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MEMBERS OF CONGRESS CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY OF ARTSAKH INDEPENDENCE
http://www.armradio.am/en/2012/12/06/members-of-congress-celebrate-anniversary-of-artsakh-independence/
17:18 06.12.2012
On Dec. 5,U.S.legislators joined on Capitol Hill with the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic's Foreign Minister, Karen Mirzoyan, in a spirited,
standing-room-only celebration of Artsakh's independence and democratic
development, the Armenian Weekly reports.
"We were pleased to join this evening with so many friends of
freedom-in Congress, among our coalition partners, and from our
community - who know that the blessings of liberty belong to the free
people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and to all nations," said
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We look forward to building
on the enthusiasm of this evening's Capitol Hill celebration, and
to expanding upon the unprecedented bipartisan support for Artsakh's
security and continued economic and democratic development."
The program, held in the historic Russell Senate Office Building,
was hosted by the Armenian Caucus, which is co-chaired by Congressman
Ed Royce (R-Calif.), the incoming Chairman of the influential Foreign
Affairs Committee, and Congressman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.).
Representative Pallone served as the evening's master of ceremonies.
Among the legislators offering powerful statements at the event in
support for Nagorno Karabakh were Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and
Representatives Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), David Cicilline (D-R.I.),
and Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), the incoming Ranking Member of the Foreign
Affairs Committee.
Representatives Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) and Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.)
participated in the program, meeting with Minister Mirzayan and joining
in the celebration of Artsakh's independence. Senator Robert Menendez
(D-N.J.) and Representative Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) shared powerful
statements of support for Nagorno Karabakh.
A central theme throughout the evening was the broad-based condemnation
of the Azerbaijani government's praise, pardon, and promotion of
convicted axe-murderer Ramil Safarov as an action that was manifestly
unjust, incited anti-Armenian hatred, and moved the region closer
to conflict and renewed Azerbaijani aggression. Members of Congress
cited Karabakh's democratic and economic progress, even in the face of
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's continuing belligerence, noting
the overwhelmingly positive assessment of the July 2012 presidential
elections. Legislators also discussed the need for continuedU.S.support
for Karabakh's self-determination, through, among other things,
expanded humanitarian and developmental assistance to Artsakh.
Poignant remarks were offered by Mrs. Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte,
author of "Nowhere: A Story of Exile," who detailed the Azerbaijani
pogroms against her and other Armenians inBaku-which led to the
forced exodus of that centuries old population. Turcotte cited the
anti-Armenian massacres that began in 1988 and the ongoing intolerance
faced by the few Armenians left inAzerbaijanas among the most powerful
reasons to continue the fight for justice and self-determination for
the people of Artsakh.
A highlight of the evening was the ceremony, conducted by the
Ambassador of Armenia, bestowing theRepublicofArmenia's "Mkhitar Gosh"
award upon Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Congressman Brad
Sherman (D-Calif.). Both offered moving words of appreciation and
reaffirmed their support for the democratic aspirations of the people
ofArmeniaand Artsakh. In addition to the "Mkhitar Gosh" Award, Nagorno
Karabakh Republic Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan offered both Rep.
Eshoo and Rep. Sherman a medal in honor of Artsakh's independence.
After a strong and far-reaching pro-Artsakh statement by Armenia's
Ambassador Tatoul Markarian, and warm words of introduction by Nagorno
Karabakh Representative Robert Avetisyan, the key note address of the
program was offered by Minister Mirzoyan, who, in a moving speech,
voiced his appreciation to the U.S. Congress for its ongoing support
for the developing nation, and underscored both his government's and
his people's commitment to democracy and freedom.
Also offering comments on the challenges facing Artsakh and the
region was the highly-regarded former U.S. Ambassador toArmenia,
John Marshall Evans.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2012/12/06/members-of-congress-celebrate-anniversary-of-artsakh-independence/
17:18 06.12.2012
On Dec. 5,U.S.legislators joined on Capitol Hill with the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic's Foreign Minister, Karen Mirzoyan, in a spirited,
standing-room-only celebration of Artsakh's independence and democratic
development, the Armenian Weekly reports.
"We were pleased to join this evening with so many friends of
freedom-in Congress, among our coalition partners, and from our
community - who know that the blessings of liberty belong to the free
people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and to all nations," said
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We look forward to building
on the enthusiasm of this evening's Capitol Hill celebration, and
to expanding upon the unprecedented bipartisan support for Artsakh's
security and continued economic and democratic development."
The program, held in the historic Russell Senate Office Building,
was hosted by the Armenian Caucus, which is co-chaired by Congressman
Ed Royce (R-Calif.), the incoming Chairman of the influential Foreign
Affairs Committee, and Congressman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.).
Representative Pallone served as the evening's master of ceremonies.
Among the legislators offering powerful statements at the event in
support for Nagorno Karabakh were Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and
Representatives Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), David Cicilline (D-R.I.),
and Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), the incoming Ranking Member of the Foreign
Affairs Committee.
Representatives Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) and Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.)
participated in the program, meeting with Minister Mirzayan and joining
in the celebration of Artsakh's independence. Senator Robert Menendez
(D-N.J.) and Representative Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) shared powerful
statements of support for Nagorno Karabakh.
A central theme throughout the evening was the broad-based condemnation
of the Azerbaijani government's praise, pardon, and promotion of
convicted axe-murderer Ramil Safarov as an action that was manifestly
unjust, incited anti-Armenian hatred, and moved the region closer
to conflict and renewed Azerbaijani aggression. Members of Congress
cited Karabakh's democratic and economic progress, even in the face of
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's continuing belligerence, noting
the overwhelmingly positive assessment of the July 2012 presidential
elections. Legislators also discussed the need for continuedU.S.support
for Karabakh's self-determination, through, among other things,
expanded humanitarian and developmental assistance to Artsakh.
Poignant remarks were offered by Mrs. Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte,
author of "Nowhere: A Story of Exile," who detailed the Azerbaijani
pogroms against her and other Armenians inBaku-which led to the
forced exodus of that centuries old population. Turcotte cited the
anti-Armenian massacres that began in 1988 and the ongoing intolerance
faced by the few Armenians left inAzerbaijanas among the most powerful
reasons to continue the fight for justice and self-determination for
the people of Artsakh.
A highlight of the evening was the ceremony, conducted by the
Ambassador of Armenia, bestowing theRepublicofArmenia's "Mkhitar Gosh"
award upon Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Congressman Brad
Sherman (D-Calif.). Both offered moving words of appreciation and
reaffirmed their support for the democratic aspirations of the people
ofArmeniaand Artsakh. In addition to the "Mkhitar Gosh" Award, Nagorno
Karabakh Republic Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan offered both Rep.
Eshoo and Rep. Sherman a medal in honor of Artsakh's independence.
After a strong and far-reaching pro-Artsakh statement by Armenia's
Ambassador Tatoul Markarian, and warm words of introduction by Nagorno
Karabakh Representative Robert Avetisyan, the key note address of the
program was offered by Minister Mirzoyan, who, in a moving speech,
voiced his appreciation to the U.S. Congress for its ongoing support
for the developing nation, and underscored both his government's and
his people's commitment to democracy and freedom.
Also offering comments on the challenges facing Artsakh and the
region was the highly-regarded former U.S. Ambassador toArmenia,
John Marshall Evans.