OFFICE OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC IN THE USA
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PRESS RELEASE
December 10, 2009

KARABAKH MARKS ANNIVERSARY OF REFERENDUM ON INDEPENDENCE
AND ADOPTION OF ARTSAKH’S CONSTITUTION
President Sahakyan Lauds Independent and Strong Artsakh

Washington, DC ` December 10 marks the 18th anniversary of the
national Referendum in NKR, which served as a public endorsement of
the political status of the newly-formed NKR as the nearly all
eligible Artsakh voters (98.9%) voted for an `independent state acting
on its own authority to decide forms of co-operation with other states
and communities’.

More than a decade later, on the same day in 2006, Artsakh people
reaffirmed their commitment to live in a free and independent state by
adopting Artsakh’s main law ` Constitution of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic, which consolidated all basic principles of state sovereignty
and determined a new stage in republic’s development.

Conducted in full compliance with international norms and acting
legislation, the referenda represent pillars of Artsakh’s independent
statehood and mark key stages of continued democratic development.

Symbolically, December 10 is also the day of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights marked by the United Nations, which, inter alia,
provides that `everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of
person’.

In connection with this fateful day, the republic’s President Bako
Sahakyan delivered a congratulatory address, stressing that а
powerful and independent state was `an exclusive value that has no
alternative’. (Below read the full text of President Sahakyan’s
address)

* * *

Congratulatory Address of NKR President Bako Sahakyan in Connection
with the Day of NKR State Independence Referendum and Constitution

Dear compatriots,

In the modern history of Artsakh December 10 twice proved to be
pivotal. In 1991 on this day the Artsakh Armenians expressed their
unified will and confirmed the dedication of creating an independent
statehood. On the same day of 2006 again through the nation-wide
referendum the basic law of our state, the Constitution, was adopted
registering another great victory of our state, which succeeded in
defending its independence and freedom and was firmly staying on the
path of democracy.

December 10 is also celebrated as International Human Rights Day. This
fact is symbolic for itself as the Artsakh movement, the birth and the
very existence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic are the integral parts
of human rights, the reflection of the basic universal rights of
equality and self-determination of nations.

The people and authorities of Artsakh are adherent to the principles
that the December 10 twin holiday has entrusted with us. For us the
powerful, independent, sovereign, democratic and legal state is an
exclusive value that has no alternative.

I congratulate our entire people on this crucial holiday and wish
peace, robust health and all the best.

December 10, 2009

Stepanakert
Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh

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This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic in the USA on behalf of the Government of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic. The NKR Office is registered with the
U.S. Government under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Additional
information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington,
D.C.

The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is
based in Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government, academia
and the public representing the official policies and interests of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic.