NKR PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS ON THE INDEPENDENCE DAY
Azat Artsakh Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
05 Sept 05
Dear fellow countrymen, Today on September 2nd Nagorno Karabakh
Republic celebrates the 14th anniversary of proclamation of NKR. We
celebrate our chief holiday in ceasefire, which enables us to develop
free and independent Artsakh which has chosen the way of democratic
development in a comparatively quiet situation. And though NKR has not
been recognized yet, our country proved to the world that not only
did it de facto accomplish itself but also left behind many of its
neighbours in adopting the standards of the European community. The
evidence to this is the recent election to the National Assembly in
June, highly evaluated by the independent international observers. No
one taught lessons of democracy to the people of Artsakh as it
is constantly done in Azerbaijan where no election held so far,
be it presidential, parliamentary or local, corresponded to the
basic rules of the modern democratic societies. Today Azerbaijan is
even unable to defend the rights of its own people, let alone the
ethnic minorities living in this country. This sole fact is enough
for the progressive international community to recognize the right
of the people of Karabakh to have a sovereign state independent of
Azerbaijan. This is the reality, and the world, including Azerbaijan,
cannot but take it into consideration. And it is not accidental that
the Baku authorities do their best to conceal from their people the
achievements of Nagorno Karabakh in building a legitimate democratic
state, preventing their citizens from visiting NKR, communicating with
the people of Artsakh. However, this kind of behaviour has no prospect
because it causes alienation of the two peoples thus delaying the day
of the overall and mutually acceptable resolution. What is more, the
steps of the Azerbaijani government and its defiance of negotiations
with Karabakh stake the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
in a civilized way, on the basis of reasonable compromise. Therefore
the unresolved conflict remains a factor which threatens to destabili!
ze the situation in the region. Using the opportunity I want to
assure you once again that the NKR government is only for the
peace resolution of the conflict with Azerbaijan. At the same
time our people can be sure that no one will be able to take away
from Artsakh the independence won at the expense of irretrievable
losses. The truly popular Defence Army of NKR is able to counteract
to those who will intrude into our fatherland. It has all the
necessary means and possibilities. However, we have no right to be
satisfied with what we have. By merely praising the way we already
passed, we are likely to lose all we acquired without a clear and
precise perspective of tomorrow, and the future generations will
never forgive us. In the future too we must promote the country’s
ability to defend itself, foster the rates of economic, social and
cultural development. It is necessary to put to use our main wealth,
the physical and mental potential of the people of Artsakh, their
professionalism and assiduity, multiply the cultural heritage of
Artsakh. The successful realization of these objectives is pointless
without further democratization of the public and political life
of NKR and building a civil society. There can be no alternative to
this. The development of the sovereignty of Karabakh is impossible
without the support of Armenia and the Diaspora. However, we do not
use the political and economic potential of the triangle Armenia –
Artsakh – Diaspora at full yet, for the international recognition of
NKR either. Certainly we have much to do in this regard. Dear fellow
countrymen, on this day each of us should feel responsible for the
future of Artsakh. We still have many unsettled problems. However,
we can overcome the difficulties only through joint efforts, honest
work, mutual trust and thoughtfulness towards the concerns and needs
of each Artsakh man. Congratulations, dear friends. I wish you all
the best. Peace and prosperity to our fatherland, Nagorno Karabakh
Republic.