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NKR President Thanks Congressmen Pallone and Knollenberg
for Their Congratulatory Letter to NKR People
PRESS RELEASE
September 16, 2003
Nagorno Karabakh Marks 12th Anniversary of its
Independence
WASHINGTON, DC - President Arkady Ghoukasian today
thanked the two Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues
Congressmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) for
their formal letter of congratulations to the people of Nagorno Karabakh
on the 12th anniversary of Karabakh's Independence.
In their September 2 letter the Congressmen said, in part, "The
path to freedom has not been easy. Yet Soviet oppression, Azerbaijani
military aggression, the consequences of a devastating war and a continued
Azerbaijani blockade have all failed to break your determination. And
on this September 2, we salute your formidable spirit and congratulate
you on this Independence Day."
The Congressmen's letter also welcomed Nagorno Karabakh's determination
and efforts to strengthen its democratic institutions and praised Karabakh's
contribution to peace and stability in the strategic South Caucasus.
The NKR Declaration of Independence adopted on September 2, 1991 followed
the national liberation movement that began immediately after Joseph
Stalin's infamous and arbitrary decision to include Nagorno Karabakh
in Azerbaijan in 1921.
Today, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic is an independent, fully-functioning
state that works towards entrenching its freedom, strengthening its
democratic institutions and deepening its market reforms. It also strives
for international recognition of its independence.
"Freedom and democracy, once only a dream, have now become realities
for the people of Nagorno Karabakh. These ideals, so dear to the citizens
of both our countries, have been achieved through enormous sacrifice
and
hardship. We deeply appreciate your steadfast support for Karabakh's
security and development, as well as your outstanding leadership in
building stronger bonds between our two nations," the President's
letter said.
President Ghoukasian thanked Congressmen Pallone and Knollenberg for
their active and effective advocacy for the U.S. direct assistance to
the people of Nagorno Karabakh, which "has helped eliminate the
consequences of war and improved the quality of life." He called
for continuing U.S. assistance due to still pressing humanitarian needs.
"Thank you for celebrating the 12th Anniversary of NKR Independence
with us," concluded President Ghoukasian in his response.
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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