BAKO SAHAKYAN: THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHOUSHI IS A MATTER OF HONOR

armradio.am
26.10.2009 16:32

President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan delivered a
speech at the meeting with Armenian entrepreneurs and philanthropists
of Russia. The President stated, in part:

"Respected compatriots, Dear friends, Ladies and gentlemen

I am happy to have this opportunity today to meet you, to welcome
and express my deepest respect to everybody.

Our meetings in Moscow have already become traditional, which is not
accidental at all. Russia has been ally and friend of the Armenian
people for centuries and you being its citizens serve as a unique
bridge between your two homelands, live and work with the idea of
providing help to them.

People gathered in this hall have always assisted to the prosperity
and well-being of Artsakh, they consider the problems of their remote
Motherland and the pain of their native people as their own. You have
preserved the sense of patriotism alive. This very sense performed
miracles in the battlefield and I am confident that it will encourage
us nowadays because the challenges we face in times of peace are no
less important and require quick and efficient response.

The restoration and development of the ancient Armenian town of Shoushi
that for centuries had been political, spiritual and cultural center
of Artsakh is among such urgent issues. We intend to restore the
historical glory of past Shoushi, make the town modern, flourishing
and developed. And the fact that you are here is the best evidence
certifying that for each of you the development of this homeland
particle, its present and future is of utmost importance and you are
ready to contribute your mite to this important process.

The restoration of Artsakh’s old capital is of crucial importance
for the independent Armenian statehood. Historically Shoushi played
various roles not only for Artsakh but also in the life of the
entire Armenian people. In the XVIII-XIX centuries it was one of
the military, political, economic, cultural and education centers of
the Transcaucasus.

At the beginning of the 20th century there were tens of factories,
educational and cultural centers functioning in the town, 22 newspapers
were being published in Armenian and Russian languages, Shoushi had
close economic connection with the major cities in Russia, Europe
and the Middle East. Shoushi has also given a great constellation of
scientists, art workers, military and political figures.

The most tragic period in the history of the town was the beginning
of the 20th century. In 1905 the first massacre of Armenians was
organized in the town, hundreds of innocent people fell victims to it.

In 1918-1920 Shoushi was the center of the Artsakh liberation movement
and the capital of self-governing Nagorno Karabakh. In 1920 the town
was destroyed and the Armenians were expelled.

During the Artsakh war Shoushi was turned to one of the main
Azerbaijani military bases spreading death to capital Stepanakert
and adjacent Armenian settlements.

May 9, 1992 was a turning point both for Artsakh and for the entire
Armenians. Shoushi was liberated and this heartened the world-spread
Armenians. It was our second great victory after Sardarapat. It was
both a military and moral victory.

The liberation of Shoushi awaked in the sub-consciousness of our
people self-confidence in our own strength, as well as resoluteness
in building free and independent statehood. This great victory was
Pan-Armenian in its nature. The entire Armenian nation partook in
the liberation of Shoushi, the world Armenians provided material and
moral assistance to Artsakh and prayed to God asking for restoration
of historical justice.

The NKR authorities consider the development of the town of Shoushi and
the whole region as an issue of great strategic importance. For this
very reason we are planning to move some state organs and structures
to Shoushi, including the judicial system, the ministry of culture
and youth affairs, some sub-divisions of the Defense Army, the union
of writers, Artsakh branch of the State Agricultural University of
Armenia and some other bodies. We are confident that these measures
will give a new impetus to the development of the town.

Various funds and organizations as well as individual philanthropists
play a substantial role in the development of Shoushi. Our people
are very much grateful to them.

Dear friends, a great deal of work such as construction and
reconstruction of dwelling houses, educational centers, health care
units, cultural centers roads, water supply system and other objects
should be done in Shoushi.

The development of Shoushi is a matter of honor. The thriving of
the town will demonstrate the world our cohesion and united will in
defending national values, developing and strengthening sovereign
and independent state, further cementing the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora
trinity. I am confident that together we can effectively solve this
very problem too and gain another common victory."