NEARLY 80 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS URGE US PRESIDENT TO EXPAND RELATIONS

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Oct 17 2006

Washington, DC – To mark the 15th Anniversary of Artsakh’s
Independence, Members of Congress joined the Co-Chairs of the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Joe Knollenberg (R-MI)
and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), in sending a letter to President Bush
urging him "to recognize the 15th anniversary of the independence of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic [Artsakh]" and calling the President’s
attention to Artsakh’s "efforts in furthering their democracy and
creating an independent state." Nagorno Karabakh’s decision to
establish a sovereign state came as a continuation of the national
liberation movement that began immediately after Joseph Stalin
awarded administrative control over Karabakh to Soviet Azerbaijan
in 1921. After suffering from over 70 years of discrimination and
oppression by Azerbaijan and the Soviet regime, the people of Artsakh
stepped up their struggle for freedom and democracy by establishing
the independent Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh. The congressional
letter, signed by 77 members and sent to the White House on September
29, highlights a long history of U.S support to Nagorno Karabakh
and the will of the people of Artsakh to build a democratic and
economically viable country. The letter also notes the continuation of
Azerbaijan’s destructive policy, which threatens peace and stability
in the region and "goes against U.S. interests." Most importantly,
the congressional letter advocates for expansion of U.S. political and
economic engagement with Nagorno Karabakh. The letter said in part:
"As we work towards peace, the United States can and must expand
its engagement with the lawfully and democratically established
Nagorno Karabakh Republic. These ties should not be dictated by
outside forces but rather should be guided by the shared values
of our two nations. […] We should build on this success by
investing in developmental and good governance programs that will
strengthen Nagorno-Karabakh’s economy, democratic institutions,
and promote even greater cooperation on a range of regional and
security issues." Despite the overwhelming challenges of the past 15
years, Artsakh has registered impressive achievements: successful
defense of its freedom against Azerbaijani military aggression,
nearly complete restoration of its war-devastated economy, continued
strengthening of its democracy, unprecedented economic growth and
constructive partnership with the international community to bring
about lasting peace and stability to the South Caucasus. "Everyday, we
are advancing in building a country of our dreams – a free, democratic
and prosperous Artsakh. Fifteen years of independent statehood have
proved the righteousness of the historic path chosen on September 2,
1991. Throughout these years, the people of Artsakh have been truly
blessed to enjoy the political and economic support of the U.S.

Congress. We are deeply thankful to the American people for their
generous economic assistance that helped restore dozens of war-torn
villages, drinking water supplies and medical facilities," said NKR
Representative in the United States Vardan Barseghian. Rep. Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI), who co-chairs the Armenian Caucus, said:
"The United States stands for freedom and democracy, values that
have vividly triumphed in Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh, without any
international support. I am proud to support this nation as it works
to achieve formal international recognition of its well-deserved
independence. The U.S. economic assistance to Nagorno Karabakh should
be continued." "Time and again, the people of Nagorno Karabakh have
demonstrated their firm commitment to values of liberty and peace.

They have also worked hard to establish a developing democracy and
growing market economy. The United States should expand its political
and economic engagement with the Nagorno Karabakh Republic," echoed
fellow Armenian Caucus Co-chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).

Congressmen Knollenberg and Pallone also thanked their colleagues,
the co-signers of this congressional letter to President Bush, for
supporting this critical initiative. "In its quest for freedom and its
efforts to strengthen its democracy and develop its economy, Nagorno
Karabakh enjoys a broad-based congressional support. Our collective
aim was to convey this message to President Bush as the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic celebrates the 15th Anniversary of Independence,"
the congressmen said. This congressional effort enjoyed strong
support of the two Armenian-American advocacy groups in Washington,
DC. "The Armenian Assembly commends Congressmen Knollenberg and
Pallone for their initiative and leadership in urging the U.S. to
strengthen relations with Karabakh as it celebrates 15 years of
independence," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "As we
mark this special occasion, we are reminded of the accomplishments
the people of Karabakh have already achieved. The Assembly will
continue to work with its friends in Congress and the Administration
to advocate for Karabakh’s right to self-determination." "We want
to thank Congressmen Knollenberg and Pallone and all those who
joined with the Armenian Caucus in marking this milestone of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s continued contribution to the growth of
democracy, economic development, and the prospects for an equitable
and lasting peace in the Caucasus," said ANCA Executive Director Aram
Hamparian. On behalf of the NKR Government, Barseghian thanked the
Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian National Committee of
America for their effective work on Capitol Hill. "We are also grateful
to our congressional friends for their continued support of Nagorno
Karabakh on our path towards freedom, democracy and prosperity —
universal values that have been guiding Artsakh since independence,"
said Representative Barseghian.

