Tweet
OFFICE OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC IN THE USA
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: (202) 223-4330
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.nkrusa.org
PRESS RELEASE
April 30, 2008
ARTSAKH'S ENVOY CALLS FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION
Urges Greater U.S. Political and Economic Support to Artsakh
Washington, DC - NKR Representative to the United States Vardan Barseghian
spoke at the annual Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill that also
featured U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
(D-MD), Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and other members of Congress.
The event was organized by the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues,
co-chaired by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), in
cooperation with the Armenian Embassy in Washington and leading
Armenian-American organizations. Armenian Ambassador Tatoul Markarian,
Prelate Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, and Dr.
Gregory Stanton, President of the International Association of Genocide
Scholars also spoke to the audience that included Armenian Genocide
survivors, human rights activists, and members of the Armenian community.
In his remarks, Representative Barseghian called upon the United States to
recognize the Armenian Genocide saying that it would "send a powerful
warning signal to those who plan new ethnic cleansing campaigns that the
truth will prevail, that criminal actions will be named for what they are
and that the perpetrators will be condemned and will bear responsibility."
Tying past crimes against humanity to today's situation, Barseghian said
that the Nagorno Karabakh problem is a direct result of the Armenian
Genocide of 1915-1923.
"Weakened by mass killings, deportations and widespread devastation
inflicted by the Ottoman Turks, Armenia was not able to hold on to its
historic province of Artsakh and eventually gave in to the Soviet pressure
to include it within administrative borders of Soviet Azerbaijan. And the
consequences of the Armenian Genocide, including that particular decision by
the Bolsheviks, continue affecting our lives today, over 90 years later",
the Artsakh representative said.
Stressing that the risk of genocide still exists, Barseghian said that
"Azerbaijan continues to threaten Nagorno Karabakh with a new war because we
insist on our right to live in freedom."
"Nagorno Karabakh will continue reinforcing its defense capabilities to be
up to the task, but we would like to see our friends on Capitol Hill and
those who want to see a stable and peaceful South Caucasus to send a clear
signal to Azerbaijan that a new war would not be tolerated," he said.
On behalf of the NKR Government, Barseghian thanked Representatives Pallone
and Knollenberg and other congressional leaders for their steadfast support
on issues related to Artsakh's security, freedom, and economic development.
He urged greater U.S. political and economic support.
"We hope that the U.S. Congress will continue its leading role in charting a
new format for relations with Nagorno Karabakh that looks beyond conflict
resolution to collaboration on issues of security, democracy and economic
development."
Concluding his remarks said Barseghian said that leaders on Capitol Hill
acknowledge that in "parallel to our common efforts to make this world
genocide-free, we also need to deal with consequences of past crimes and to
support those who still struggle for freedom and justice."
The full text of Rep. Barseghian's remarks is provided below. You can also
view it online at: http://nkrusa.org/nk_conflict/speeches.php?id=7
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 American
public representing the official policies and interests of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic, Artsakh.
* * *
Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill
Remarks by the NKR Representative to the United States Vardan Barseghian
April 23, 2008
Ambassador Markarian,
Honorable Members of Congress,
Your Eminence,
Dear friends,
I would like to start by thanking the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues, Representatives Frank Pallone and Joe Knollenberg, for
organizing this event in collaboration with the Armenian Embassy and all
major Armenian-American organizations.
Both co-chairs deserve a special credit for their outstanding leadership on
issues that are important to the Armenian-American community, to the United
States, Armenia and Artsakh. We highly value the support of our many
congressional friends on issues related to Artsakh's security, freedom, and
economic development. Thank you!
It is a great privilege to join you today, on behalf of the Government of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh, as we honor the sacred memory of
innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide. For all those gathered here and
for all those who spoke and will speak today, it is a solemn duty to be
here, to remember, reflect and seek justice, speaking on behalf of those who
were silenced by their cold-blooded killers in 1915-1923 throughout historic
Armenia, including its eastern-most province of Artsakh.
