BAKO SAHAKYAN: DEVELOPMENT OF SHOUSHI IS A MATTER OF HONOR

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.10.2009 18:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Nagorno Karabagh Republic President Bako Sahakyan
delivered at a speech of at the meeting with Armenian entrepreneurs
and philanthropists of Russia.

"I am happy to have this opportunity today to meet you, 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 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
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 irrespective of residence place 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 in the 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 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 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 Karabagh. 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 military and moral victory.

The liberation of Shoushi awaked in the sub-consciousness of our
people self-confidence in our own strength and gaining a unified
victory, 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 authorities of the NKR 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," the NKR President
said.