SPEECH OF NKR PRESIDENT DELIVERED AT THE GALA DINNER PARTY…

Azat Artsakh Daily
24 Nov 08
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

Speech of NKR President Bako Sahakyan Delivered at the Gala Dinner
Party within the Frameworks of the "Telethon -2008" /November 23,
2008, Los-Angeles/

Respected compatriots, Dear friends, Ladies and gentlemen,

I am very much happy to have an opportunity to welcome 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 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 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 contribution to the development
and prosperity of your Motherland. At t at the bottom of our hearts
we are grateful to you for such a great devotion and kind-heartedness.

Friends, a full year has passed since our previous meeting. I would
like to introduce20you changes, which also owning to you 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 rebuilt; a number of programs are in progress. Practical and
realistic programs have been carried out to solve social problems,
to increase living conditions of people and improve demographical
situation, a strategically important sphere for our state.

Recently we solemnly celebrated an unprecedented event – the Grand
Karabagh Wedding. As a result nearly 700 new families were formed
in Karabagh. This undertaking was carried out under the patronage of
our compatriots from Russian and its goal is to stimulate birthrate
and having many children in our country. This is very important
for the future of our people and republic. In this respect I want
to introduce an important figure: the programs being carried out
resulted in nearly 3000 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 volume of monies allocated
to agriculture, forestry and wat er industry by current year state
budget exceeds that of the 2007 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 population, personnel
of the armed forces and authorities of the republic. Artsakh people
are well aware that only through laborious 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 Mo therland and nation on the other
side of the ocean, have important 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 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.

Friends, I am very much confident that we will continue to build our
country together, do our best so secure quiet, peaceful and worthy 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 with 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 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 Karabagh Republic. We said many times before and
will always say that the independence and security of Artsakh are of
exclusive values cannot be subject to any speculation. 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!