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Artsakh’s Freedom Anniversary Marked on Capitol Hill.
Members of Congress Back Nagorno Karabakh
Republic’s Independence.
PRESS RELEASE
September 19, 2008
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| (foreground L-R) Kathryn Porter, Vardan Barseghian and Mark Geragos listen to congressional speakers |
WASHINGTON, DC – Members of Congress, prominent attorney Mark Geragos, and human rights advocate Kathryn Porter came together with about one hundred other friends of Artsakh on September 17, 2008 on Capitol Hill to express support for the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh).
In 1988, the people of Artsakh were at the forefront of democratization movement challenging the status quo in the former Soviet Union. Twenty years later they are celebrating their achievements in rectifying Stalin’s infamous 1921 decision that forcibly placed Artsakh, an Armenian region, within administrative borders of Soviet Azerbaijan.
Diplomats, human rights activists, religious leaders, regional experts, congressional staff members, Armenian-Americans community members, local and international media representatives attended the event, sponsored and organized by the Co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) in cooperation with the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States, the Armenian Embassy and leading Armenian-American organizations. The elaborate Rayburn Gold Room was standing room only.
During the two-hour event entitled “Nagorno Karabakh Republic/Artsakh: 20 Years of Freedom, Democracy, and Progress” the speakers highlighted Artsakh’s challenges and successes since the start of the National Liberation Movement in 1988.
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| (L-R) Arch. Aykazian, Amb. Markarian, Rep. Pallone, Kathryn Porter (LCHR), Mark Geragos, Esq., Archb. Choloyan, NKR Rep. Barseghian delivered remarks at the event. |
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, diocesan legate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America (East), who also serves as President of the National Council of Churches USA, offered the invocation, followed by a brief presentation on the Nagorno Karabakh liberation movement by Archbishop Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church (East).
| (L-R) Members of Congress Frank Pallone, Steven Rothman, Shelly Berkley, Patrick Kennedy, and George Radanovich prepare to deliver remarks on Artsakh's freedom anniversary. |
Rep. Pallone and Rep. Knollenberg conducted the event, taking turns to introduce speakers. In his opening remarks, Mr. Pallone called for continued American support for democracy in Artsakh.
“The past year has proven Nagorno Karabakh's commitment to peace. Faced with constant war rhetoric from Azerbaijani officials, the citizens of Nagorno Karabakh have remained committed to respect for human rights and democracy”, said Mr. Pallone adding that he will continue promoting Nagorno Karabakh's progress into a mature democracy and encourage the evolution of U.S. policy towards NKR.
“The U.S. policy should include expanded dialogue with the democratically elected leadership of Nagorno Karabakh and an increase in development assistance. Above all, the United States should unequivocally support the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh's to decide their own future and way of life”, continued Frank Pallone.
In conclusion, the congressman stressed that throughout its history of independence, “Nagorno Karabakh had proven to be a reliable partner of the international community and contributed to regional stability, cooperation and peace”.
These remarks were echoed by Rep. Joe Knollenberg, a fellow Armenian Caucus co-chair, who praised Artsakh’s achievements in transitioning to a free market and building a civil society despite the repeated war threats emanating from neighboring Azerbaijan.
“NKR has remained strongly committed to peace and stability in the region of the South Caucasus, and together with the United States, and the rest of the civilized world, remains dutifully committed to human rights, good governance, liberty and the rule of law”, Mr. Knollenberg noted.
Mr. Knollenberg called for recognition of Artsakh’s independence, arguing that the U.S. support for a final settlement providing for the security and self-determination of Nagorno-Karabakh was not only warranted, but an important aspect of fostering and promoting democracy in the region.
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| (L-R) NKR Rep. Barseghian, Rep. Rothman, Rep. Sherman and Amb. Markarian. |
New Jersey Democrat Rep. Steve Rothman expressed his support for Artsakh’s independence and stressed the necessity of peaceful solution of the existing problems in the region. “There are outstanding issues that need to be resolved [and] they should be resolved peacefully and without threats and I have communicated those views directly to the Azerbaijani government", the Congressman said.
Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA) in his turn underscored the necessity of supporting democratic development in Artsakh and called for greater U.S. involvement in this process. In his opinion, the international community should pay more attention to democracies like Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia as components of a durable peace and stability in the South Caucasus.
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| Congresswoman Shelly Berkley supports stronger America-Armenia ties. |
Congresswoman Shelly Berkley (D-NV) concurred, stating that members of the U.S. Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues should remain steadfast in their support to the Armenian people. “With the commitment of the members of Congress who are part of the Armenian Caucus and are just supporters of the Armenian people and the causes that are so important to humanity and to democracy throughout the world I think we can get this done", she said.
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| Rep. Patrick Kennedy said Artsakhians had the determination to be free. |
Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) touched upon the difficult ordeals the people of Artsakh went through on their path to independence, praising the Artsakhians for their strength and determination in defending their values. “They [Artsakhians] had the spirit, they had something that the Azeri’s didn't have - the determination to be free and that was what won the day", the congressman said in his impassioned remarks recalling his trip to Artsakh in the 1990s.
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| Rep. Jim Costa speaks at the event on Artsakh's freedom anniversary. |
California Democrat Rep. Jim Costa shared his ideas concerning Artsakh’s place in the region and latest developments in the South Caucasus. “Freedom is never free and it was underlined and reinforced just recently between the challenge of Georgia and Russia in that part of the world”, the Congressman noted adding that the United States should actively involve into resolution of the regional conflicts to prevent recurrence of the Georgia-Ossetia-type situation.
Congressman Tim Walz (D-MN) pledged his support to the young democracy and to the development of Artsakh. He also underlined the need for peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict.
