CONGRESSIONAL PRAISE CONTINUES FOR NAGORNO KARABAKH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
armradio.am
25.07.2012 11:28
Members of Congress, among them Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA),
the Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Brad
Sherman (D-CA), a senior member of this influential panel, and Adam
Schiff (D-CA), a leading figure on the subcommittee that writes the
foreign aid bill, continue to congratulate the citizens and leaders
of Nagorno Karabakh on the democratic conduct of their most recent
presidential elections, reported the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA).
The legislators join Reps. Ed Royce (R-CA) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ),
the Co-Chairmen of the Armenian Caucus in welcoming Nagorno Karabakh's
July 19th Presidential balloting, which resulted in the reelection of
incumbent Bako Sahakian over two challengers. Some 110 international
observers, including those from the U.S., Canada, EU, former Soviet
republics, and Armenia gave high marks to the elections.
In a statement issued immediately after the election, Rep. Berman
said: "I commend the people of Nagorno Karabakh for continuing to
organize their governance on a democratic basis. I also congratulate
President Sahakian on his success in the July 19 election. I wish
him good luck in leading Nagorno-Karabakh toward a final settlement
of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, one that fully respects the right of
Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination."
Congressman Sherman, who led the initial charge back in the mid-1990s
for direct U.S. aid to Nagorno Karabakh, said: "I congratulate
President Bako Sahakyan of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
on his reelection. Since independence, Artsakh has developed a
democracy and a vibrant civil society despite remarkably difficult
challenges. I also congratulate the people of Artsakh on their record
of democratization. I will continue to work in the House Foreign
Affairs Committee to make sure our foreign policy is supportive of
the independence and prosperity of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic."
Rep. Schiff issued a statement congratulating the citizens of Nagorno
Karabakh on the conduct of free and fair elections: "Last Thursday,
the people of Artsakh went to their polls to elect a new president in
what has been widely reported as a free and fair election. I offer
my congratulations to President Bako Sahakian, and wish him well
as Nagorno-Karabakh Republic continues its hard-won progress." He
added that, "By their continuing devotion to freedom and democracy,
despite two decades of violence and threats from its larger, richer
and undemocratic neighbor, the people of Artsakh have reminded the
world of their commitment to representative government. Their cause
is our cause, and they will continue to have my strongest support."
"I couldn't be prouder of the highly successful free and fair
presidential election in Nagorno Karabakh," said Rep. Anna Eshoo
(D-CA), along with Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), are the two Members
of Congress of Armenian heritage. "Despite decades of violence and
threats from overpowering, undemocratic neighbors, the people of
Artsakh have maintained an unwavering commitment to freedom and
democracy, and they will always have my support."
Rep. Speier concurred, noting "Democracy lives in Nagorno Karabakh!
The fifth free and fair presidential election in the Republic is a
true testament to the commitment and independence of its people and
proof that Democracy can bloom in an area of the world where there
is little."
Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI), whose home state of Rhode
Island has recognized the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, stated: "I
congratulate the Nagorno Karabakh Republic on holding another free
and fair presidential election - showcasing democracy in action for
the rest of the world. In addition, I would like to recognize the
invaluable contributions of former Rhode Island Attorney General
Patrick Lynch, who assisted as an international observer."
Rep. Jim Costa, who represents much of California's Central Valley,
said: "The United States stands with the people of Nagorno Karabakh
because our citizens share so many of the same foundational ideals,
including a commitment to the values of freedom, human rights,
self-determination and democracy. With these most recent elections,
the people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic have truly lived up to
the promise of democracy,"
As reported earlier, Rep. Pallone welcomed Artsakh's elections by
noting, "It is heartening to see [Nagorno Karabakh's] continued
dedication to peaceful democracy," adding that, "I am pleased the
Republic continues to hold regular parliamentary and presidential
elections that have previously been viewed as free and fair by
international observers." Rep. Royce stressed that: "These elections
represent the strength of the democratic process in the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic and are a testament to the commitment of the people
in Artsakh to the Republic's sovereignty."
armradio.am
25.07.2012 11:28
Members of Congress, among them Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA),
the Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Brad
Sherman (D-CA), a senior member of this influential panel, and Adam
Schiff (D-CA), a leading figure on the subcommittee that writes the
foreign aid bill, continue to congratulate the citizens and leaders
of Nagorno Karabakh on the democratic conduct of their most recent
presidential elections, reported the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA).
