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US Rep to continue contributing to int'l recognition of NKR

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  • US Rep to continue contributing to int'l recognition of NKR

    U.S. Congressmen to continue contributing to international recognition
    of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

    arminfo
    Saturday, December 8, 14:03

    Members of the U.S. House and Senate joined with more than one hundred
    Armenian American community leaders at a December 5th Capitol Hill
    celebration of Nagorno Karabakh's independence, featuring a keynote
    address by the Foreign Minister of Nagorno Karabakh, Karen Mirzoyan.

    The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the USA reports that
    the Congressional event, held in the historic Russell building on the
    Senate side of Capitol Hill was sponsored and organized by the
    Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Rep. Ed
    Royce, the incoming Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and
    Rep. Frank Pallone, in cooperation with the Armenian Embassy, the
    Office of the Nagorno- Karabakh Republic in the United States, and
    leading Armenian American organizations. Diplomats, religious leaders,
    think tank community representatives, Congressional staff members,
    Armenian-Americans community leaders, and representatives of local and
    international media joined the legislators in participating in the
    celebration.

    The event marked the day, 21 years ago, when Artsakh held a national
    referendum on its independence that delivered an overwhelming vote
    (98.9% of eligible Artsakh voters) in support of an independent state
    that, acting on its own authority, was empowered to decide forms of
    co-operation with other states and communities. In 2006, more than a
    decade later, also in December, the citizens of Artsakh reaffirmed
    their commitment to live in a free and independent state by adopting
    Artsakh's primary law, namely the Constitution of the Nagorno Karabakh
    Republic, Artsakh, which consolidated all the basic principles of
    state sovereignty and marked a new stage in the Republic's
    development.

    Minister Mirzoyan, in his keynote address, emphasized the importance
    of both democratic votes, as well as the symbolism of their having
    taken place on or near International Human Rights Day. He stressed, in
    his remarks, that: "For us, independence is not just an ultimate goal,
    but also the means by which the Nagorno Karabakh Republic can take its
    rightful place as a responsible member of the international community;
    by which our people can best fulfill their potential, realize their
    aspirations, and enjoy all the rights and freedoms that everyone
    deserves." While talking about the Karabakh-Azerbaijani conflict,
    Minister Mirzoyan stressed Artsakh's alliance with the international
    community in seeking a peaceful resolution of the conflict. He also
    expressed confidence that "effective negotiations require the
    immediate restoration of Artsakh's full participation in all aspects
    of the negotiation process."

    Ambassador Markarian addressed the gathering and praised the Armenian
    Congressional Caucus for their unwavering support for independence,
    security and democratic development of Artsakh. He strongly condemned
    the recent hostile actions of Azerbaijan and underscored the urgency
    of support and recognition of the independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh
    Republic by the international community. As part of the evening's
    program, Ambassador Markarian presented "Mkhitar Gosh" medals to the
    Representatives Anna Eshoo and Brad Sherman. These honors, bestowed
    by the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, recognized their many
    contributions to the advancement of Armenian issues, including
    universal recognition of the Armenian Genocide. At the same time,
    during the event, Minister Mirzoyan awarded both Reps. Sherman and
    Eshoo commemorative medals dedicated to the anniversary of the
    Artsakh's independence.

    Members of Congress congratulated people of Artsakh on the occasion of
    those anniversaries and highlighted their support for the legitimacy
    of the Artsakh's independence and its many achievements since
    independence. They expressed their readiness to continue supporting
    international recognition of the Artsakh Republic and condemned the
    escalation of threats and acts of anti-Armenian hatred and violence by
    the Azerbaijani government, a troubling trend that recently culminated
    in Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's pardoning of convicted
    axe-murderer Ramil Safarov.

    In his opening remarks, Representative Pallone, who moderated the
    event, stressed that the people and leaders of Artsakh realized their
    right to self- determination and independence in full conformity with
    all existing national and international law, legal precedent, and
    democratic traditions. He called for continued American support for
    Artsakh's democracy. Joining Congressman Pallone in offering
    remarks, and making statements, were Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), and
    Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Anna Eshoo
    D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), and Eliot Engel (D-NY), the incoming
    Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, as well as Senator
    Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA).
    Reps. Jeff Denham (R-CA) and Linda Sanchez (D- CA) were also among
    those participating in the celebration.

    John Evans, the former US Ambassador to Armenia attended and addressed
    the event.

    The program was rounded out by a powerful speech by Anna
    Astvatsaturian Turcotte, an Armenian refugee from Azerbaijan, who was
    an eyewitness to anti-Armenian violence in Baku. She spoke movingly
    of those dreadful days, which reaffirmed, she explained, her resolve
    to see Artsakh live in freedom. She recently published her memoirs,
    titled "Nowhere, a Story of Exile," that tells the story of her life
    in Baku, and Azerbaijan's brutality against Armenian citizens in Baku
    and elsewhere. She called upon the global community to pay proper
    attention to the plight of Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan, and
    expressed her hope that one day Azerbaijani society would be able to
    overcome its hatred towards Armenians.

    The event was concluded by the invocation served by the Archbishop
    Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan Legate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
    America (East), as well as Reverend Fathers of both Armenian churches
    in Washington.

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