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Remarks by the NKR Representative Vardan Barseghian
at
Armenian Assembly's "Evening of Solidarity with Armenia"
Congressional Reception
April 7, 2003
WASHINGTON, DC - Dear friends, I thank the Armenian
Assembly for organizing this event and inviting me to speak. This is
a wonderful forum for the friends of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh on
Capitol Hill to meet the people they represent and I know you will find
it equally rewording to meet your representatives and their staffs in
person.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank once again the U.S. Congress
for allocating critical funds for assistance to Nagorno Karabakh. My
government deeply appreciates the tireless efforts of our congressional
friends and those of the Armenian-American community, particularly the
Armenian Assembly, to ensure continued U.S. support of Nagorno Karabakh
- through its balanced role in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution
process and the ongoing assistance in the post-war rehabilitation and
economic recovery of Nagorno Karabakh.
The Nagorno Karabakh Republic is grateful to the people
and the government of the United States for their leadership in providing
humanitarian assistance to Nagorno Karabakh. Thank you!
Much has been accomplished since the U.S. assistance
program was introduced in 1998. To name a few - thousands of houses
were reconstructed or repaired, dozens of health care facilities were
rehabilitated and equipped, hundreds of medical personnel were trained.
Potable and irrigation water projects were implemented in a dozen of
villages. About 6000 people benefited form the micro-loan program for
woman-owned businesses. And most importantly, 55,000 sq. meters of land
has been cleared of land mines.
But it will take time for my country to fully recover from the disastrous
consequences of the Azerbaijani military aggression of 1991-1994 and
Azerbaijan's continuing policy of isolation and economic blockade.
The ongoing humanitarian needs of Nagorno Karabakh
still include such basics as housing, sanitation, health care, drinking
and irrigation water, and land mine clearance.
It's critical that American assistance to Nagorno
Karabakh continues in order to address the serious humanitarian as well
as development needs. It is also important to ensure that all elements
of this volatile region are treated equally.
Since its establishment in 1991, Nagorno Karabakh
has evolved as a state based on democratic principles of government.
The war delayed that process slightly, but, nevertheless, the people
of Nagorno Karabakh are committed to building a democratic state, at
peace with its neighbors.
In Congressman Pallone's words "the people of Nagorno Karabakh
are genuinely delighted about the democratic process" and it is
indeed so. Last year's presidential elections in Nagorno Karabakh were
characterized by the international observers as "free and transparent".
Many U.S. Legislators understand the importance of
supporting this young democracy of ours, which after defending its freedom
on the battlefield is committed to peace. I thank in particular U.S.
Representatives Eshoo, Kennedy, Knollenberg, Nunes and Pallone for their
recent congratulatory remarks to the people of Nagorno Karabakh on the
15th Anniversary of the Liberation Movement of 1988.
President Ghoukasian's plan to strengthen Nagorno
Karabakh democratic institutions, further empower civil society and
continue economic reforms is well on track and it is extremely important
to continue supporting these very positive processes.
I encourage all of you - the participants of the Assembly's
Advocacy conference - to continue educating members of Congress both
on Capitol Hill and in their district offices on the importance of supporting
the security, democracy and economic development of Nagorno Karabakh.
Your involvement is critical. I hope this weekend's
experience will send you home even more determined to actively support
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Thank you!
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