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. September 29, 2006 The Honorable
George W. Bush President of the United States The White House 1600
Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President:
We write to recognize the 15th anniversary of the independence
of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and to call your attention to
their ongoing efforts in furthering their democracy and creating an
independent state. The United States has a long history of supporting
Nagorno-Karabakh’s democracy and its right to live in freedom and
peace. Since 1992, our government has taken part in international
efforts to reach a sustainable resolution to the conflict between
Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan. A durable cease-fire has been in
place since 1994, bringing relative stability to the region. However,
a comprehensive peace agreement has not been reached and the
continued standoff could lead to yet another cycle of violence. The
democratically elected leaders of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic have
repeatedly offered to implement mutual confidence-building measures,
for which the U.S. government has continued to allocate funding.

These leaders have consistently demonstrated a willingness to make
difficult compromises in the interest of a lasting peace. However,
in contrast, Azerbaijan has rejected confidence-building measures and
demonstrated a consistent pattern of inflexibility in the negotiating
process. To further destabilize the region, Azerbaijan continues to
maintain a blockade of both Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia and regularly
threatens a new wave of violence against Nagorno-Karabakh.

We have every reason to believe this threat is realistic given their
rapidly increasing military budget. An arms race or new violence in
the South Caucasus region goes specifically against U.S. interests
in the region. The key to preventing this outcome is for the United
States to send a clear message to Azerbaijan that we will not tolerate
renewed aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh. Earlier this year, we were
pleased with Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried’s statement that,
"the will of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh has to be respected." We
wholeheartedly share this view and hope that you will build upon
this constructive approach to a long-term settlement. Our interest
is in working, in a manner consistent with fundamental democratic
principle, to bring a durable resolution, acceptable to all parties,
to the region. As the world’s greatest force for freedom, we should
always champion values of liberty, democracy, and peace. As we work
towards peace, the United States can and must expand its engagement
with the lawfully and democratically established Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic. These ties should not be dictated by outside forces but
rather should be guided by the shared values of our two nations. Our
decision in 1988 to aid Nagorno-Karabakh has become one of the
most effective assistance efforts anywhere in the world, providing
thousands of people with housing, water, and healthcare needs. We
should build on this success by investing in developmental and good
governance programs that will strengthen Nagorno-Karabakh’s economy,
democratic institutions, and promote even greater cooperation on a
range of regional and security issues. Mr. President, as we mark the
15th anniversary of independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, we urge you
to join with us in celebrating this nation’s courageous choice for
freedom, its strong commitment to democratic values, and its sincere
desire to work toward lasting peace. We appreciate your consideration
of our concerns. Sincerely, [signed] Robert Andrews (D-NJ), Joseph
Baca (D-CA), Charles Bass (R-NH), Melissa Bean (D-IL), Xavier Becerra
(D-CA), Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Loi Capps
(D-CA), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), John Conyers (D-MI), Jim Costa (D-CA),
Jerry Costello (D-IL), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA),
Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ),
Charles Gonzalez (D-TX), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY),
Rush Holt (D-NJ), Michael Honda (D-CA), Steve Israel (D-NY), Jesse
Jackson (D-IL), Sue Kelly (R-NY), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Dale Kildee
(D-MI), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), James Langevin
(D-RI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Sander Levin (D-MI), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA),
Nita Lowey (D-NY), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY),
Edward Markey (D-MA), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI),
James McGovern (D-MA), Howard McKeon (R-CA), Michael McNulty (D-NY),
Martin Meehan (D-MA), Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA), Candice Miller
(R-MI), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Eleanor Norton (D-DC), Devin Nunes
(R-CA), John Olver (D-MA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Donald Payne (D-NJ),
Collin Peterson (D-MN), George Radanovich (R-CA), Michael Rogers
(R-MI), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Bobby
Rush (D-IL), Jim Saxton (R-NJ), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Adam Schiff
(D-CA), Joe Schwarz (R-MI), E. Clay Shaw (R-FL), Chris Shays (R-CT),
Brad Sherman (D-CA), Robert Simmons (R-CT), Hilda Solis (D-CA),
Mark Souder (R-IN), Fortney Stark (D-CA), Ted Strickland (D-OH),
John Sweeney (R-NY), John Tierney (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD),
Peter Visclosky (D-IN), Anthony Weiner (D-NY), Frank Wolf (R-VA),
Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Albert Wynn (D-MD)