The legislators join Reps. Ed Royce (R-CA) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ),
the Co-Chairmen of the Armenian Caucus in welcoming Nagorno Karabakh's
July 19th Presidential balloting, which resulted in the reelection of
incumbent Bako Sahakian over two challengers. Some 110 international
observers, including those from the U.S., Canada, EU, former Soviet
republics, and Armenia gave high marks to the elections.
In a statement issued immediately after the election, Rep. Berman
said: "I commend the people of Nagorno Karabakh for continuing to
organize their governance on a democratic basis. I also congratulate
President Sahakian on his success in the July 19 election. I wish
him good luck in leading Nagorno-Karabakh toward a final settlement
of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, one that fully respects the right of
Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination."
Congressman Sherman, who led the initial charge back in the mid-1990s
for direct U.S. aid to Nagorno Karabakh, said: "I congratulate
President Bako Sahakyan of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
on his reelection. Since independence, Artsakh has developed a
democracy and a vibrant civil society despite remarkably difficult
challenges. I also congratulate the people of Artsakh on their record
of democratization. I will continue to work in the House Foreign
Affairs Committee to make sure our foreign policy is supportive of
the independence and prosperity of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic."
Rep. Schiff issued a statement congratulating the citizens of Nagorno
Karabakh on the conduct of free and fair elections: "Last Thursday,
the people of Artsakh went to their polls to elect a new president in
what has been widely reported as a free and fair election. I offer
my congratulations to President Bako Sahakian, and wish him well
as Nagorno-Karabakh Republic continues its hard-won progress." He
added that, "By their continuing devotion to freedom and democracy,
despite two decades of violence and threats from its larger, richer
and undemocratic neighbor, the people of Artsakh have reminded the
world of their commitment to representative government. Their cause
is our cause, and they will continue to have my strongest support."
"I couldn't be prouder of the highly successful free and fair
presidential election in Nagorno Karabakh," said Rep. Anna Eshoo
(D-CA), along with Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), are the two Members
of Congress of Armenian heritage. "Despite decades of violence and
threats from overpowering, undemocratic neighbors, the people of
Artsakh have maintained an unwavering commitment to freedom and
democracy, and they will always have my support."
Rep. Speier concurred, noting "Democracy lives in Nagorno Karabakh!
The fifth free and fair presidential election in the Republic is a
true testament to the commitment and independence of its people and
proof that Democracy can bloom in an area of the world where there
is little."
Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI), whose home state of Rhode
Island has recognized the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, stated: "I
congratulate the Nagorno Karabakh Republic on holding another free
and fair presidential election - showcasing democracy in action for
the rest of the world. In addition, I would like to recognize the
invaluable contributions of former Rhode Island Attorney General
Patrick Lynch, who assisted as an international observer."
Rep. Jim Costa, who represents much of California's Central Valley,
said: "The United States stands with the people of Nagorno Karabakh
because our citizens share so many of the same foundational ideals,
including a commitment to the values of freedom, human rights,
self-determination and democracy. With these most recent elections,
the people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic have truly lived up to
the promise of democracy,"
As reported earlier, Rep. Pallone welcomed Artsakh's elections by
noting, "It is heartening to see [Nagorno Karabakh's] continued
dedication to peaceful democracy," adding that, "I am pleased the
Republic continues to hold regular parliamentary and presidential
elections that have previously been viewed as free and fair by
international observers." Rep. Royce stressed that: "These elections
represent the strength of the democratic process in the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic and are a testament to the commitment of the people
in Artsakh to the Republic's sovereignty."