Azat Artsakh – Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR)
November 17, 2004
NKR PRESIDENT’S MEETING IN USA
The president of the Republic of Nagorni Karabakh Arkady Ghukassian
visiting the USA for the November 25 telethon has already had a
series of meetings. In the evening of November 13 Arkady Ghukassian
met with the representatives of the Armenian community in Boston.
Addressing them, the NKR president pointed out the essential role of
the unity of Armenia, Diaspora and NKR in the achievements of Nagorni
Karabakh. `Today the fate of the Armenian people is determined in
Karabakh,’ mentioned the president. `Strengthening the economy of
Karabakh we thereby create conditions for the better future of the
Armenians of Karabakh, Armenia and all over the world.’ He addressed
the present with the appeal to make their donations for the
construction of the highway `North – South’ which has a strategic
role for Nagorni Karabakh. The people present at the meeting
expressed willingness for participation in the upcoming telethon. At
place donations were made for the project of water supply system of
the capital of NKR Stepanakert. During the meeting members of the
Massachusetts parliament Peter Kututjian and Rachel Kaprielian
presented the declaration signed by the speaker of parliament on the
occasion of the visit of the NKR president. On the same day Arkady
Ghukassian had visited Harvard University where he had met with
students and professors from several universities of Boston. Later he
visited the Armenian library and museum of America and met with
representatives of the local community. Addressing them, the
president acquainted them with the history of the conflict and
peacemaking in Nagorni Karabakh, as well as the situation in Artsakh
and the challenges NKR faces presently. `We will never give up our
independence and our goals,’ mentioned the president. `Today the
struggle has shifted to the economic environment and we must succeed
in this sphere as well in order to be able to retain and maintain our
achievements for which we paid the highest price – the lives of the
best sons of the nation.’ Speaking about the main aim of the upcoming
telethon, Arkady Ghukassian emphasized the strategic, economic and
political role of the road. Thanking the Armenians of Boston for
their permanent assistance to Artsakh, the president of NKR appealed
to them to take part in the telethon. On the same day Arkady
Ghukassian met with famous American benefactor Caroline Mugar. The
president of NKR thanked her for her aid to Artsakh and spoke about
the processes going on in NKR especially mentioning the significant
economic growth there. Arkady Ghukassian noticed that Nagorni
Karabakh still badly needs the help of the Diaspora. Caroline Mugar
said she would continue to aid Artsakh and make her contribution to
the upcoming telethon. The day before on November 12 the NKR
president was invited by the family of the grandson of writer and
cinematographer Henry Morghentau, the ambassador of the USA in the
Ottoman Empire in the years of the Armenian genocide. The family
Morghentau made their best wishes to Artsakh and its people. Arkady
Ghukassian appreciated the role of Morghentau who conveyed the truth
about the Armenian genocide to the international community and
rendered humanitarian aid to those who were saved from the genocide.