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ARTSAKH REPRESENTATIVE SPEAKS IN FRESNO
[Avetisyan-Fresno-2013-016-by-Raffi-Mouradian.jpg]
Robert Avetisyan addresses the crowd in Fresno (photo by Raffi
Mouradian)
BY SEVAG TATEOSIAN
FRESNO-Members of Fresno's Armenian community were joined by
representatives of the offices of U.S. Congressmen Jim Costa and
Devin Nunez to hear Robert Avetisyan, Representative of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic to the U.S. speak at California State
University, Fresno.
Weeks prior to the lecture, which was sponsored by the Fresno State
Armenian Studies Program and the Armenian National Committee of
America-Central California as well as the Armenian Students
Organization, emails and letters to the editor sparked the interest
of the community to hear Avetisyan.
The local newspaper, The Fresno Bee also published an op-ed written
by him to give background of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh (known
as Artsakh by Armenians).
At the onset of the lecture Paul Jamushian, member of the Armenian
National Committee of America-Central California said, "I ask for
two things from you, one to listen and learn more about Karabakh and
ask questions...secondly, please tell your friends about Karabakh ."
The audience did exactly that, asking numerous questions immediately
following the lecture. The scope of questions ranged from more
details of the mountainous territory to ways the Diaspora can help
develop the small republic.
[Avetisyan-Fresno-2013-002-by-Raffi-Mouradian.jpg]
On his first visit to Fresno, Robert Avetisyan paid homage to William
Saroyan (photo by Raffi Mouradian)
"The Karabakh liberation movement began on February 20th 1988 when
the Nagorno-Karabakh Council of Deputies applied to the Supreme
Councils of Soviet Armenia and Azerbaijan for a decision on
reunification of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia," said Barlow Der
Mugrdechian, Coordinator of the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno
State as he invited Avetisyan to the podium.
It was Avetisyan's first trip to Fresno, which he noted shared the
same weather as his homeland. The time prior to the lecture was spent
visiting Armenian monuments in Fresno, including the William Saroyan
bust and the David of Sassoun statue.
"Karabakh is interested in having global awareness about us because
we are sure that our cause is right, we have a very strong legal,
historical and moral basis for claiming the right to live in freedom
and dignity," stated the Representative, who immediately got the
attention of the audience with his comments.
The current situation of Nagorno-Karabakh started in 1921, when
former dictator Joseph Stalin carved out the republic from Armenia
and placed it under the administration of the newly created Soviet
Azerbaijan Republic. This was the only time in history that
Nagorno-Karabakh was under the territory of Soviet Azerbaijan as part
of the Soviet Union.
[562083_286668154796820_1239509004_n.jpg]
Melissa Mata presents a plaque to Robert Avetisyan, with the
statement read into the Congressional Record by Congressman Costa on
the 25th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic.
This wrongful placement was never accepted by the citizens of
Nagorno-Karabakh, 97% of whom were Armenians at the time of the
distribution. For decades, Soviet Azerbaijan did whatever it could to
change the demographic situation. In 1989, because of systemic
population increases by the Azerbaijan, the Azeri population in the
region was up from 3% to 21%. The apparent intention of Azerbaijan
was to eliminate anything resembling an Armenian existence - a
policy that had been successfully implemented by Azeris in
Nakhijevan, where, for instance, thousands of ancient Armenian
monuments and cemeteries were destroyed and replaced by military
training sites.
On many occasions, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh raised their
voices, requesting restoration of justice but the Soviet authorities
declined their requests. The most recent attempt took place in 1988,
when new Soviet leader Gorbachev pledged more democracy. Soviet
Azerbaijan reacted negatively to this movement for freedom. Hundreds
of Armenians were subjected to torture and murdered simply for being
Armenian. Organized mobs armed with knives and sharpened rods
attacked apartments that belonged to Armenian families and conducted
targeted atrocities with the full support of law-enforcement
authorities in the large industrial city of Sumgait, hundreds of
miles away from Nagorno-Karabakh.
In 1991, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh acted under existing laws and
declared the formation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Their goal
was to be a sovereign nation. "Azerbaijan replied with full scale
military aggression, which was predictable," said Avetisyan of the
move for freedom. Despite being outnumbered by soldiers and rough
terrain, the Nagorno-Karabakh military was able to force a
cease-fire, signed by Azerbaijan, Armenia and themselves. The war
left the social and economic infrastructure of the Republic in ruin.
Today, much has been done to rebuild what was destroyed by the
Azerbaijani military.
"We found that Karabakh is rich in gold, in coal and in copper and
mining companies are the #1 tax payers," said Avetisyan referring to
revenue streams of the economy. "We are doing everything to minimize
the impact on the environment," he continued. These taxes and
natural resources are helping build the economy and people are
noticing. For the seventh consecutive year, the population has seen
an increase.
Tourism is also on the rise. Last year 16,000 tourists visited the
Republic. Knar Kahkejian, an Armenian born in Pasadena, CA has
visited Nagorno-Karabakh and actually lived there for 2-weeks
volunteering her time. Of the experience, she said, "I gained
insight on what Artsakh (Armenian name for Nagorno-Karabakh) was all
about and what it could offer the Diaspora and myself. There was so
much I learned about the region and its history, just by sitting and
conversing with Dadik who lived next door." At the end of the
lecture, she asked one of the countless questions to Representative
Avetisyan. Like many, she was impressed by the turn out. "It proved
to me that the people of Fresno are in fact interested in the welfare
of Artsakh and what is currently occurring in the region."
Today, although a peace treaty is still in effect, threats continue
from Azerbaijan to resort to military action to take back the
Republic. "The biggest challenge facing Karabakh is Azerbaijan's
aggressive stance," said Avetisyan. "Every day from various media
sources, Azerbaijan states that they are going to sell more oil and
buy more arms," he continued.
