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Karabakh Celebrates Liberation Movement Anniversary
Reaffirms Commitment to Freedom and Democracy
PRESS RELEASE
February 20, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC – Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Nagorno Karabakh Liberation Movement. On February 20, 1988, reflecting the expressed will of electorate, Karabakh's local legislature petitioned legislative bodies of Azerbaijan and Armenia to peacefully transfer the region from Soviet Azerbaijan to Soviet Armenia, aiming to correct Stalin's wrong decision of 1921.
"February 1988 – is a turning point, which separated our past from our present and marked the beginning to our future," stated NKR Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulian at a special meeting today. "Celebrating this day as a national holiday, we reiterate adherence to our vision, to the principles of freedom and democracy. Today we confirm our commitment to continue on this path until the final victory," he said.
Karabakh's aspirations were fiercely opposed by the central Soviet authorities, which tried to suppress the first truly democratic movement on its territory. Moscow deployed Soviet troops along with Azerbaijani militia to instill fear and to crackdown. State-supported Azeri mobs attacked and killed hundreds of ethnic Armenians in towns and villages throughout Azerbaijan, including in Baku, Sumgait and Kirovabad (Ganje).
As the Soviet Union collapsed, the newly-independent Azerbaijan intensified its brutal attacks. In addition to pogroms, Azerbaijan launched a full-scale military aggression against the people of Karabakh, attacking towns and villages, killing thousands, dislocating many more and destroying vital infrastructure of the region.
Karabakh appealed to the world community to help stop the Azerbaijani aggression. While various institutions, including U.S. Congress, offered protests, no international intervention followed to stop the attempted genocide.
Left one-on-one with a fierce enemy that was seeking physical annihilation of the entire Armenian population, the population of Karabakh exhibited outstanding bravery and devotion to withstand the attacks, prevail in the war and pressure Azerbaijan into a ceasefire, which has held since 1994.
The people of Karabakh then proceeded to rebuild their lives and their country, establishing a firm foundation for continued security and economic development.
Today, Karabakh's friends around the world expressed their continued solidarity with the Republic. On behalf of the 159 members of the US Congress' Armenian Caucus, Co-chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) sent a letter to the NKR President Bako Sahakian.
"We write to offer our congratulations as Nagorno Karabakh marks the 20th anniversary of the democracy movement that gave birth to the hard won freedom that the people and government of your proud Republic enjoy to this day," the letter said.
"The United States stood with the people of Nagorno Karabakh as they strived to free themselves from the Soviet empire of enslaved nations. We were united during those years, as we are today, by the powerful idea that free citizens deserve to live under a government of their own choosing, not one imposed upon them by a foreign power."
The NKR Permanent Representative to the United States Vardan Barseghian thanked congressional friends of Artsakh for their steadfast support. "We look forward to our continued cooperation to solidify Karabakh's achievements," said Barseghian.
The Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh, today is a viable state with democratically elected government, rule of law, fledging civil society, and a booming market economy.
As a factor contributing to the balance of power in South Caucasus, Artsakh plays an important role in ensuring regional stability. Through an independent foreign policy, Artsakh continues to engage constructively with the international community to advance shared goals of peace, democracy and economic development.
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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, Artsakh.
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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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