Tomorrow, tens of thousands will lay flowers at the Genocide Memorial in
Artsakh. They will remember the victims of the Armenian Genocide, among
which are over 20,000 Armenians brutally killed in Shushi, Nagorno Karabakh,
in March of 1920. They will also wow, once again, not to allow the repeat of
those horrible events.
Some, who are less familiar with our part of the world and whom we try to
educate about the urgency of recognizing the crimes of the past, would say
that we should not be concerned about a new genocide. Some are prepared to
argue that the modern-day Turkey is not a threat to Armenia and Artsakh. But
only 15 years ago, Turkey supported Azerbaijan as the latter waged a war
trying to kill or expel the entire Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh.
Unfortunately the threat of genocide is an ever present one. Azerbaijan
continues to threaten Nagorno Karabakh with a new war because we insist on
our right to live in freedom. Last month, Azerbaijan went beyond verbal
threats and breached the cease-fire regime by attacking our defense
positions along the Line of Contact. When Azerbaijan refused the OSCE
mediation to withdraw, Karabakh's Army responded in kind, recovering the
defense post and inflicting losses to the enemy. The threat of a new war by
Azerbaijan, whose army is trained by Turkish instructors, remains real.
Nagorno Karabakh will continue reinforcing its defense capabilities to be up
to the task, but we would like to see our friends on Capitol Hill and those
who want to see a stable and peaceful South Caucasus to send a clear signal
to Azerbaijan that a new war would not be tolerated. In this regard we
support the proposed elimination of U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan
until the latter ceases all hostile actions, including threats to use force,
against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
U.S. economic assistance continues to play a critical role in rebuilding
Karabakh's economy. To build on success of these programs, we ask that the
U.S. Congress continue allocating funds for humanitarian and development
programs to ensure that all parts of the South Caucasus have an opportunity
for economic and political progress.
The Nagorno Karabakh Republic is a functioning democracy. It effectively
controls its territory and enjoys the trust of its citizens. NKR conducts an
independent foreign policy and has the capacity to build and maintain
international contacts with governments and intergovernmental organizations.
It is time for the United States and the rest of the international community
to embrace this new democracy by expanding dialogue on all levels, including
on government-to-government level. We hope the U.S. Congress will continue
its leading role in charting a new format for relations with Nagorno
Karabakh that looks beyond conflict resolution to collaboration on issues of
security, democracy and economic development.
One might ask: How are these issues related to the Armenian Genocide
recognition? They are related for one simple reason -- the existence of the
Nagorno Karabakh problem today is the direct result of the 1915-1923
Armenian Genocide. Weakened by mass killings, deportations and widespread
devastation inflicted by the Ottoman Turks, Armenia was not able to hold on
to its historic province of Artsakh and eventually gave in to the Soviet
pressure to include it within administrative borders of Azerbaijan. That was
in 1921.
But, the consequences of the Armenian Genocide, including that particular
decision by the Soviets, continue affecting our lives today, over 90 years
later.
Therefore, by supporting Nagorno Karabakh economically and politically our
friends on Capitol Hill indirectly also acknowledge that in parallel to our
common efforts to make this world genocide-free, we also need to deal with
consequences of past crimes and to support those who still struggle for
freedom and justice.
Those who recognize the need to speak about Armenian Genocide, other crimes
against humanity, genocides in the making, ordinary citizens and their
elected representatives, help the cause of justice.
Last year, all of us had great hopes that the truth will prevail, that the
justice will be done on the Capitol Hill and that the House Resolution 106
would pass. And we remain hopeful. Needless to say that on many issues the
world looks at the U.S. for leadership. Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
by the United States will send a powerful warning signal to those who plan
genocidal campaigns that the truth will prevail, that criminal actions will
be named for what they are and that perpetrators will be condemned and will
bear responsibility.
Today, as we pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, as we
honor the survivors, we must also remain focused on doing all we can to
prevent any genocide in the future. Thank you!
