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CAPITOL HILL CELEBRATES 23 YEARS OF ARTSAKH FREEDOM
10:34, 03 Dec 2014
U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Adam
Schiff (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Jim Costa
(D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Janice Hahn (D-CA), Linda Sanchez (D-CA),
and Kerry Bentivolio (R-MI) shared a powerful message of peace and
freedom today at a Capitol Hill celebration of the 23rd anniversary
of Artsakh's independence featuring remarks by Ashot Ghoulian, the
Speaker of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh's Parliament, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
In the face of Azerbaijani Embassy's efforts to block this
Congressional commemoration, a record number of U.S. legislators
were on hand to voice their support for the security and success of
Artsakh's citizens in the face of escalating Azerbaijani aggression.
ANCA National Board Member Raffi Hamparian and ANCA Western Region
Chairwoman Nora Hovsepian traveled from California to welcome
legislators as part of a two-day advocacy trip covering a broad
range of issues, from Artsakh's freedom to pending Return of Churches
legislation.
"The strong Congressional showing at tonight's Artsakh celebration
on Capitol Hill underscores, once again, the American and Armenian
peoples' shared values of peace and freedom," said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian. "This truly was as much a wonderful
celebration of our American devotion to democracy as it was a
well-deserved salute to Artsakh's independence."
In remarks opening the program, ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian
called for a silent prayer, first and foremost to honor the three
Artsakh servicemen killed by Azerbaijan while aboard an unarmed
helicopter on a training mission over Nagorno Karabakh, but also in
memory of all those who have been lost - on all sides - during the
long years since Azerbaijan started the Karabakh conflict.
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone, who had met
with Speaker Ghoulian earlier in the day, noted, "Since 1991, the
people of Nagorno Karabakh have demonstrated their commitment to our
shared ideals of participatory and responsive democracy. He added:
"Tonight, we celebrate the relationship between the Nagorno Karabakh
and the United States, while also recognizing the important role
Nagorno Karabakh plays in the stability of the region. With them,
we will continue to push for restoration of their war torn economy
and work towards peace in the region with a strong and independent
Nagorno Karabakh."
In a letter addressed to the ANCA and shared during the Capitol Hill
Artsakh celebration, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman
Robert Menendez (D-NJ) stated "I have long supported the people of
Nagono Karabakh in their drive for independence and have advocated
for robust funding to strengthen their democracy and achieve their
development goals." Chairman Menendez went on to condemn the fatal
Azerbaijani downing of the unarmed Artsakh helicopter and "commend
the bravery of the Armenian soldiers who were able to bring these
[fallen] men home to rest."
Thanking the U.S. for its ongoing humanitarian assistance and
leadership in the OSCE Minsk Group mediation process in the face of
increasing Azerbaijani aggression, Speaker Ghoulian noted that "the
only way of establishing a long-lasting peace and stability in the
South Caucasus is the international recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic de facto independence and the provision of international
security guarantees." To that end, Ghoulian went on to note that
"the people of the Artsakh Republic highly appreciate and are inspired
with the continued political support demonstrated by the legislatures
in various states across the USA (namely Rhode Island, Massachusetts,
Louisiana, Maine and California) in the form of resolutions in support
for the right to self-determination and democratic independence of
our people."
Armenia's Ambassador, Tigran Sargsyan, offered powerful remarks,
outlining a comprehensive view of Nagorno Karabakh and underscoring
the Armenian side's commitment to peace, democratic self-determination,
and human dignity. Nagorno Karabakh Republic Permanent Representative
to the U.S. Robert Avetisyan offered insights on Artsakh's diplomatic
challenges and Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan offered a closing benediction
honoring Karabakh's spirit of freedom.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/12/03/capitol-hill-celebrates-23-years-of-artsakh-freedom/
10:34, 03 Dec 2014
U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Adam
Schiff (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Jim Costa
(D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Janice Hahn (D-CA), Linda Sanchez (D-CA),
and Kerry Bentivolio (R-MI) shared a powerful message of peace and
freedom today at a Capitol Hill celebration of the 23rd anniversary
of Artsakh's independence featuring remarks by Ashot Ghoulian, the
Speaker of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh's Parliament, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
In the face of Azerbaijani Embassy's efforts to block this
Congressional commemoration, a record number of U.S. legislators
were on hand to voice their support for the security and success of
Artsakh's citizens in the face of escalating Azerbaijani aggression.
ANCA National Board Member Raffi Hamparian and ANCA Western Region
Chairwoman Nora Hovsepian traveled from California to welcome
legislators as part of a two-day advocacy trip covering a broad
range of issues, from Artsakh's freedom to pending Return of Churches
legislation.
"The strong Congressional showing at tonight's Artsakh celebration
on Capitol Hill underscores, once again, the American and Armenian
peoples' shared values of peace and freedom," said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian. "This truly was as much a wonderful
celebration of our American devotion to democracy as it was a
well-deserved salute to Artsakh's independence."
In remarks opening the program, ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian
called for a silent prayer, first and foremost to honor the three
Artsakh servicemen killed by Azerbaijan while aboard an unarmed
helicopter on a training mission over Nagorno Karabakh, but also in
memory of all those who have been lost - on all sides - during the
long years since Azerbaijan started the Karabakh conflict.
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone, who had met
with Speaker Ghoulian earlier in the day, noted, "Since 1991, the
people of Nagorno Karabakh have demonstrated their commitment to our
shared ideals of participatory and responsive democracy. He added:
"Tonight, we celebrate the relationship between the Nagorno Karabakh
and the United States, while also recognizing the important role
Nagorno Karabakh plays in the stability of the region. With them,
we will continue to push for restoration of their war torn economy
and work towards peace in the region with a strong and independent
Nagorno Karabakh."
In a letter addressed to the ANCA and shared during the Capitol Hill
Artsakh celebration, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman
Robert Menendez (D-NJ) stated "I have long supported the people of
Nagono Karabakh in their drive for independence and have advocated
for robust funding to strengthen their democracy and achieve their
development goals." Chairman Menendez went on to condemn the fatal
Azerbaijani downing of the unarmed Artsakh helicopter and "commend
the bravery of the Armenian soldiers who were able to bring these
[fallen] men home to rest."
Thanking the U.S. for its ongoing humanitarian assistance and
leadership in the OSCE Minsk Group mediation process in the face of
increasing Azerbaijani aggression, Speaker Ghoulian noted that "the
only way of establishing a long-lasting peace and stability in the
South Caucasus is the international recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic de facto independence and the provision of international
security guarantees." To that end, Ghoulian went on to note that
"the people of the Artsakh Republic highly appreciate and are inspired
with the continued political support demonstrated by the legislatures
in various states across the USA (namely Rhode Island, Massachusetts,
Louisiana, Maine and California) in the form of resolutions in support
for the right to self-determination and democratic independence of
our people."
Armenia's Ambassador, Tigran Sargsyan, offered powerful remarks,
outlining a comprehensive view of Nagorno Karabakh and underscoring
the Armenian side's commitment to peace, democratic self-determination,
and human dignity. Nagorno Karabakh Republic Permanent Representative
to the U.S. Robert Avetisyan offered insights on Artsakh's diplomatic
challenges and Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan offered a closing benediction
honoring Karabakh's spirit of freedom.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/12/03/capitol-hill-celebrates-23-years-of-artsakh-freedom/