ANNIVERSARY OF LIBERATION

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
21 May 05

The month of May is a month of victories for the Armenian people. The
evidence to this is Avarair and Sardarapat which had a deciding role
in thelife of the Armenians. The `parade’ of victories continued in
the years of Artsakh war. On May 9, 1992 the Armenian town of Shushi
was finally liberated. The elimination of the emplacements in and
around Shushi was not only a military but also a moral blow to the
enemy. Catching the latter unawares, the armed forces of Karabakh were
to break through the severe siege and restore the vital communication
with Armenia. On May 17 the villages of the district of Berdadzor were
liberated. The next day, on May 18, the defence forces of Artsakh
entered Lachin and reached the frontier of the Republic of Armenia. At
the end of the 20th century one of the historical areas of Armenia,
Kashatagh, was liberated from the Azerbaijani yoke by weapon and due
to unity. On May 18 the 13th anniversary of the liberation of the
region was celebrated. At the ceremonywere present NKR President
Arkady Ghukassian, members of the National Assembly and the
government, as well as the NKR minister of defence, commander of the
Defence Army, Lieutenant-General Seyran Ohanian and Commanding General
Gurgen Dalibaltayan, Armenia. In the morning the head of state and the
other officials visited the memorial of Berdzor and laid flowers to
the monument to the azatamartiks killed in the liberation of the
region. After the service in the Church of St. Hambardzum
(Resurrection) in the churchyard the president talked to a groupof 17
tourists who turned out to be members of the choir of one of the
universities of North Carolina, USA. They had arrived in Karabakh
through the Armenian branch of the charity `Agape’ to take part in the
celebration of the liberation of Kashatagh. Then the guests visited
the Museum of History and Local Lore and the Art Gallery of
Berdzor. According to the director of the museum, L. Hovhanissian,
there are over 3 thousand exponents, part of which is of significant
historical and cultural value, the rest is important evidence to the
fact that the Armenians have always lived and created in this land. At
the meeting, which took place in the hall of the secondary school of
Berdzor, Arkady Ghukassian said: `After the liberation of Shushi the
liberation of the region of Kashatagh was the second great victory. At
present they attempt to refer tous as occupants but no, we only
liberated part of our historical land. What happened here was an
achievement but still there is much to do. I guarantee that, step by
step, all the problems will be solved. The recognition of our
independence, which is the goal of every one of us, is inevitable,
believe me.’ Congratulating the people of Artsakh on the memorable
event, the president called everyone to make their contribution to the
prosperity of Artsakh. A group of people were awarded medals by the
president for their contribution to the restoration and development of
the economy, culture and the social life of the republic.

NIKOLAY BAGHDASSARIAN.
21-05-2005