SELF-PROCLAIMED NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC MARKS 18TH ANNIVERSARY

Interfax
Sept 2 2009
Russia

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has arrived in Stepanakert to attend
events marking the 18th anniversary since the establishment of the
self-proclaimed republic of Nagorno- Karabakh.

Senior Armenian officials are accompanying Sargsyan during the visit.

Anniversary ceremonies and concerts will take place across the
self-proclaimed republic today.

Armenia’s Heritage opposition party has called on the country’s
political and public circles and the Armenian community to launch
a campaign aimed at securing international recognition of Nagorno-
Karabakh’s independence.

"In 2007-2008, Armenia’s ruling coalition ruined an initiative put
forth by Heritage party leader Raffi Ovannisyan to recognize Nagorno-
Karabakh as a step that would have preceded international recognition
of Kosovo, Abkhazia and South Ossetia," the Armenian opposition party
said in a statement.

"Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence is our undisputable historical
reality. The statehood of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic meets all
international standards," it said.

The establishment of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic within the borders
of the Nagorno-Karabakh autonomous region and the Shaumyan district
was announced at a joint session of the legislatures of the autonomous
region and the Shaumyan district on September 2, 1991.