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RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY EMBRACES ARTSAKH
Armenian Weekly
May 18, 2012
NKR Representative Meets with officials, businessmen, and community
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (A.W.)-Thousands of miles away from Artsakh,
the state of Rhode Island is embracing the democratic state and
celebrating with it the 20thanniversary of the liberation of Shushi.
Avetisyan surrounded by R.I. Armenian community members holding the
Artsakh flag after the House vote. (Photo by Berge Ara Zobian) The
series of meetings, visits, and events kicked off on May 17 at the
Rhode Island State House, where Armenian Americans gathered to witness
the vote on a resolution in support of Artsakh's independence. The
House passed a resolution calling on the U.S. President and Congress
to recognize the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR).
The resolution also encouraged the republic's "continued efforts to
develop as a free and independent nation," and praised Artsakh's
"constructive involvement with the international community and
its efforts to reach a lasting solution to the existing regional
problems." (Read full text here.)
The resolution was voted on the House floor in the presence of Robert
Avetisyan, the permanent representative of NKR to the U.S. and Canada.
Prior to the vote, Avedisyan visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial
in Providence and laid wreaths in memory of the victims.
After the vote, Avetisyan headed to the Armenian Apostolic Sts.
Vartanantz Church's hall, where members of the community gathered to
meet and greet him. During the reception, Avetisyan delivered comments
and answered questions.
State House Vote Sets Example
The vote at the State House set the stage for the further integration
of the NKR into the international community. In an interview with
Armenian Weekly editor Khatchig Mouradian, Avetisyan said, "I thank
the Rhode Island House for passing this resolution in support of
Karabakh's aspirations for freedom, and hope that the legislature's
commitment to our shared values of human rights and justice will set
an example for other legislatures in the U.S. and beyond."
Avetisyan places wreaths at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in
Providence, R.I. (Photo by Berge Ara Zobian) The resolution was voted
on the House floor in the presence of Avetisyan, whom House speaker
Gordon Fox (D) warmly welcomed in his introductory remarks. Fox also
welcomed a delegation from the local Armenian community accompanying
Avetisyan: Chairman of the Armenian Cultural Association of R.I. Hagop
Donoyan, youth advisor to the AYF of R.I. Levon Attarian, member of
the board of trustees of the Sts.
Vartanantz Church Stephen Elmasian, and member of the ARF Eastern U.S.
Central Committee Ani Haroian.
RI Congressmen in Washington Support Karabakh
Within a few hours of the R.I. House vote, on Capitol Hill,
Congressmen James Langevin (D-R.I.) and Congressman David Cicilline
(D-R.I.) made statements on the House floor in support of the people
of NKR. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.),
in turn, issued statements.
"It is more important than ever that the United States maintain
a principled stand for peace in this region, show that democracy
can be born from conflict, and support Nagorno-Karabakh," said
Langevin. "It is my sincerest hope that Nagorno-Karabakh's right to
self-determination can be affirmed without further loss of life."
"20 years ago, the people of Nagorno Karabakh fought and died for their
independence from Soviet Azeri repression and discrimination," said
Cicilline. "I join the people of Nagorno Karabakh today in recognizing
the 20th anniversary of their independence and the formation of the
Republic's Army and the liberation of Shushi."
Meetings today
Representative Avetisyan continues his meetings in Rhode Island
today, pursuing economic development opportunities for NKR. His visit
concludes on May 20 with a community-wide celebration of the 20th
anniversary of the liberation of Shushi.
Details to follow.
From: Baghdasarian
Armenian Weekly
May 18, 2012
NKR Representative Meets with officials, businessmen, and community
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (A.W.)-Thousands of miles away from Artsakh,
the state of Rhode Island is embracing the democratic state and
celebrating with it the 20thanniversary of the liberation of Shushi.
Avetisyan surrounded by R.I. Armenian community members holding the
Artsakh flag after the House vote. (Photo by Berge Ara Zobian) The
series of meetings, visits, and events kicked off on May 17 at the
Rhode Island State House, where Armenian Americans gathered to witness
the vote on a resolution in support of Artsakh's independence. The
House passed a resolution calling on the U.S. President and Congress
to recognize the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR).
The resolution also encouraged the republic's "continued efforts to
develop as a free and independent nation," and praised Artsakh's
"constructive involvement with the international community and
its efforts to reach a lasting solution to the existing regional
problems." (Read full text here.)
The resolution was voted on the House floor in the presence of Robert
Avetisyan, the permanent representative of NKR to the U.S. and Canada.
Prior to the vote, Avedisyan visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial
in Providence and laid wreaths in memory of the victims.
After the vote, Avetisyan headed to the Armenian Apostolic Sts.
Vartanantz Church's hall, where members of the community gathered to
meet and greet him. During the reception, Avetisyan delivered comments
and answered questions.
State House Vote Sets Example
The vote at the State House set the stage for the further integration
of the NKR into the international community. In an interview with
Armenian Weekly editor Khatchig Mouradian, Avetisyan said, "I thank
the Rhode Island House for passing this resolution in support of
Karabakh's aspirations for freedom, and hope that the legislature's
commitment to our shared values of human rights and justice will set
an example for other legislatures in the U.S. and beyond."
Avetisyan places wreaths at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in
Providence, R.I. (Photo by Berge Ara Zobian) The resolution was voted
on the House floor in the presence of Avetisyan, whom House speaker
Gordon Fox (D) warmly welcomed in his introductory remarks. Fox also
welcomed a delegation from the local Armenian community accompanying
Avetisyan: Chairman of the Armenian Cultural Association of R.I. Hagop
Donoyan, youth advisor to the AYF of R.I. Levon Attarian, member of
the board of trustees of the Sts.
Vartanantz Church Stephen Elmasian, and member of the ARF Eastern U.S.
Central Committee Ani Haroian.
RI Congressmen in Washington Support Karabakh
Within a few hours of the R.I. House vote, on Capitol Hill,
Congressmen James Langevin (D-R.I.) and Congressman David Cicilline
(D-R.I.) made statements on the House floor in support of the people
of NKR. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.),
in turn, issued statements.
"It is more important than ever that the United States maintain
a principled stand for peace in this region, show that democracy
can be born from conflict, and support Nagorno-Karabakh," said
Langevin. "It is my sincerest hope that Nagorno-Karabakh's right to
self-determination can be affirmed without further loss of life."
"20 years ago, the people of Nagorno Karabakh fought and died for their
independence from Soviet Azeri repression and discrimination," said
Cicilline. "I join the people of Nagorno Karabakh today in recognizing
the 20th anniversary of their independence and the formation of the
Republic's Army and the liberation of Shushi."
Meetings today
Representative Avetisyan continues his meetings in Rhode Island
today, pursuing economic development opportunities for NKR. His visit
concludes on May 20 with a community-wide celebration of the 20th
anniversary of the liberation of Shushi.
Details to follow.
From: Baghdasarian