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RI Representatives Support Artsakh’s Independence, and Call on the U.S. Government to Formally Recognize the Nagorno Karabakh Republic

PROVIDENCE, RI — On May 17, 2012, the Rhode Island House of Representatives passed a resolution introduced by Representatives Fox, Mattiello, Corvese, McNamara, and Bennett that calls on the U.S. President and Congress to recognize the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The resolution also encouraged the republic’s "continued efforts to develop as a free and independent nation," and praised Artsakh’s "constructive involvement with the international community and its efforts to reach a lasting solution to the existing regional problems."

"I thank the Rhode Island House for passing this resolution in support of Karabakh’s aspirations for freedom, and hope that the legislature’s commitment to our shared values of human rights and justice will set an example for other legislatures in the U.S. and beyond," said NKR representative Robert Avetisyan.

The resolution was voted on the House floor in the presence of Artsakh Representative and a delegation from the local Armenian community: Chairman of the Armenian Cultural Association of R.I. Hagop Donoyan, youth advisor to the AYF of R.I. Levon Attarian, member of the board of trustees of the Sts. Vartanantz Church Stephen Elmasian, and member of the ARF Eastern U.S. Central Committee Ani Haroian.

Almost concurrently, on U.S. Capitol Hill, Representatives James Langevin (D-R.I.) and David Cicilline (D-R.I.) made statements on the House floor in support of the people of Artsakh. U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), in turn, issued statements.

"It is more important than ever that the United States maintain a principled stand for peace in this region, show that democracy can be born from conflict, and support Nagorno-Karabakh," said Representative Langevin. "It is my sincerest hope that Nagorno-Karabakh’s right to self-determination can be affirmed without further loss of life."

"20 years ago, the people of Nagorno Karabakh fought and died for their independence from Soviet Azeri repression and discrimination," said Representative Cicilline. "I join the people of Nagorno Karabakh today in recognizing the 20th anniversary of their independence and the formation of the Republic’s Army, and the liberation of Shushi." Representative Cicilline also referred to the resolution of the R.I. State House of Representatives on supporting the NKR's independence . (See the video of the statement at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9vnm6QsCAv4 )

Meanwhile, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee proposed in its Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill to provide "at least" $5 million for assistance to humanitarian and development programs in Nagorno Karabakh. The Committee also restated the importance of confidence-building measures and urged "all parties (to the NK conflict) to refrain from threats of violence."

"We are deeply grateful to our congressional friends for their continuing support of Artsakh on its path towards strengthening freedom, democracy and economic prosperity", said NKR Representative.

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The full text of the R.I. House resolution appears below. You can also find it on the Rhode Island House of Representatives webpage at: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext12/housetext12/h8180.pdf

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2012 -- H 8180

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LC02637

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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

SUPPORTING THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC'S EFFORTS TO DEVELOP AS A FREE AND INDEPENDENT NATION

Introduced By: Representatives Fox, Mattiello, Corvese, McNamara, and Bennett

Date Introduced: May 17, 2012

Referred To: House read and passed

WHEREAS, The Region of Artsakh, also known as Mountainous Karabagh, is located in

the Transcaucasus and has historically been Armenian territory, populated by an overwhelming majority of Armenians; and

WHEREAS, In 1923, the communist dictatorship of Joseph Stalin, in violation of the

national, territorial, and human rights of the Armenian people, annexed part of the region of Artsakh which was composed of a 95 percent Armenian population, and joined it with the region of Soviet Azerbaijan; and

WHEREAS, For decades, Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, having arbitrarily been

severed from Armenia and forced under Soviet Azerbaijani administration, peacefully

demonstrated for national independence and individual freedom and against Soviet Azerbaijani repression and discrimination; and

WHEREAS, In the years immediately preceding the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s

declaration of independence, these peaceful demonstrations were met with acts of violent

repression by Soviet Azerbaijani forces who refused to allow the reestablishment of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh’s national independence; and

WHEREAS, During the repressive and violent events leading to the birth of the Nagorno-

Karabakh Republic, ethnic Armenians were killed in Sumgait (February, 1988), Kirovabad (November, 1988), and Baku (January, 1990), by Soviet Azerbaijani forces. Over 350,000 Armenians were forcibly deported from Azerbaijan; and

WHEREAS, In July of 1988, within months of the Sumgait tragedy, the United States

Senate unanimously passed Amendment 2690 to the Fiscal Year 1989 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill (H.R. 4782), concerning the Karabakh conflict and calling on the Soviet government to "respect the legitimate aspirations of the Armenian people ..." and noted that "dozens of Armenians have been killed and hundreds injured during the recent unrests ..."; and

WHEREAS, The Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh would not be deterred and would not

allow their dream of national independence, and their inherent desire for individual freedom, to be destroyed by violence and repression; and

WHEREAS, On December 10th of 1991, despite continued violence against the people of

Nagorno-Karabakh, a popular referendum proclaiming the republic took place in Nagorno-Karabakh during the process of the Soviet Union disintegration; and

WHEREAS, Under the watchful eye of more than 50 international observers and in full

compliance with international standards for free and fair elections, more than 80 percent of the eligible voters in Nagorno-Karabakh cast a ballot. Ninety-eight percent of those casting ballots overwhelmingly chose national independence and individual freedom, thereby choosing the path of democracy after decades of communist control; and

WHEREAS, The population of Nagorno-Karabakh then held free, democratic, and direct

elections for its parliament; and

WHEREAS, On January 6th of 1992, the first-ever freely elected Parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh adopted a Declaration of Independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; and

WHEREAS, From the earliest days of its formation, the Republic’s freely elected

governmental bodies have continuously striven to build an open and democratic society through free and transparent elections, affirmed by international observers; and

WHEREAS, Since signing a cease-fire agreement with Azerbaijan in 1994, after three

years of armed conflict, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic registered significant progress in post-war humanitarian and economic development; and

WHEREAS, Despite the 1994 cease-fire agreement, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s

security and sovereignty continue to be threatened by regional tension and hostile acts; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby encourages the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s continuing efforts to develop as a free and independent nation in order to guarantee its citizens those rights inherent in a free and independent society; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this House hereby supports the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s continued constructive involvement with the international community and its efforts to reach a lasting solution to the existing regional problems, and to establish peace and stability in the strategically important region of South Caucasus; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this House hereby respectfully urges the President and Congress of

the United States of America to recognize the independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and to encourage nations neighboring the Republic to foster and maintain peaceful relations with the people of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. We furthermore urge our country’s leaders to continue promoting humanitarian and economic rehabilitation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and to fully support its continuing development of a free and democratic society, with all the social, economic, and political advantages that such a free and democratic society brings to its citizens; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this House hereby memorializes the United States of America to

support strengthening and solidifying our country’s relationship with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and its citizens, both culturally and economically, to insure the continued survival of this nation’s burgeoning growth of freedom and democracy; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the President of the United States and to Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation.

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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.

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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.

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Tel: (202) 223-4330

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