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KARABAKH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: OUR GOAL IS TO LIVE WITHOUT COERCION
by Emil Sanamyan
http://www.reporter.am/index.cfm?objectid=20385B12-E3A8-11E0-AE450003FF3452C2
Tuesday September 20, 2011
Ghulian addresses the congressional event, as Pallone looks on. NKR
Office
Washington - Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulian addressed a congressional
celebration marking the 20th anniversary of Artsakh's independence,
noting the unrecognized republic's accomplishments and challenges.
"Since the beginning of the Karabakh Freedom Movement in 1988, on
the day when we declared our independence on September 2, 1991 and
today our main goal remains unchanged: to live without coercion; not
to oppress, and not to be oppressed," Ghulian stressed in his remarks.
While expressing Nagorno Karabakh Republic's aspiration for a peaceful
settlement of the conflict with Azerbaijan, Ghulian noted the hardened
attitudes in that country fueled by oil and gas revenues and argued
that in absence of alternatives, the current cease-fire provided a
basic foundation for future peace.
Karabakh Speaker also argued that "just like "blood diamonds" sometimes
encourage warfare, the inflow of cash - including American cash -
into Azerbaijan is what has made its leadership so intransigent
and revanchist.
"By contrast, every dollar invested or donated to Artsakh strengthens
today's tenuous peace and helps all parties retain a reasonable
prospect for resolution that renewed warfare would postpone
indefinitely," Ghulian added.
The event was organized by co-chairs of the Armenian Congressional
Caucus Reps. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and
attended by Reps. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.),
Robert Dold (R-Ill.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.)
and Jackie Speier (D-Calif.). Congressional speakers noted their
continued support for NKR, its recognition and U.S. aid.
According to media reports, Azerbaijan's foreign ministry downplayed
the importance of the event whereas and Azerbaijan's Embassy in U.S.
attempted to thwart the event sending a five-page letter to all
members of Congress calling on them not to attend it. A Baku news
agency claimed that Washington area Azerbaijani students staged a
protest outside the event venue, but no such protest could be observed
throughout the two and a half session.
Accompanied on his Washington visit by fellow member of NKR's National
Assembly Zoya Lazarian, Ghoulian also met with Rep. Howard Berman
(D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, other
members of Congress, Washington-based experts and Armenian American
groups.
English translation of Ghulian's remarks as delivered at the Capitol
Hill event on September 13 and provided by NKR Office in Washington:
Srbazan Hayr,
Honorable Members of Congress,
Ambassador Markaryan,
Dear compatriots, ladies and gentlemen:
It is an honor to celebrate my people's main holiday - our Independence
Day, the 20th anniversary of Nagorno Karabakh Republic - here, in
the US Congress, with such a distinguished audience.
I want to express gratitude to the organizers of this event -
members of the Armenian Caucus, especially the Caucus Co-Chairs -
Representatives Frank Pallone and Ed Royce, as well as the Armenian
Embassy, personally Ambassador Margaryan, Office of Artsakh in the
USA and all the Armenian-American organizations who facilitated
this reception.
When Americans declared independence in 1776, my country was not
yet free. But this was a dream Armenians shared already at the time,
as in 1773 the first Armenian constitutional project was published
by Hakob Shanamirian in Madras, India.
We continued to cherish those ideas when the Soviet Union declared
the policy of reform and the perestroyka, which were welcomed by the
United States Government and the whole American people.
Since the beginning of the Karabakh Freedom Movement in 1988, on
the day when we declared our independence on September 2, 1991 and
today our main goal remains unchanged: to live without coercion;
not to oppress, and not to be oppressed. We find any expression of
violence abhorrent.
All of us remember the tragedy, which happened to the American nation
ten years ago. On behalf of the Artsakh people, I want to express our
condolences and support to the United States in its struggle against
the global terrorism.
In the dark days of war in Karabakh, we also had to resist aggressors
who espoused similar radical and terrorist ideology.
