Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

ANCA: NKR Independence Celebrated on Capitol Hill

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • ANCA: NKR Independence Celebrated on Capitol Hill

    Armenian National Committee of America
    888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
    Washington, DC 20006
    Tel: (202) 775-1918
    Fax: (202) 775-5648
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Internet: www.anca.org

    PRESS RELEASE
    September 30, 2005
    Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
    Tel: (202) 775-1918

    MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, COMMUNITY GROUPS MARK 14TH ANNIVESARY
    OF NAGORNO KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE ON CAPITOL HILL

    NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Following please find a press release
    issued by the Office of Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the USA,
    on the Capitol Hill Observance of the 14th anniversary
    of Nagorno Karabagh independence.

    The event, titled "14 years of Nagorno Karabakh's Independence:
    Progress Toward Freedom, Democracy and Economic Development"
    was organized by the Office of Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the
    USA, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia, Armenian National
    Committee of America (ANCA) and Armenian Assembly, in cooperation
    with the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.

    #####

    OFFICE OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC IN THE USA
    1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036
    Tel: (202) 223-4330
    Fax: (202) 315-3339
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Web site: www.nkrusa.org

    PRESS RELEASE
    September 30, 2005

    NAGORNO KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE MARKED ON CAPITOL HILL

    Baroness Caroline Cox, Members of Congress, Armenian-American
    Community Mark Fourteen Years of Freedom, Democracy and Economic
    Development in NKR

    WASHINGTON, DC - Members of Congress and leading human rights
    activist, British House of Lords Vice-Speaker Baroness Caroline
    Cox, joined together on Capitol Hill September 28 to mark the 14th
    anniversary of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic's (NKR/Artsakh)
    independence. Over 100 Armenian-Americans, Congressional staff
    members and human rights advocates attended this unprecedented
    event, hosted by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the
    USA, the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia, the Armenian Assembly
    of America (AAA) and the Armenian National Committee of America
    (ANCA) in cooperation with the Co-Chairs of the Congressional
    Caucus on Armenian Issues.

    During the two-hour event entitled "14 years of Nagorno Karabakh's
    Independence: Progress Toward Freedom, Democracy and Economic
    Development," participants highlighted the great strides the
    Nagorno Karabakh Republic has made since shaking off foreign
    oppression.

    "Fourteen years have passed since the day when the people of
    Karabakh said a firm NO to continued foreign oppression," said NKR
    Representative to the United States Vardan Barseghian in his
    opening remarks.

    "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."

    Making the case for international recognition of NKR independence,
    Barseghian stressed that the Nagorno Karabakh Republic now meets
    all of the traditional, internationally acceptable requirements for
    statehood, such as control over a defined territory, a permanent
    population, democratically elected government, capable armed
    forces, and the capacity to conduct international relations,
    including participation in peace negotiations and functioning
    representative offices in Moscow, Paris, Washington, DC and
    elsewhere.

    Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-
    MI) stressed the progress Nagorno Karabakh has made since declaring
    its independence in 1991, and the pivotal role of U.S. humanitarian
    assistance in the region. "Progress is the key word here," stated
    Rep. Knollenberg. "The people of NK continue to make progress
    despite the challenges they face. I think in the future they will
    continue to make progress with the support of the U.S. Congress and
    from the United States." He emphasized that in Karabakh "the
    economy is working, the democracy is functioning and they continue
    to have successful elections, which are more open and free than
    [those in] some countries in the region." Knollenberg also
    commended the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the USA
    and its staff for keeping Members of Congress abreast of ongoing
    developments in NKR.

    Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-
    NJ) reminded participants that "often times when Karabakh is
    mentioned in the media, they forget to mention that it became
    independent legally under international law and under Soviet law...
    We need to keep stressing that this truly is a democracy that has
    an elected president and does so in a very transparent way." Rep.
    Pallone also pledged continued Armenian Caucus support for Nagorno
    Karabakh's democratic aspirations. "We will continue to urge the
    Bush Administration, or any other administration, and State
    Department that they need to be more supportive to Karabakh," he
    said.

    Representative George Radanovich (R-CA) stressed the important role
    the Armenian-American community plays in educating Congressional
    leaders about the vital concerns in Nagorno Karabakh. "Your
    presence here [on the Hill] helps us to better the relationship
    between [our] two countries," explained Rep. Radanovich, as he
    congratulated Nagorno Karabakh's 14 years of independence.

    Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) concurred, stating "I want to express my
    admiration for the Armenian-American community which has been a
    wonderful example to the other Americans about how you take
    democracy seriously . . . and how you do it for the moral
    principle. Thank you for insisting we take this principle of self-
    determination, that we so fiercely defend in America, and apply it
    elsewhere." Rep. Frank went on to remark about Azerbaijan's
    continued attempts to deny Nagorno Karabakh freedom. "I don't
    understand . . . and this is directed to the government of
    Azerbaijan: Governing when people are willing to be [governed] can
    be difficult; I can't imagine why anyone would want to go through
    the aggravation of governing people against their will. It really
    just is a dumb thing to do. . . I do not understand why any
    government anywhere would want to hold people against their will."

    California Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff noted that he supports
    "independence for NKR because it is both consistent with American
    values and because it makes practical political sense." He praised
    the growing democracy in the region, stating that "even though they
    have been politically and militarily challenged by Azerbaijan and
    its powerful ally Turkey, the people of Karabakh have continued to
    build all the requisites of statehood."