* * *
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.
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: (202) 223-4330
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.nkrusa.org
PRESS RELEASE
April 30, 2008
ARTSAKH'S ENVOY CALLS FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION
Urges Greater U.S. Political and Economic Support to Artsakh
Washington, DC - NKR Representative to the United States Vardan Barseghian
spoke at the annual Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill that also
featured U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
(D-MD), Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and other members of Congress.
The event was organized by the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues,
co-chaired by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), in
cooperation with the Armenian Embassy in Washington and leading
Armenian-American organizations. Armenian Ambassador Tatoul Markarian,
Prelate Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, and Dr.
Gregory Stanton, President of the International Association of Genocide
Scholars also spoke to the audience that included Armenian Genocide
survivors, human rights activists, and members of the Armenian community.
In his remarks, Representative Barseghian called upon the United States to
recognize the Armenian Genocide saying that it would "send a powerful
warning signal to those who plan new ethnic cleansing campaigns that the
truth will prevail, that criminal actions will be named for what they are
and that the perpetrators will be condemned and will bear responsibility."
Tying past crimes against humanity to today's situation, Barseghian said
that the Nagorno Karabakh problem is a direct result of the Armenian
Genocide of 1915-1923.
"Weakened by mass killings, deportations and widespread devastation
inflicted by the Ottoman Turks, Armenia was not able to hold on to its
historic province of Artsakh and eventually gave in to the Soviet pressure
to include it within administrative borders of Soviet Azerbaijan. And the
consequences of the Armenian Genocide, including that particular decision by
the Bolsheviks, continue affecting our lives today, over 90 years later",
the Artsakh representative said.
Stressing that the risk of genocide still exists, Barseghian said that
"Azerbaijan continues to threaten Nagorno Karabakh with a new war because we
insist on our right to live in freedom."
"Nagorno Karabakh will continue reinforcing its defense capabilities to be
up to the task, but we would like to see our friends on Capitol Hill and
those who want to see a stable and peaceful South Caucasus to send a clear
signal to Azerbaijan that a new war would not be tolerated," he said.
On behalf of the NKR Government, Barseghian thanked Representatives Pallone
and Knollenberg and other congressional leaders for their steadfast support
on issues related to Artsakh's security, freedom, and economic development.
He urged greater U.S. political and economic support.
"We hope that the U.S. Congress will continue its leading role in charting a
new format for relations with Nagorno Karabakh that looks beyond conflict
resolution to collaboration on issues of security, democracy and economic
development."
Concluding his remarks said Barseghian said that leaders on Capitol Hill
acknowledge that in "parallel to our common efforts to make this world
genocide-free, we also need to deal with consequences of past crimes and to
support those who still struggle for freedom and justice."
The full text of Rep. Barseghian's remarks is provided below. You can also
view it online at: http://nkrusa.org/nk_conflict/speeches.php?id=7
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 American
public representing the official policies and interests of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic, Artsakh.
* * *
Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill
Remarks by the NKR Representative to the United States Vardan Barseghian
April 23, 2008
Ambassador Markarian,
Honorable Members of Congress,
Your Eminence,
Dear friends,
I would like to start by thanking the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues, Representatives Frank Pallone and Joe Knollenberg, for
organizing this event in collaboration with the Armenian Embassy and all
major Armenian-American organizations.
Both co-chairs deserve a special credit for their outstanding leadership on
issues that are important to the Armenian-American community, to the United
States, Armenia and Artsakh. We highly value the support of our many
congressional friends on issues related to Artsakh's security, freedom, and
economic development. Thank you!
It is a great privilege to join you today, on behalf of the Government of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh, as we honor the sacred memory of
innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide. For all those gathered here and
for all those who spoke and will speak today, it is a solemn duty to be
here, to remember, reflect and seek justice, speaking on behalf of those who
were silenced by their cold-blooded killers in 1915-1923 throughout historic
Armenia, including its eastern-most province of Artsakh.
