OFFICE OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC IN THE USA
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 223-4330 E-mail: info@nkrusa.org Web site:
PRESS RELEASE
September 19, 2008
ARTSAKH’S FREEDOM ANNIVERSARY MARKED ON CAPITOL HILL
Members of Congress Back Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s Independence
WASHINGTON, DC – Members of Congress, prominent attorney Mark
Geragos, and human rights advocate Kathryn Porter came together with
about one hundred other friends of Artsakh on September 17, 2008 on
Capitol Hill to express support for the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
(NKR/Artsakh).
In 1988, the people of Artsakh were at the forefront of
democratization movement challenging the status quo in the former
Soviet Union. Twenty years later they are celebrating their
achievements in rectifying Stalin’s infamous 1921 decision that
forcibly placed Artsakh, an Armenian region, within administrative
borders of Soviet Azerbaijan.
Diplomats, human rights activists, religious leaders, regional
experts, congressional staff members, Armenian-Americans community
members, local and international media representatives attended the
event, sponsored and organized by the Co-chairs of the Congressional
Caucus on Armenian Issues Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) and Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI) in cooperation with the Office of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic in the United States, the Armenian Embassy and
leading Armenian-American organizations. The elaborate Rayburn Gold
Room was standing room only.
During the two-hour event entitled `Nagorno Karabakh
Republic/Artsakh: 20 Years of Freedom, Democracy, and Progress’ the
speakers highlighted Artsakh’s challenges and successes since the
start of the National Liberation Movement in 1988.
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, diocesan legate of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America (East), who also serves as President of
the National Council of Churches USA, offered the invocation,
followed by a brief presentation on the Nagorno Karabakh liberation
movement by Archbishop Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic
Church (East).
Rep. Pallone and Rep. Knollenberg conducted the event, taking turns
to introduce speakers. In his opening remarks, Mr. Pallone called
for continued American support for democracy in Artsakh.
`The past year has proven Nagorno Karabakh’s commitment to peace.
Faced with constant war rhetoric from Azerbaijani officials, the
citizens of Nagorno Karabakh have remained committed to respect for
human rights and democracy’, said Mr. Pallone adding that he will
continue promoting Nagorno Karabakh’s progress into a mature
democracy and encourage the evolution of U.S. policy towards NKR.
`The U.S. policy should include expanded dialogue with the
democratically elected leadership of Nagorno Karabakh and an
increase in development assistance. Above all, the United States
should unequivocally support the right of the people of Nagorno
Karabakh’s to decide their own future and way of life’, continued
Frank Pallone.
In conclusion, the congressman stressed that throughout its history
of independence, `Nagorno Karabakh had proven to be a reliable
partner of the international community and contributed to regional
stability, cooperation and peace’.
These remarks were echoed by Rep. Joe Knollenberg, a fellow Armenian
Caucus co-chair, who praised Artsakh’s achievements in transitioning
to a free market and building a civil society despite the repeated
war threats emanating from neighboring Azerbaijan.
`NKR has remained strongly committed to peace and stability in the
region of the South Caucasus, and together with the United States,
and the rest of the civilized world, remains dutifully committed to
human rights, good governance, liberty and the rule of law’, Mr.
Knollenberg noted.
Mr. Knollenberg called for recognition of Artsakh’s independence,
arguing that the U.S. support for a final settlement providing for
the security and self-determination of Nagorno-Karabakh was not only
warranted, but an important aspect of fostering and promoting
democracy in the region.
New Jersey Democrat Rep. Steve Rothman expressed his support for
Artsakh’s independence and stressed the necessity of peaceful
solution of the existing problems in the region. `There are
outstanding issues that need to be resolved [and] they should be
resolved peacefully and without threats and I have communicated
those views directly to the Azerbaijani government", the Congressman
said.
Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA) in his turn underscored the necessity
of supporting democratic development in Artsakh and called for
greater U.S. involvement in this process. In his opinion, the
international community should pay more attention to democracies
like Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia as components of a durable peace
and stability in the South Caucasus.
Congresswoman Shelly Berkley (D-NV) concurred, stating that members
of the U.S. Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues should remain
steadfast in their support to the Armenian people. `With the
commitment of the members of Congress who are part of the Armenian
Caucus and are just supporters of the Armenian people and the causes
that are so important to humanity and to democracy throughout the
world I think we can get this done", she said.
Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) touched upon the difficult ordeals the
people of Artsakh went through on their path to independence,
praising the Artsakhians for their strength and determination in
defending their values. `They [Artsakhians] had the spirit, they had
something that the Azeri’s didn’t have – the determination to be
free and that was what won the day", the congressman said in his
impassioned remarks recalling his trip to Artsakh in the 1990s.
California Democrat Rep. Jim Costa shared his ideas concerning
Artsakh’s place in the region and latest developments in the South
Caucasus. `Freedom is never free and it was underlined and
reinforced just recently between the challenge of Georgia and Russia
in that part of the world’, the Congressman noted adding that the
United States should actively involve into resolution of the
regional conflicts to prevent recurrence of the Georgia-Ossetia-type
situation.
Congressman Tim Walz (D-MN) pledged his support to the young
democracy and to the development of Artsakh. He also underlined the
need for peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict.
"We are here with you today to make sure that it is the pledge of
this nation that the next conflict or aggression by Azerbaijan is
not going to be tolerated or allowed to happen in the first place.
