OFFICE OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC IN THE USA
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: (202) 223-4330
Fax: (202) 315-3339
E-mail: info@nkrusa.org
Web site:

PRESS RELEASE
February 20, 2008

KARABAKH CELEBRATES LIBERATION MOVEMENT ANNIVERSARY
Reaffirms Commitment to Freedom and Democracy

Washington, DC – Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Nagorno
Karabakh Liberation Movement. On February 20, 1988, reflecting the
expressed will of electorate, Karabakh’s local legislature
petitioned legislative bodies of Azerbaijan and Armenia to
peacefully transfer the region from Soviet Azerbaijan to Soviet
Armenia, aiming to correct Stalin’s wrong decision of 1921.

"February 1988 – is a turning point, which separated our past from
our present and marked the beginning to our future," stated NKR
Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulian at a special meeting today.
"Celebrating this day as a national holiday, we reiterate adherence
to our vision, to the principles of freedom and democracy. Today we
confirm our commitment to continue on this path until the final
victory," he said.

Karabakh’s aspirations were fiercely opposed by the central Soviet
authorities, which tried to suppress the first truly democratic
movement on its territory. Moscow deployed Soviet troops along with
Azerbaijani militia to instill fear and to crackdown.
State-supported Azeri mobs attacked and killed hundreds of ethnic
Armenians in towns and villages throughout Azerbaijan, including in
Baku, Sumgait and Kirovabad(Ganje).

As the Soviet Union collapsed, the newly-independent Azerbaijan
intensified its brutal attacks. In addition to pogroms, Azerbaijan
launched a full-scale military aggression against the people of
Karabakh, attacking towns and villages, killing thousands,
dislocating many more and destroying vital infrastructure of the
region.

Karabakh appealed to the world community to help stop the
Azerbaijani aggression. While various institutions, including U.S.
Congress, offered protests, no international intervention followed
to stop the attempted genocide.

Left one-on-one with a fierce enemy that was seeking physical
annihilation of the entire Armenian population, the population of
Karabakh exhibited outstanding bravery and devotion to withstand the
attacks, prevail in the war and pressure Azerbaijan into a
ceasefire, which has held since 1994.

The people of Karabakh then proceeded to rebuild their lives and
their country, establishing a firm foundation for continued security
and economic development.

Today, Karabakh’s friends around the world expressed their continued
solidarity with the Republic. On behalf of the 159 members of the US
Congress’ Armenian Caucus, Co-chairs Joe Knollenberg and Frank
Pallone sent a letter to the NKR President Bako Sahakian.

"We write to offer our congratulations as Nagorno Karabakh marks the
20th anniversary of the democracy movement that gave birth to the
hard won freedom that the people and government of your proud
Republic enjoy to this day," the letter said.

"The United States stood with the people of Nagorno Karabakh as they
strived to free themselves from the Soviet empire of enslaved
nations. We were united during those years, as we are today, by the
powerful idea that free citizens deserve to live under a government
of their own choosing, not one imposed upon them by a foreign
power."

The NKR Permanent Representative to the United States Vardan
Barseghian thanked congressional friends of Artsakh for their
steadfast support. "We look forward to our continued cooperation to
solidify Karabakh’s achievements," said Barseghian.

The Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh, today is a viable state with
democratically elected government, rule of law, fledging civil
society, and a booming market economy.

As a factor contributing to the balance of power in South Caucasus,
Artsakh plays an important role in ensuring regional stability.
Through an independent foreign policy, Artsakh continues to engage
constructively with the international community to advance shared
goals of peace, democracy and economic development.

***
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, Artsakh.

* * *
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.