"We are here with you today to make sure that it is the pledge of this nation that the next conflict or aggression by Azerbaijan is not going to be tolerated or allowed to happen in the first place. This free and democratic people deserve the support of the American nation", Mr. Walz said and expressed confidence that all members of the Armenian Caucus were determined to continue their efforts in supporting Nagorno Karabakh’s independence.
Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) spoke about the importance of congressional efforts to promote Armenian-American cooperation. Talking about U.S. support for Karabakh, Mr. Frank said: "I want to assure you that I will continue supporting the self-determination rights that you are standing up for."
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| Keynote Speaker Mark Geragos, Esq. called for greater U.S. political and economic support of Artsakh. |
Mark Geragos, a prominent lawyer and an active member of the Armenian-American community, delivered an enthusiastic and energetic keynote address that stressed the historic nature of the pan-Armenian victory in Artsakh.
“[In Artsakh] we have established an independent democratic republic that sits there as a beacon in the middle surrounded by some of the most repressive areas in the world", said Geragos.
Mr. Geragos called for international recognition of the rights and freedoms of Artsakh’s people. He also urged substantial increase in U.S. assistance to Nagorno Karabakh and pledged to continue active involvement in developing of Artsakh-Diaspora ties.
Kathryn Porter, the President of the Leadership Council for Human Rights, called “Angel of Artsakh” for visiting and supporting Artsakh during the war, recalled her first trip to the area: "I watched women who had nothing to create a future for their children, for their families, for all the people of Karabakh. I will not forget what I learned there [in Artsakh], and I pray that you all support them I think we have to have the courage in this country to stand up and be what they need", concluded Mrs. Porter.
Tatoul Markarian, the Armenian Ambassador to the United States, addressed the gathering and reiterated Armenia's position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
"As stated by President Serzh Sargsyan, the fact and the right of self-determination of the people of Nagorno Karabakh must be affirmed and recognized internationally. Armenia remains committed to a peaceful negotiated settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group. While the final settlement is still being negotiated, some realities are already irreversible", said the Armenian envoy.
"The Nagorno Karabakh Republic has existed since 1991 and conforms to all definitions of an independent state. The Sumgait pogroms and the subsequent massacres and expulsion of the Armenians living in Soviet Azerbaijan, as well as the war against Nagorno Karabakh and continuing anti-Armenian hate rhetoric in Azerbaijan have created a situation where Azerbaijan can never claim to govern Nagorno Karabakh.
Many in the international community recognize this. And the package on the table mediated by the Minsk Group co-Chairs recognizes the right of self-determination of Nagorno Karabakh. The self-determination of the Nagorno Karabakh people is the key to achieving real freedom and for bringing long-term peace and prosperity in the region," concluded the Ambassador.
Vardan Barseghian, NKR Permanent Representative to the United States, thanked Artsakh’s congressional friends for their ongoing, steadfast support of Artsakh.
"The people of Artsakh knew all along that this day will come, that we will be celebrating life and freedom, democracy and justice, economic progress and prosperity. By supporting Nagorno Karabakh politically and economically, our congressional friends also serve the cause of peace and stability in the South Caucasus, which is in fact America's overriding strategic interest in the region", said Barseghian.
Barseghian said Azerbaijan continues to threaten Artsakh with a new war because his country insists on freedom.
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| NKR Rep. Vardan Barseghian called for enhanced cooperation and partnership between Artsakh and the United States. |
“And today, especially in light of the recent events in Georgia, our friends in the U.S. Congress and around the globe, those who are interested in stability and peace in our part of the region, need to ensure that Azerbaijan commits in writing, without any delay, to non-use of force", stressed Artsakh's diplomatic envoy.
Barseghian also called for enhanced cooperation and partnership between NKR and the United States for establishing a durable peace in the South Caucasus.
"We expect the United States and other nations to formally recognize the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, thereby affirming the right of the people of Artsakh to live in freedom without fear of violence, oppression and persecution", said Vardan Barseghian.
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| Nelli Martirosian Presents a Thank You gift from the Children of Artsakh to the American people for the U.S. economic assistance to Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh. |
A special thank you gift from Artsakh was presented to Representatives Knollenberg and Pallone. Nelly Martirosian, a Columbia University student who spent two months in the Artsakh village of Tsmakahogh implementing a youth development project, brought back a collection of photographs and hand-made souvenirs from the children of the village to the American people for their support to Nagorno Karabakh.
The souvenirs included hand-woven mini-carpets, handcrafted wood souvenirs, dry wild flowers, hand-sewn greetings and needle work depicting the U.S. and Artsakh flags. Both co-chairs also received commemorative medals on the 20th Anniversary of the Liberation Movement.
Each member of Congress in attendance received a framed photo of the Tsmakahogh children forming a “Thank You” on the ground.
The event also featured a new documentary on Artsakh produced by Los-Angeles-based journalist Peter Musurlian (www.globalistfilms.com). The film “Artsakh/NKR: the Struggle for Freedom”, soon to be available on the Internet, is a powerful combination of interviews, narration and video footage that eloquently presents Artsakh’s story.
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| Sarah Ludwig (L) Executive Director of Americans for Artsakh, Mark Geragos and Rep. Barseghian pose for picture with event participants. |
NKR Representative Barseghian thanked all those involved in the organization of the event. He especially thanked co-chairs Knollenberg and Pallone for taking their support of Artsakh to a new high by extending a full congressional hosting to the event on Artsakh’s independence that highlighted shared values of freedom, democracy and determination for progress.
Rep. Barseghian congratulated Artsakh's friends around the world on the 20th Anniversary of the Freedom Movement, adding that "surrounded by such formidable friends, Artsakh looks confidently into the future.”
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This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the USA (NKR Office) 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) 481-3341, e-mail: info@nkrusa.org |