Today, the United States is making tireless efforts to find a positive
and peaceful negotiated solution to the Nagorno Karabakh problem,
which will be fair and acceptable for the conflicting sides. We
appreciate the mediating efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group, and give a
special significance to the personal involvement of Presidents Obama,
Sarkozy and Medvedev.
In modern world, problems can only be solved through patient
negotiations. Only through this path, issues previously considered
unsolvable can and have been resolved.
But first bloodshed must stop and new bloodletting prevented. In this
regard, it is crucial to continue maintaining the May 1994 ceasefire
agreement, despite Azerbaijan's continuing military provocations.
Dear Friends,
We are sincere in our aspiration for peace and cooperation. We have
repeatedly expressed our readiness to meet Azerbaijan half way.
Unfortunately, we have not seen similar readiness by Azerbaijan,
and we do not see it today.
We realize that the status quo is not what we had hoped for when we
embarked on our struggle. Yet, particularly considering Azerbaijan's
openly and repeatedly stated threat of military action, the current
situation with all its components represents the system of our
security. Any changes to this arrangement without real guarantees and
real definition of what peace and our sovereignty will look like are
unacceptable for us.
Our country and our society are open to the world. We have offered
cooperation to various international structures. And we hope and expect
that, from now on, any report on Karabakh will based on reality,
and not on conclusions by "experts" without first-hand knowledge of
our country. I am not trying to idealize, we are not perfect, but for
the past twenty years, our republic has made significant progress in
all directions of development.
Today, Artsakh is an independent, sovereign, democratic and social
country. Our state governance system is fully functioning, and
operates within a constitutional framework. Three political parties are
represented in parliament of the fifth convocation, and they compete
with one another. In addition, there are out of parliament political
groups. A number of laws, including the law on political parties,
freedom of conscience and religion, law on mass media, freedom of
information and many others were adopted to protect human rights. The
institute of the ombudsman has been established. The death penalty was
abolished. Nagorno Karabakh's Army is under strict civilian control.
Our legislation completely corresponds to modern standards. We
regularly hold presidential, parliamentary and local administration
elections. We value those democratic norms because they comply with
our vision, and the traditions of our people.
These successes also help in keeping the balance of forces in the
Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict zone; to maintain peace in the whole
region. I know that peace and stability in the Southern Caucasus
region is in the interests of the United Sates. In this regard,
we are your committed and proven partner.
We understand the international interest towards a country with
energy reserves. But this not a one way street, and as much as energy
importers are interested in abundant and reasonably priced supplies,
the producers are interested in markets where they can sell to.
There is another ethical aspect, just like "blood diamonds" sometimes
encourage warfare, the inflow of cash - including American cash -
into Azerbaijan is what has made its leadership so intransigent
and revanchist. By contrast, every dollar invested or donated to
Artsakh strengthens today's tenuous peace and helps all parties
retain a reasonable prospect for resolution that renewed warfare
would postpone indefinitely.
Dear Friends,
Twenty years is enough time to ascertain the righteousness of our
path. Twenty years is the age of a new generation, which was born and
grew up in the independent Nagorno Karabakh Republic, and appreciates
the value of freedom not merely as an abstract term but as something
they experience and live. Twenty years is also a period when the
devotion and friendship towards Artsakh have been tested.
If a concept for problem's settlement is based on the idea that
"the general freedom is the freedom of each and every person", and
"a person's wellbeing is everyone's wellbeing", then, be assured,
my country deserves respect and universal recognition. This is
the important message that I am delegated to deliver on behalf of
my people.
I am honored to speak once again on the Capitol Hill and share my
country's holiday with you. This holiday is yours as well; this
holiday belongs to all who remain committed to freedom and other
universal values. Our people feel and appreciate your support, and
we will be glad to welcome all of you in Artsakh one day.
In a few days we mark another jubilee - the 20th anniversary of the
Republic of Armenia, the main guarantor of Artsakh's freedom and
security and the homeland of all Armenians.
Finally, my best wishes to the United States, as it continues in its
mission for the sake of the international peace, freedom and wellbeing.
From: A. Papazian
by Emil Sanamyan
http://www.reporter.am/index.cfm?objectid=20385B12-E3A8-11E0-AE450003FF3452C2
Tuesday September 20, 2011
Ghulian addresses the congressional event, as Pallone looks on. NKR
Office
Washington - Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulian addressed a congressional
celebration marking the 20th anniversary of Artsakh's independence,
noting the unrecognized republic's accomplishments and challenges.
"Since the beginning of the Karabakh Freedom Movement in 1988, on
the day when we declared our independence on September 2, 1991 and
today our main goal remains unchanged: to live without coercion; not
to oppress, and not to be oppressed," Ghulian stressed in his remarks.
While expressing Nagorno Karabakh Republic's aspiration for a peaceful
settlement of the conflict with Azerbaijan, Ghulian noted the hardened
attitudes in that country fueled by oil and gas revenues and argued
that in absence of alternatives, the current cease-fire provided a
basic foundation for future peace.
Karabakh Speaker also argued that "just like "blood diamonds" sometimes
encourage warfare, the inflow of cash - including American cash -
into Azerbaijan is what has made its leadership so intransigent
and revanchist.
"By contrast, every dollar invested or donated to Artsakh strengthens
today's tenuous peace and helps all parties retain a reasonable
prospect for resolution that renewed warfare would postpone
indefinitely," Ghulian added.
The event was organized by co-chairs of the Armenian Congressional
Caucus Reps. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and
attended by Reps. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.),
Robert Dold (R-Ill.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.)
and Jackie Speier (D-Calif.). Congressional speakers noted their
continued support for NKR, its recognition and U.S. aid.
According to media reports, Azerbaijan's foreign ministry downplayed
the importance of the event whereas and Azerbaijan's Embassy in U.S.
attempted to thwart the event sending a five-page letter to all
members of Congress calling on them not to attend it. A Baku news
agency claimed that Washington area Azerbaijani students staged a
protest outside the event venue, but no such protest could be observed
throughout the two and a half session.
Accompanied on his Washington visit by fellow member of NKR's National
Assembly Zoya Lazarian, Ghoulian also met with Rep. Howard Berman
(D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, other
members of Congress, Washington-based experts and Armenian American
groups.
English translation of Ghulian's remarks as delivered at the Capitol
Hill event on September 13 and provided by NKR Office in Washington:
Srbazan Hayr,
Honorable Members of Congress,
Ambassador Markaryan,
Dear compatriots, ladies and gentlemen:
It is an honor to celebrate my people's main holiday - our Independence
Day, the 20th anniversary of Nagorno Karabakh Republic - here, in
the US Congress, with such a distinguished audience.
I want to express gratitude to the organizers of this event -
members of the Armenian Caucus, especially the Caucus Co-Chairs -
Representatives Frank Pallone and Ed Royce, as well as the Armenian
Embassy, personally Ambassador Margaryan, Office of Artsakh in the
USA and all the Armenian-American organizations who facilitated
this reception.
When Americans declared independence in 1776, my country was not
yet free. But this was a dream Armenians shared already at the time,
as in 1773 the first Armenian constitutional project was published
by Hakob Shanamirian in Madras, India.
We continued to cherish those ideas when the Soviet Union declared
the policy of reform and the perestroyka, which were welcomed by the
United States Government and the whole American people.
Since the beginning of the Karabakh Freedom Movement in 1988, on
the day when we declared our independence on September 2, 1991 and
today our main goal remains unchanged: to live without coercion;
not to oppress, and not to be oppressed. We find any expression of
violence abhorrent.
All of us remember the tragedy, which happened to the American nation
ten years ago. On behalf of the Artsakh people, I want to express our
condolences and support to the United States in its struggle against
the global terrorism.
In the dark days of war in Karabakh, we also had to resist aggressors
who espoused similar radical and terrorist ideology.
