sarkisyan and Andranik [known to
the Armenian public as Zoravar Andranik, a distinguished leader of the
Armenian national liberation movement in the early 1900s].

[The president of the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic, Arkadiy Gukasyan,
captioned, in Yerablur] Armenia’s independence belongs not only to the
Armenians, this is a holiday for the whole Armenianhood. Armenia’s
independence is the basis on which the independence of Nagornyy
Karabakh and the diaspora – Armenia – Nagornyy Karabakh union have
been established. But, as you now, Karabakh’s independence is 18 days
older than Armenia’s independence. We all understand that without free
and independent Armenia there would hardly be the free and independent
Nagornyy Karabakh Republic and it would have been very difficult to
win this war [for Nagornyy Karabakh]. This is natural for
Armenianhood, and this is the greatest and most valuable achievement.

[Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan, captioned] Today we have a
combat-ready and strong army which is able to defend our
independence. I think this is the greatest achievement.

[Presenter] US President George W. Bush, Russian President Vladimir
Putin and Belarus President Alyaksandr Lukashenka have sent
congratulatory messages to Armenian President Robert Kocharyan on the
occasion of the 13th anniversary of independence.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a congratulatory message to
the Armenian president. Our peoples’ historical friendship is based on
Russian-Armenian multifaceted cooperation. I am sure that the further
deepening of Russian-Armenian military cooperation meets our
countries’ interests, which plays the most important role in
preserving and strengthening peace and stability in the Caucasus, the
message said.

US President George W. Bush has also sent a congratulatory message to
President Kocharyan: I send my congratulations to you and all the
Armenian people on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of Armenia’s
independence. Today, independent Armenia is one of the most important
partners of the USA. My special thanks to Armenia for its special
support to the USA in the antiterror fight. The USA will continue
supporting the Armenian government and people to achieve economic
development and settle the Nagornyy Karabakh problem. I hope that
cooperation between our countries and friendly relations between our
peoples will strengthen, the message said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress