NAGORNO-KARABAKH CELEBRATES 18 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

gorno-karabakh-celebrates-18-years-of-independence /
Sep 2, 2009

STEPANAKERT-The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic marked the 18th anniversary
of its independence from Soviet Azerbaijan on Wednesday with
celebrations throughout the republic.

An official commemoration, attended by state officials and clergy,
was held at the Stepanakert memorial in honor of the freedom fighters
lost during Karabakh’s liberation from Azeri rule.

The ceremony, which was preceded by a parade through Freedom Square,
was presided over by Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan,
Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian, former Armenian President Robert
Kocharian, and former Karabakh President Arkady Ghukasyan.

The celebration ceremonies also included the opening of the newly
reconstructed Stepanakert military hospital, attended by officials
from Armenia and Karabakh.

Nagorno-Karabakh, a historic Armenian territory forcefully placed
under Soviet Azerbaijan’s jurisdiction in the early 1920s by Stalin,
declared its independence on September 2, 1991. The move followed a
nearly three year-long grassroots movement in Karabakh calling for
self-determination and unification with Armenia that was met with
pogroms and deportations against the Armenians in Azerbaijan and
Nagorno-Karabakh by the Soviet Azeri leadership.

Shortly after the September 2 declaration, Karabakh’s population on
December 10, 1991, held a general referendum and overwhelmingly voted
in support of independence.

Karabakh’s independence was, however, met with violence as Azerbaijan
engaged in an unsuccessful war against the young republic aimed
at stifling its independence. A Russian-brokered ceasefire in 1994
ended the conflict, but the republic, which has been developing its
democratic institutions since independence, has yet to be recognized
by the international community.

This year’s anniversary comes amid heightened unease as international
mediators seek to pressure Armenia into signing an agreement with
Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s fate. The basic
principles of the Karabakh peace process call for the return of nearly
all of the seven historic Armenian districts liberated from Azerbaijan
that currently comprise the Karabakh security belt, linking the
mountainous republic to Armenia. According to the Basic Principles,
Stepanakert, which has been left out of the negotiations thus far,
will also be required to hold another referendum on its status at an
undisclosed date.

Many in Armenia and Karabakh fear that a peace deal under such terms
will jeopardize the security and statehood of both Armenian republics.

Below is Karabakh President Bako Sahakian’s address to the nation on
the occasion of the 18th anniversary of Karabakh’s independence.

Respected citizens of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic,

Today we celebrate the 18th anniversary of formation of the Nagorno
Karabagh Republic.

On September 2, 1991 the people of Artsakh opened a new chapter in
our ancient history, resolutely embarking on the hard and honorable
path toward the building of a free and independent, sovereign and
democratic state.

>From the very first day of its formation our state was forced to solve
hard problems and in the first place ensure security of the country and
its citizens. Together with Armenia and the Diaspora, Artsakh carried
out this mission with flying colors, defending state independence and
further strengthening its security. Many Armenians sacrificed their
lives in the defense of the Fatherland. Eternal glory to them!

After the war, the state faced new challenges this time of an economic
nature. We had to both restore the destroyed economy and lay a firm
foundation for the further development of the state. The creative
will of the Armenian people as well as the inexhaustible optimism and
vigor of the people of Artsakh helped the Nagorno Karabagh Republic
carry out these tasks in a relatively short period of time.

Today our country shows stable growth; almost all the branches of
economy are developing; the living standards of the population are
rising; and the democratic system functioning in our state meets
international norms and criteria. Artsakh stands as one of the key
factors for preserving stability in the region and its international
recognition is only a matter of time.

The most important security guarantor of our state and people, the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Defense Army, is able to give a fitting
rebuff to any encroachment upon its independence and security. Still,
there is a lot to do and we will only solve issues our republic faces
and further develop our country through diligent and ongoing work.

On the path of its development and state building the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic follows the ideas of establishing friendly relations and
peaceful existence with the neighboring states. We are confident that
any dispute should be settled only by peaceful means, through direct
and sincere dialog. At the same time there could be no doubts about
the independence of Artsakh or even the slightest weakening of the
republic’s security. These unconditioned values are not subjects to
any speculations.

Dear compatriots, I heartily congratulate all of us on this holiday
of utmost importance and wish you peace, health and all the best."

President Serzh Sargsyan issued a congratulatory address on the
occasion of the Nagorno Karabakh Independence Day, President’s Press
Office reported. The message reads:

"Dear compatriots,

I congratulate us all on the occasion of Nagorno Karabakh Independence
Day.

The past eighteen years reaffirmed the unambiguousness of the historic
decision adopted in 1991. Today, the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh is
a full-fledged state with its structures, army and most importantly,
with the citizens who are the masters of their own destiny.

Today, for us and for the international community Artsakh is a
modern republic that embodies the ideals of freedom, sovereignty
and democracy, and which is progressing despite all the obstacles
and artificially created hindrances and hardships, developing its
economy and culture, and defending peace.

Throughout these years the Republic of Armenia and the entire Armenian
nation have been and will continue to be Artsakh’s sturdy supporters. I
assure all the citizens of Artsakh and all Armenians that the peaceful
resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict will be first and foremost
based on the consent and free will of the people of Artsakh.

Dear people of Artsakh,

We owe this holiday first of all to those who stepped into immortality
sacrificing their lives for motherland and freedom. Bowing to their
memory, I once again congratulate you on this holiday and wish you
all well being, happiness and valor.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress