Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY CO-HOSTS SPECIAL CAPTIOL HILL EVENT CELEBRATING
KARABAKH’S INDEPENDENCE
Event Honors 14 Years of Freedom, Democracy & Economic Development
Washington, DC – On September 28, Members of the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues joined British House of Lords Vice Speaker Baroness
Cox and the Armenian-American community in celebrating the 14th
anniversary of Nagorno Karabakh’s independence. The Capitol Hill
ceremony was hosted by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in
the U.S., the Armenian Embassy, Armenian Assembly and Armenian
National Committee.
NKR Representative to the U.S. Vardan Barseghian opened the event by
discussing Karabakh’s struggle for independence. “Fourteen years have
passed since the day when the people of Karabakh said a firm NO to
continued foreign oppression. Fourteen years of ongoing struggle to
survive and prosper against overwhelming odds. Fourteen years of
serious achievements. Fourteen years of success. Many formally
recognized countries would wish to be able to say this about their
recent history, but only a few can.”
The event, held in cooperation with the Co-Chairs of the Congressional
Caucus on Armenian Issues, also included remarks by Armenian
Ambassador to the U.S. Tatoul Markarian and the following
congressional leaders: Caucus Co-Chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and
Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Caucus Members Reps. Barney Frank
(D-MA), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), George Radanovich (R-CA) and Adam
Schiff (D-CA).
Knollenberg and Pallone, who have both traveled to Karabakh,
reiterated their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and
to work with Congress to encourage ongoing developments in the region.
Congressman Hinchey added, “The people of Nagorno Karabakh have the
right to assert their independence and freedom; they have that right
and they should be provided the opportunity to do so. I am very proud
to be with you to assert my unity with you and your enterprise.”
The evening’s keynote speaker was Baroness Caroline Cox, Vice Speaker
of the British House of Lords. Baroness Cox, a well-known champion of
Karabakh’s right to self-determination, spoke passionately about the
great strides Karabakh has made since the 1994 cease-fire accord.
“Surely there must be some recognition of the rights of a vulnerable
minority, threatened by a repressive state with attempted ethnic
cleansing or genocide, to have the right to claim their independence
in order to survive,” said Baroness Cox. “…The time for recognition
of the rights of the people of Karabakh for self-determination is NOW.
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny commended the people of
Karabakh who beat overwhelming challenges to live in freedom.
“The people of Nagorno Karabakh have overcome great obstacles in the
face of Azerbaijan’s aggression and war against them,” Ardouny said.
“The fact that they prevailed is undoubtedly a testament to their
strength of character and unrelenting desire to be free.”
Ardouny added: “Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying ‘Freedom is the
last, best hope of earth.’ To that I would add, look no further than
Karabakh – it is a place of hope and freedom.'”
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
NR#2005-101
Photographs available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following
link:
s/2005-101/2005-101-1.JPG
Caption: Vice Speaker of the British House of Lords Baroness Caroline
Cox flanked by Assembly Congressional Relations Director Rob Mosher,
left, and Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.