KARABAKH PRESIDENT BAKO SAHAKYAN DELIVERS A SPEECH AT "HAYASTAN" FUND’S GALA

armradio.am
24.11.2008 13:59

On 23 November NKR President Bako Sahakyan delivered a speech at the Gala
Dinner Party organized by the "Hayastan" All-Armenian fund in Los
Angeles within the framework of the "Telethon -2008."

The full text of the speech is presented below:

"Respected compatriots,
Dear friends,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I am very much happy to have an opportunity to welcome you once
again at this overcrowded hall. This is the best evidence of the
fact that Artsakh and Diaspora are united and consolidated, that
Artsakh-Armenia-Diaspora trinity has been strengthening and becoming
more practical day by day.

First of all, I congratulate you as citizens of the United States
of America on electing new president. Indeed, the victory of Barack
Obama is an important event in the history of America and world
democracy. I hope that his readiness to address issues the Armenian
people face will contribute to further strengthening and diversifying
of relations between our countries.

I would like also to thank all of you that even today when the USA
faces financial crisis you are ready to contribute to the development
and prosperity of your Motherland. We are grateful to you for such
a great devotion and kind-heartedness.

A full year has passed since our previous meeting. I would=2 0like
to introduce to you the changes, which have taken place in Artsakh
within this time period. In virtue of your immediate assistance in
different settlements of the republic new schools, kindergartens,
medical institutions and water pipes have been built and reconstructed;
a number of programs are in progress. Practical and realistic programs
have been carried out to solve social problems, to improve the living
conditions of people and the demographical situation, a strategically
important sphere for our state.

Recently we solemnly celebrated an unprecedented event – the Grand
Karabakh Wedding. As a result nearly 700 new families were formed in
Karabakh. This undertaking was carried out under the patronage of our
compatriots from Russian and its goal was to stimulate birthrate. This
is very important for the future of our people and republic. In this
respect I would like to introduce an important figure: the programs
being carried out resulted in nearly 3 000 marriages registered
within the 10 month period of the current year. This is against the
background of 750 to 800 marriages, which were registered annually
in the last five years.

Considerable changes have taken place also in the size and structure
of the state budget. The 2008 state budget exceeds that of the previous
year more than 1.3 times. The money allocated to agriculture, forestry
and water industry by current year state budget exceeds that of the=2
0 2007 with more than 3.8 times, in the sphere of social security –
1.5 times. In the spheres of education and science the difference is
27%, in capital investments it is 22%, and in the sphere of culture
it is around 29 percent.

Reforms have been implemented in the spheres related to investments
and entrepreneurship too. As a result of these reforms the country’s
economy has received more than 10 million dollar foreign investments
in the current year.

In spite of positive changes it must be noted that the current year is
a quite difficult one for our republic. Almost all settlements of the
republic have suffered from unprecedented frost and strong winds. It
caused several million dollar damage to our economy. However, the
people of Artsakh were able to cope with those difficulties also and
came off with flying colors.

It became possible by dint of exerting every effort, systemized and
consolidated work of the population, personnel of the armed forces
and authorities of the republic.

Artsakh people are well aware that only through diligent work they
can build and enrich their country, make the land of their ancestors
flourishing and prospering, leave free and independent, strong and
invincible Motherland to the generations to come. You, our world-spread
compatriots, our sisters and brothers, who are always ready to be
useful to their Motherland and nation on the other side of the ocean,
have im portant role to play too.

The best proof of this can be considered the annual telethons organized
by "Hayastan" All-Armenian fund. The entire Armenian people have
been united around this idea. I want to assure you that every cent
you contribute to the Motherland will give its worthy result, will
be multiplied and serve its very purpose. Your kind deeds will be
memorized and passed from generation to generation.

Compatriots, the "Telethon-2008" is again devoted to the development
of Armenian and Artsakh economy especially to the revival of the
countryside, securing development of villages and rural settlements
and improving living standards of the population. The sums collected
during the already traditional telethons will be spent on building
and reviving state infrastructures, as well as on securing normal
living conditions for people.

The top priorities of our economic development are the spheres
of education, science, culture, health protection, capital
construction. The solution of problems related to the security of
our republic is of great importance too.

Strong and efficient army is the most important guarantee of security
of our people. The authorities of the state are have been doing
everything possible to keep the army always ready to fulfill the
tasks put before it.

I am very much confident that we will continue to build our country
together, do our best so secure quiet, peaceful and wor thy life for
the people of Artsakh on the land of their ancestors land and make
their homes and the Motherland prosper.

This year we have celebrated the 20th anniversary of Artsakh Heroic
Movement in a great way and reiterated publicly that we are resolute
in our choice.

The land of Artsakh has been and will always be an Armenian. We have
paid a too high price to live a free, independent and secure life in
our own land and not even for a moment we have right to forget about
blood that has been shed by the best sons of the Armenian people. The
best perpetuation of the memory of our martyrs will be the strong
and prosperous Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

We said many times before and will always say that the independence
and security of Artsakh are of exclusive values and cannot be subject
to any speculation.

Dear compatriots, the future of Artsakh is a task for the entire
Armenian people and only being united and consolidated we can realize
our national goals, only together we can secure bright and radiant
future for dear to all of us Artsakh and the worldwide Armenians.

Thank you and all the best!"