    The final Congressional speaker of the evening, Rep. Maurice
    Hinchey (D-NY), summed up the sentiments of previous speakers,
    stating "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."

    Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Dr. Tatoul Markarian noted, "self-
    determination for Nagorno Karabakh is the key to achieving real
    freedom and to bringing long-term peace and prosperity in the
    region. NK conflict's distinction from other conflicts in Eurasia
    is acknowledged by the international community. We understand that
    settlement of the conflict requires serious compromise from all
    parties. Meanwhile, I am convinced, and it is widely shared, that
    any solution to the conflict will be based on the fact and the
    right to self-determination of the people of Nagorno Karabakh,
    which the core and the final settlement must take into account."

    World-renowned human rights activist and an outspoken champion of
    Karabakh's right to self-determination, Baroness Caroline Cox gave
    the keynote address. Baroness Cox, who recently returned from her
    60th trip to the region, provided an eye-witness account of
    Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing campaign, pogroms and outright war
    against the people of Nagorno Karabakh and spoke passionately about
    the incredible progress - both democratic and economic - Karabakh
    has made since the 1994 cease-fire accord. Through a powerful slide
    presentation, the Baroness gave Members of Congress, staffers and
    attendees a first-hand view of reconstruction and rehabilitation
    efforts throughout the country.

    Lady Cox concluded her remarks by urging the international
    community to respect the rights to freedom, justice, and democracy
    of the people of Nagorno Karabakh.

    "It is high time for the international community to address the
    challenges raised by the conflict of the principles of self-
    determination and territorial integrity. 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 ...
    The time for recognition of the rights of the people of Karabakh
    for self-determination is NOW for the sake of justice, peace and,
    in due course, the economic prosperity and stability for all who
    live in the region."

    "If any people in the world today deserve the right to self-
    determination and the recognition of independence, it is the people
    of Nagorno Karabakh," said Baroness Cox.

    Among speakers at the program were ANCA Executive Director Aram
    Hamparian and AAA Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. Hamparian
    stressed the significance of NKR achievements and thanked Members
    of Congress for their ongoing support of Artsakh's freedom,
    democracy and economic development.

    "Today, as Armenians, we thank the U.S. Congress for years of
    moral, financial, and political support for Nagorno Karabagh," said
    Hamparian. "In turn, as Americans, we thank the people of Nagorno
    Karabagh, first, for their courage and leadership in sparking the
    democracy movement that spread to other republics and eventually
    helped to end the Soviet threat to the free world, and, second, for
    today being on the front lines in the advance of freedom worldwide
    - an enduring goal of the American people."

    Ardouny concurred by saying: "We have heard this evening about the
    importance of freedom, liberty and democracy fundamental principles
    that guide us today just as they did over 200 years ago during the
    founding of the U.S. Constitution."

    "Nagorno Karabakh is a geographical fact. It is a political and
    moral fact [Karabakhtsis] are the first people of the former Soviet
    Union to launch a freedom movement and set out in principle to
    institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human
    equality as is evidenced today," said Ardouny, drawing a parallel
    with what American statesman Adlai Stevenson once said about the
    U.S.

    Providing first-hand knowledge of the most recent election held in
    Nagorno Karabakh was Dr. Aleyda Kasten, who traveled to NKR last
    June as one of six members of the American Independent Monitoring
    Delegation. Dr. Kasten, who also observed presidential elections in
    the United States and last year's presidential election in the
    Ukraine, testified that over 75% of eligible citizens of Karabakh
    turned out to elect the Republic's Fourth Parliament since
    independence. "This was a tightly contested ballot that left no
    single party in majority control of the legislature. We, as a
    group, did not observe irregularities during voting or vote count.
    We were struck by the people's determination to democratically
    decide their future. We can honestly say that from our observations
    the elections were carried out freely and transparently," said
    Kasten.

    NKR Representative Barseghian closed the event by saying that
    "during its 14 years of independence NKR has shown demonstrable
    progress toward freedom, democracy and economic development --
    values championed by the United States and shared by the people of
    Karabakh. As the United States supports and promotes freedom and
    democracy for all peoples around the globe, we call on the U.S. to
    also continue to support the aspirations of the Karabakh people to
    live in freedom, security and prosperity."

    On behalf of the people of Artsakh, Barseghian thanked the
    Government of the United States and the American people for their
    ongoing aid to rehabilitate Nagorno Karabakh's war-torn economy and
    the shattered lives of its citizens and called on the U.S. to play
    a greater role in its conflict mediation efforts by encouraging the
    government of Azerbaijan to negotiate directly with the leaders of
    Nagorno Karabakh and to respect the will of the people of Karabakh
    to live in freedom.

    "This event would not have been possible without the strong support
    of the two Co-Chairs of the Armenian Caucus, Representatives
    Pallone and Knollenberg, Ambassador Markarian, the Armenian
    Assembly and the Armenian National Committee," said Barseghian. He
    also thanked Tim Delmonico from Rep. Pallone's office and Craig
    Albright, legislative director for Rep. Knollenberg, for their
    invaluable input.

    "The Nagorno Karabakh Republic is strong and successful because it
    has committed friends like you," concluded Barseghian.

    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.

    #####

    To request photos for publishing with the press release, send an
    email to [email protected]

    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.
Working...
X