This free and democratic people deserve the support of the American
nation", Mr. Walz said and expressed confidence that all members of
the Armenian Caucus were determined to continue their efforts in
supporting Nagorno Karabakh’s independence.
Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) spoke about the importance of
congressional efforts to promote Armenian-American cooperation.
Talking about U.S. support for Karabakh, Mr. Frank said: "I want to
assure you that I will continue supporting the self-determination
rights that you are standing up for."
Mark Geragos, a prominent lawyer and an active member of the
Armenian-American community, delivered an enthusiastic and energetic
keynote address that stressed the historic nature of the
pan-Armenian victory in Artsakh.
`[In Artsakh] we have established an independent democratic republic
that sits there as a beacon in the middle surrounded by some of the
most repressive areas in the world", said Geragos.
Mr. Geragos called for international recognition of the rights and
freedoms of Artsakh’s people. He also urged substantial increase in
U.S. assistance to Nagorno Karabakh and pledged to continue active
involvement in developing of Artsakh-Diaspora ties.
Kathryn Porter, the President of the Leadership Council for Human
Rights, called `Angel of Artsakh’ for visiting and supporting
Artsakh during the war, recalled her first trip to the area: "I
watched women who had nothing to create a future for their children,
for their families, for all the people of Karabakh. I will not
forget what I learned there [in Artsakh], and I pray that you all
support them I think we have to have the courage in this country to
stand up and be what they need", concluded Mrs. Porter.
Tatoul Markarian, the Armenian Ambassador to the United States,
addressed the gathering and reiterated Armenia’s position on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
"As stated by President Serzh Sargsyan, the fact and the right of
self-determination of the people of Nagorno Karabakh must be
affirmed and recognized internationally. Armenia remains committed
to a peaceful negotiated settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
within the OSCE Minsk Group. While the final settlement is still
being negotiated, some realities are already irreversible", said the
Armenian envoy.
"The Nagorno Karabakh Republic has existed since 1991 and conforms
to all definitions of an independent state. The Sumgait pogroms and
the subsequent massacres and expulsion of the Armenians living in
Soviet Azerbaijan, as well as the war against Nagorno Karabakh and
continuing anti-Armenian hate rhetoric in Azerbaijan have created a
situation where Azerbaijan can never claim to govern Nagorno
Karabakh.
Many in the international community recognize this. And the package
on the table mediated by the Minsk Group co-Chairs recognizes the
right of self-determination of Nagorno Karabakh. The
self-determination of the Nagorno Karabakh people is the key to
achieving real freedom and for bringing long-term peace and
prosperity in the region," concluded the Ambassador.
Vardan Barseghian, NKR Permanent Representative to the United
States, thanked Artsakh’s congressional friends for their ongoing,
steadfast support of Artsakh.
"The people of Artsakh knew all along that this day will come, that
we will be celebrating life and freedom, democracy and justice,
economic progress and prosperity. By supporting Nagorno Karabakh
politically and economically, our congressional friends also serve
the cause of peace and stability in the South Caucasus, which is in
fact America’s overriding strategic interest in the region", said
Barseghian.
Barseghian said Azerbaijan continues to threaten Artsakh with a new
war because his country insists on freedom.
`And today, especially in light of the recent events in Georgia, our
friends in the U.S. Congress and around the globe, those who are
interested in stability and peace in our part of the region, need to
ensure that Azerbaijan commits in writing, without any delay, to
non-use of force", stressed Artsakh’s diplomatic envoy.
Barseghian also called for enhanced cooperation and partnership
between NKR and the United States for establishing a durable peace
in the South Caucasus.
"We expect the United States and other nations to formally recognize
the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, thereby affirming
the right of the people of Artsakh to live in freedom without fear
of violence, oppression and persecution", said Vardan Barseghian.
A special thank you gift from Artsakh was presented to
Representatives Knollenberg and Pallone. Nelly Martirosian, a
Columbia University student who spent two months in the Artsakh
village of Tsmakahogh implementing a youth development project,
brought back a collection of photographs and hand-made souvenirs
from the children of the village to the American people for their
support to Nagorno Karabakh.
The souvenirs included hand-woven mini-carpets, handcrafted wood
souvenirs, dry wild flowers, hand-sewn greetings and needle work
depicting the U.S. and Artsakh flags. Both co-chairs also received
commemorative medals on the 20th Anniversary of the Liberation
Movement.
Each member of Congress in attendance received a framed photo of the
Tsmakahogh children forming a `Thank You’ on the ground.
The event also featured a new documentary on Artsakh produced by
Los-Angeles-based journalist Peter Musurlian
(). The film `Artsakh/NKR: the Struggle for
Freedom’, soon to be available on the Internet, is a powerful
combination of interviews, narration and video footage that
eloquently presents Artsakh’s story.
NKR Representative Barseghian thanked all those involved in the
organization of the event. He especially thanked co-chairs
Knollenberg and Pallone for taking their support of Artsakh to a new
high by extending a full congressional hosting to the event on
Artsakh’s independence that highlighted shared values of freedom,
democracy and determination for progress.
Closing the event, Barseghian congratulated Artsakh’s friends around
the world on the 20th Anniversary of the Freedom Movement, adding
that "surrounded by such formidable friends, Artsakh looks
confidently into the future.’
***
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email to office@nkrusa.org
* * *
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.