Tomorrow, tens of thousands will lay flowers at the Genocide Memorial in
Artsakh. They will remember the victims of the Armenian Genocide, among
which are over 20,000 Armenians brutally killed in Shushi, Nagorno Karabakh,
in March of 1920. They will also wow, once again, not to allow the repeat of
those horrible events.
Some, who are less familiar with our part of the world and whom we try to
educate about the urgency of recognizing the crimes of the past, would say
that we should not be concerned about a new genocide. Some are prepared to
argue that the modern-day Turkey is not a threat to Armenia and Artsakh. But
only 15 years ago, Turkey supported Azerbaijan as the latter waged a war
trying to kill or expel the entire Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh.
Unfortunately the threat of genocide is an ever present one. Azerbaijan
continues to threaten Nagorno Karabakh with a new war because we insist on
our right to live in freedom. Last month, Azerbaijan went beyond verbal
threats and breached the cease-fire regime by attacking our defense
positions along the Line of Contact. When Azerbaijan refused the OSCE
mediation to withdraw, Karabakh's Army responded in kind, recovering the
defense post and inflicting losses to the enemy. The threat of a new war by
Azerbaijan, whose army is trained by Turkish instructors, remains real.
Nagorno Karabakh will continue reinforcing its defense capabilities to be up
to the task, but we would like to see our friends on Capitol Hill and those
who want to see a stable and peaceful South Caucasus to send a clear signal
to Azerbaijan that a new war would not be tolerated. In this regard we
support the proposed elimination of U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan
until the latter ceases all hostile actions, including threats to use force,
against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
U.S. economic assistance continues to play a critical role in rebuilding
Karabakh's economy. To build on success of these programs, we ask that the
U.S. Congress continue allocating funds for humanitarian and development
programs to ensure that all parts of the South Caucasus have an opportunity
for economic and political progress.
The Nagorno Karabakh Republic is a functioning democracy. It effectively
controls its territory and enjoys the trust of its citizens. NKR conducts an
independent foreign policy and has the capacity to build and maintain
international contacts with governments and intergovernmental organizations.
It is time for the United States and the rest of the international community
to embrace this new democracy by expanding dialogue on all levels, including
on government-to-government level. We hope the U.S. Congress will continue
its leading role in charting a new format for relations with Nagorno
Karabakh that looks beyond conflict resolution to collaboration on issues of
security, democracy and economic development.
One might ask: How are these issues related to the Armenian Genocide
recognition? They are related for one simple reason -- the existence of the
Nagorno Karabakh problem today is the direct result of the 1915-1923
Armenian Genocide. Weakened by mass killings, deportations and widespread
devastation inflicted by the Ottoman Turks, Armenia was not able to hold on
to its historic province of Artsakh and eventually gave in to the Soviet
pressure to include it within administrative borders of Azerbaijan. That was
in 1921.
But, the consequences of the Armenian Genocide, including that particular
decision by the Soviets, continue affecting our lives today, over 90 years
later.
Therefore, by supporting Nagorno Karabakh economically and politically our
friends on Capitol Hill indirectly also acknowledge that in parallel to our
common efforts to make this world genocide-free, we also need to deal with
consequences of past crimes and to support those who still struggle for
freedom and justice.
Those who recognize the need to speak about Armenian Genocide, other crimes
against humanity, genocides in the making, ordinary citizens and their
elected representatives, help the cause of justice.
Last year, all of us had great hopes that the truth will prevail, that the
justice will be done on the Capitol Hill and that the House Resolution 106
would pass. And we remain hopeful. Needless to say that on many issues the
world looks at the U.S. for leadership. Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
by the United States will send a powerful warning signal to those who plan
genocidal campaigns that the truth will prevail, that criminal actions will
be named for what they are and that perpetrators will be condemned and will
bear responsibility.
Today, as we pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, as we
honor the survivors, we must also remain focused on doing all we can to
prevent any genocide in the future. Thank you!
* * *
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.