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Congressmen Pallone and Knollenberg Congratulate NKR
PRESS RELEASE Washington, DC - The two Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Congressmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) publicly congratulated the people of Nagorno Karabakh on the 15th Anniversary of the Karabakh Freedom Movement. In a letter dated February 14, the Congressmen said in part, "February 20, 1988 marked the beginning of [your] determined effort to shake off Azerbaijan's oppressive rule and shape [your] own destiny. The same commitment to liberty lay at the foundation of the American nation." February 20, 1988 is considered to be the beginning of the modern day national liberation movement of the people of Nagorno Karabakh. On that day, the Nagorno Karabakh legislature officially petitioned the Soviet government to reunite the area with Armenia. Tens of thousands demonstrated for weeks in Nagorno Karabakh to support that decision and to show their desire to live in freedom. The Knollenberg/Pallone letter voiced strong support for Nagorno Karabakh's struggle for freedom, saying that the U.S. Congress stood by the people of Nagorno Karabakh "when [they] challenged the legacy of Soviet totalitarianism, contributed to the democratization of the former Soviet Union and to the end of the Cold War." The Co-Chairs also said that the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic "clearly satisfies the international criteria for statehood
with a democratically elected government, capable armed forces and an
independent foreign policy", NKR Foreign Minister Ashot Ghoulian thanked Congressmen
Knollenberg and Pallone "for their leadership in promoting values
shared by the peoples of the United States and Nagorno Karabakh and
in building bridges between our countries." He also said that the
people of Nagorno Karabakh deeply appreciate American support, adding,
" We thank our American friends for their encouraging words on
such an historical for us day. We also thank the people of the United
States for their ongoing, critical assistance in the post-war recovery
of Nagorno Karabakh. I assure you that the people of Karabakh are determined
to preserve their freedom, continue strengthening their young democracy,
and building friendly relations with the The anniversary was widely celebrated in Nagorno Karabakh's
towns and villages. In his congratulatory address to the people of Nagorno
Karabakh President Arkady Ghoukasian said: "Today, as never before,
we are convinced that nothing can keep us from defending our God-given
right to live in 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. * * * Full text of the Co-chairs' letter follows: To the people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic: February 14, 2003 "We congratulate the people of Nagorno Karabakh
on the 15th anniversary of the Karabakh Freedom Movement. February 20,
1988 marked the beginning of their determined effort to shake off Azerbaijan's
oppressive rule and shape their own destiny. The same commitment to
liberty lay at the foundation of The U.S. Congress has repeatedly voiced its support
for the aspirations of the Karabakh people. We stood by you when you
challenged the legacy of Soviet totalitarianism, contributed to the
democratization of the former For the past 15 years you have successfully defended
your freedom and now you are building a democratic state. Today, the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic clearly satisfies the international criteria
for statehood with a Our strong commitment to Nagorno Karabakh's security, development and regional integration continues. (Signed) Joe Knollenberg
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