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Remarks by the NKR Representative Vardan Barseghian
at the ANCA's 9th "Capitol Hill Armenian
Genocide Observance."
April 9, 2003
WASHINGTON, DC - Dear Friends, I want to thanks the
Armenian National Committee for organizing this event and for inviting
me to speak today. On behalf of my government, I would like to commend
the ANC for its competent work in Washington D.C. It is also thanks
to the ANC's efforts that the members of U.S. Congress know about Armenia
and Karabakh and are standing ready to defend our rights and interests.
On April 24th the Armenians and our friends around
the world commemorate the solemn anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
I would like to express my deepest sympathy to all the survivors of
the Armenian Genocide.
The entire Armenian nation is, in fact, a survivor
of the Genocide of 1915-1923. It is because of our strong faith and
spirit that we are still here today with our history, culture and language.
We are here today with an independent Republic of Armenia, a vibrant
Armenian Diaspora around the world and a victorious Karabakh. And we
are educating the world about what happened to us and we are rallying
support to pursue justice. And, most importantly, we will do all that
is in our powers to ensure that a similar tragedy does not befall Armenians
or any other nation ever again.
The legislature of this most powerful democracy in
the world has a moral responsibility to properly characterize Ottoman
Turkey's genocidal actions and we thank our congressional friends for
their tireless efforts to bring this issue to its successful, final
resolution. The Armenian Diaspora in the United States must continue
working closely with its elected officials to achieve proper recognition
of the Armenian Genocide, a goal of universal value.
Unfortunately, the "era of genocides" still
continues. Race extermination has recently been attempted in former
Yugoslavia, in Rwanda and in Karabakh. The international community has
until now failed to provide effective mechanisms for prevention of such
crimes. One reason for this is that there was no proper recognition
of what happened to the Armenian nation in 1915-1923. The perpetrators
suffered no consequence. And the unpunished crimes of the past continue
to inspire new perpetrators.
While counting, first of all, on our ability to defend
ourselves, as we did in Karabakh during Azerbaijani military aggression
of 1991-1994, we also look to those who share our vision that such actions
should be properly condemned, and in the future - prevented.
Official Baku continues to threaten Nagorno Karabakh
with new military aggression. We urge the U.S. Congress to closely monitor
U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan so that it is not used against
Armenia and Karabakh thereby destabilizing the entire region.
In addition, we ask the U.S. Congress to continue
providing humanitarian assistance to Nagorno Karabakh to meet critical
needs such as housing, health care, water and sanitation, land mine
clearance and also to ensure that Nagorno Karabakh is included in regional
development projects.
Armenia, Karabakh and our friends in the United States
and around the world have an immense responsibility to the present and
future generations of Armenians to ensure that the genocidal actions
of Ottoman Turkey and Azerbaijan are never again repeated.
Today, as we pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian
Genocide we must also do what is necessary to prevent any future genocide.
On behalf of the Government and people of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic I would like to thank all of you for supporting this
critical effort.
Thank you!
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