[Congressional Record: February 18, 2005 (Extensions)]
[Page E288]
>>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr18fe05-41]

THE OCCASION OF THE 17TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH FREEDOM
MOVEMENT

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HON. MICHAEL R. McNULTY

of new york

in the house of representatives

Thursday, February 17, 2005

Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, I join today with many of my colleagues in
extending my congratulations to the people of Nagorno Karabakh on the
anniversary of the Nagorno Karabakh Freedom Movement.
On February 20, 1988, the people of Nagorno Karabakh officially
petitioned the Soviet government to reunite with Armenia and reverse
the injustice perpetrated by the Soviet dictator, Joseph Stalin.
This peaceful and legal request was met with violent reaction by the
Soviet and Azerbaijani leadership, and escalated into full military
aggression against Nagorno Karabakh. The people of Nagorno Karabakh
bravely defended their right to live in freedom on their ancestral
land.
Today, Nagorno Karabakh continues to strengthen its statehood with a
democratically elected government, a capable armed forces and
independent foreign policy.
I stand with the people of Nagorno Karabakh in celebrating their
continuing freedom and democracy.

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