Today, the United States is making tireless efforts to find a positive
and peaceful negotiated solution to the Nagorno Karabakh problem,
which will be fair and acceptable for the conflicting sides. We
appreciate the mediating efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group, and give a
special significance to the personal involvement of Presidents Obama,
Sarkozy and Medvedev.
In modern world, problems can only be solved through patient
negotiations. Only through this path, issues previously considered
unsolvable can and have been resolved.
But first bloodshed must stop and new bloodletting prevented. In this
regard, it is crucial to continue maintaining the May 1994 ceasefire
agreement, despite Azerbaijan's continuing military provocations.
Dear Friends,
We are sincere in our aspiration for peace and cooperation. We have
repeatedly expressed our readiness to meet Azerbaijan half way.
Unfortunately, we have not seen similar readiness by Azerbaijan,
and we do not see it today.
We realize that the status quo is not what we had hoped for when we
embarked on our struggle. Yet, particularly considering Azerbaijan's
openly and repeatedly stated threat of military action, the current
situation with all its components represents the system of our
security. Any changes to this arrangement without real guarantees and
real definition of what peace and our sovereignty will look like are
unacceptable for us.
Our country and our society are open to the world. We have offered
cooperation to various international structures. And we hope and expect
that, from now on, any report on Karabakh will based on reality,
and not on conclusions by "experts" without first-hand knowledge of
our country. I am not trying to idealize, we are not perfect, but for
the past twenty years, our republic has made significant progress in
all directions of development.
Today, Artsakh is an independent, sovereign, democratic and social
country. Our state governance system is fully functioning, and
operates within a constitutional framework. Three political parties are
represented in parliament of the fifth convocation, and they compete
with one another. In addition, there are out of parliament political
groups. A number of laws, including the law on political parties,
freedom of conscience and religion, law on mass media, freedom of
information and many others were adopted to protect human rights. The
institute of the ombudsman has been established. The death penalty was
abolished. Nagorno Karabakh's Army is under strict civilian control.
Our legislation completely corresponds to modern standards. We
regularly hold presidential, parliamentary and local administration
elections. We value those democratic norms because they comply with
our vision, and the traditions of our people.
These successes also help in keeping the balance of forces in the
Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict zone; to maintain peace in the whole
region. I know that peace and stability in the Southern Caucasus
region is in the interests of the United Sates. In this regard,
we are your committed and proven partner.
We understand the international interest towards a country with
energy reserves. But this not a one way street, and as much as energy
importers are interested in abundant and reasonably priced supplies,
the producers are interested in markets where they can sell to.
There is another ethical aspect, just like "blood diamonds" sometimes
encourage warfare, the inflow of cash - including American cash -
into Azerbaijan is what has made its leadership so intransigent
and revanchist. By contrast, every dollar invested or donated to
Artsakh strengthens today's tenuous peace and helps all parties
retain a reasonable prospect for resolution that renewed warfare
would postpone indefinitely.
Dear Friends,
Twenty years is enough time to ascertain the righteousness of our
path. Twenty years is the age of a new generation, which was born and
grew up in the independent Nagorno Karabakh Republic, and appreciates
the value of freedom not merely as an abstract term but as something
they experience and live. Twenty years is also a period when the
devotion and friendship towards Artsakh have been tested.
If a concept for problem's settlement is based on the idea that
"the general freedom is the freedom of each and every person", and
"a person's wellbeing is everyone's wellbeing", then, be assured,
my country deserves respect and universal recognition. This is
the important message that I am delegated to deliver on behalf of
my people.
I am honored to speak once again on the Capitol Hill and share my
country's holiday with you. This holiday is yours as well; this
holiday belongs to all who remain committed to freedom and other
universal values. Our people feel and appreciate your support, and
we will be glad to welcome all of you in Artsakh one day.
In a few days we mark another jubilee - the 20th anniversary of the
Republic of Armenia, the main guarantor of Artsakh's freedom and
security and the homeland of all Armenians.
Finally, my best wishes to the United States, as it continues in its
mission for the sake of the international peace, freedom and wellbeing.
From: A. Papazian