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PRESS RELEASE
December 16, 2004

MASSACHUSSETTS STATE ASSEMBLY WELCOMES PRESIDENT GHOUKASIAN
Reps. Koutoujian and Kaprielian initiate a pioneer resolution in
recognition of Artsakh’s achievements

WASHINGTON, DC – On the first day of President Arkady Ghoukasian’s visit
to the United States last month, the Massachusetts State Assembly
adopted a resolution in support of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
(Artsakh), honoring the NKR President.

The resolution was presented to President Ghoukasian on November 13,
2004 by State House members Peter Koutoujian and Rachel Kaprielian
during a public event at the Armenian Library and Museum in Watertown,
Massachusetts, organized by the Armenia Fund USA, Inc.

“We feel strongly about supporting Artsakh and recognizing its
achievements in democracy building and economic development. It goes
without saying that the freedom-loving people of Artsakh deserve a
continued and stronger American support,” said Koutoujian and
Kaprielian.

Proposed by Representatives Peter Koutoujian and Rachel Kaprielian and
signed by Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, the resolution is a first-ever
legislation passed by any U.S. state in recognition of Nagorno Karabakh
Republic’s achievements in democracy building, economic development and
contribution to regional stability.

“I thank Speaker DiMasi and State Representatives Koutoujian and
Kaprielian for their support. This resolution is a very important
statement of recognition for Artsakh. We deeply appreciate Koutoujian’s
and Kaprielian’s leadership in spearheading this effort to raise greater
awareness of Artsakh in the State of Massachusetts and the United States
in general,” said Vardan Barseghian, Nagorno Karabakh’s Representative
in the United States.

The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is
based in Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government, academia and
the public representing the official policies and interests of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

* * *
The full text of the resolution appears below.

HONORING THE PRESIDENT OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC (ARTSAKH) H.E.
ARKADY GHOUKASIAN.

WHEREAS, We welcome the President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
(Artsakh) H.E. Arkady Ghoukasian’s visit to the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts; and

WHEREAS, For over 16 years the brave people of Karabakh have been
successful in defending their land and their freedom and now they are
building a democratic state; and

WHEREAS, Since the cease-fire agreement (May of 1994) among Azerbaijan,
Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia, Karabakh has made a serious progress in
recovering from devastating consequences of Azerbaijani military
aggression; and

WHEREAS, We support the position of the Nagorno Karabakh people and
government to reach a comprehensive and long lasting resolution of the
conflict with Azerbaijan through peaceful negotiations, reflecting the
will of the people of Karabakh to live in freedom; and

WHEREAS, We support initiatives aimed at building trust among the
parties to the conflict, especially between Azerbaijan and Nagorno
Karabakh; and

WHEREAS, Democratic and economic reforms undertaken in Karabakh have
built a foundation for strengthening democratic institutions and a
continued economic development; Karabakh was able to create favorable
conditions for direct foreign investments; and

WHEREAS, Understanding the importance of modern road infrastructure for
further economic development of Karabakh, the State House encourages
active participation of Armenian-Americans in the upcoming Armenia Fund
Telethon for the completion of the North-South Highway in Karabakh;
therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts house of representatives JOINS IN
WELCOMING THE PRESIDENT OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC (ARTSAKH) H.E.
ARKADY GHOUKASIAN with which We share the universal values of freedom,
democracy and justice WHICH create a strong foundation for continued and
expanded friendship between the peoples of the United States and
Artsakh; and be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of these resolutions be forwarded by the Clerk of
the House of Representatives to the President of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic (Artsakh) H.E. Arkady Ghoukasian.

Signed by Speaker Salvatore DiMasi
November 12, 2004

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This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic in the USA on behalf of the Government of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic. The NKR Office is registered with the U.S. Government under
the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Additional information is available
at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.