The Representative is correct in his assertion. On March 11, 2013
News.Az reported that Azerbaijan was the main consumer of Belarusian
military technology, purchasing $167 million worth.
"They think they can scare us or force us to leave...it is not
working," said Avetisyan. "We are trying to get in touch with them
and free their society from this poison," he continued. Poison it
is. Two recent examples show just how much hatred Azerbaijan's
government has against Armenia and Armenians.
Last year convicted murderer Ramil Safarov, who was found guilty of
murdering Armenian serviceman Lt. Gurgen Markarian, was pardoned by
Azerbaijan who proclaimed him as a hero, giving him countless
benefits and back pay. Another example is of writer Akram Aylisli, a
respected Azerbaijani author who was stripped of his state honors and
pension for saying Azerbaijan needs to apologize to the Armenians. A
$12,500 reward was offered for anyone who would cut the author's ear
off.
Despite this unpredictable neighbor, things are looking more positive
in Nagorno- Karabakh. Watchdog organization Freedom House rated it as
a "partly free" nation, which is much better than other regional
countries. "Today we have a viable state...the population is
growing," said Avetisyan. "We still invite the international
community to share and teach us how to do things better," he
continued.
http://asbarez.com/109029/artsakh-representative-speaks-in-fresno/
[Avetisyan-Fresno-2013-016-by-Raffi-Mouradian.jpg]
Robert Avetisyan addresses the crowd in Fresno (photo by Raffi
Mouradian)
BY SEVAG TATEOSIAN
FRESNO-Members of Fresno's Armenian community were joined by
representatives of the offices of U.S. Congressmen Jim Costa and
Devin Nunez to hear Robert Avetisyan, Representative of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic to the U.S. speak at California State
University, Fresno.
Weeks prior to the lecture, which was sponsored by the Fresno State
Armenian Studies Program and the Armenian National Committee of
America-Central California as well as the Armenian Students
Organization, emails and letters to the editor sparked the interest
of the community to hear Avetisyan.
The local newspaper, The Fresno Bee also published an op-ed written
by him to give background of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh (known
as Artsakh by Armenians).
At the onset of the lecture Paul Jamushian, member of the Armenian
National Committee of America-Central California said, "I ask for
two things from you, one to listen and learn more about Karabakh and
ask questions...secondly, please tell your friends about Karabakh ."
The audience did exactly that, asking numerous questions immediately
following the lecture. The scope of questions ranged from more
details of the mountainous territory to ways the Diaspora can help
develop the small republic.
[Avetisyan-Fresno-2013-002-by-Raffi-Mouradian.jpg]
On his first visit to Fresno, Robert Avetisyan paid homage to William
Saroyan (photo by Raffi Mouradian)
"The Karabakh liberation movement began on February 20th 1988 when
the Nagorno-Karabakh Council of Deputies applied to the Supreme
Councils of Soviet Armenia and Azerbaijan for a decision on
reunification of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia," said Barlow Der
Mugrdechian, Coordinator of the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno
State as he invited Avetisyan to the podium.
It was Avetisyan's first trip to Fresno, which he noted shared the
same weather as his homeland. The time prior to the lecture was spent
visiting Armenian monuments in Fresno, including the William Saroyan
bust and the David of Sassoun statue.
"Karabakh is interested in having global awareness about us because
we are sure that our cause is right, we have a very strong legal,
historical and moral basis for claiming the right to live in freedom
and dignity," stated the Representative, who immediately got the
attention of the audience with his comments.
The current situation of Nagorno-Karabakh started in 1921, when
former dictator Joseph Stalin carved out the republic from Armenia
and placed it under the administration of the newly created Soviet
Azerbaijan Republic. This was the only time in history that
Nagorno-Karabakh was under the territory of Soviet Azerbaijan as part
of the Soviet Union.
[562083_286668154796820_1239509004_n.jpg]
Melissa Mata presents a plaque to Robert Avetisyan, with the
statement read into the Congressional Record by Congressman Costa on
the 25th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic.
This wrongful placement was never accepted by the citizens of
Nagorno-Karabakh, 97% of whom were Armenians at the time of the
distribution. For decades, Soviet Azerbaijan did whatever it could to
change the demographic situation. In 1989, because of systemic
population increases by the Azerbaijan, the Azeri population in the
region was up from 3% to 21%. The apparent intention of Azerbaijan
was to eliminate anything resembling an Armenian existence - a
policy that had been successfully implemented by Azeris in
Nakhijevan, where, for instance, thousands of ancient Armenian
monuments and cemeteries were destroyed and replaced by military
training sites.
On many occasions, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh raised their
voices, requesting restoration of justice but the Soviet authorities
declined their requests. The most recent attempt took place in 1988,
when new Soviet leader Gorbachev pledged more democracy. Soviet
Azerbaijan reacted negatively to this movement for freedom. Hundreds
of Armenians were subjected to torture and murdered simply for being
Armenian. Organized mobs armed with knives and sharpened rods
attacked apartments that belonged to Armenian families and conducted
targeted atrocities with the full support of law-enforcement
authorities in the large industrial city of Sumgait, hundreds of
miles away from Nagorno-Karabakh.
In 1991, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh acted under existing laws and
declared the formation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Their goal
was to be a sovereign nation. "Azerbaijan replied with full scale
military aggression, which was predictable," said Avetisyan of the
move for freedom. Despite being outnumbered by soldiers and rough
terrain, the Nagorno-Karabakh military was able to force a
cease-fire, signed by Azerbaijan, Armenia and themselves. The war
left the social and economic infrastructure of the Republic in ruin.
Today, much has been done to rebuild what was destroyed by the
Azerbaijani military.
"We found that Karabakh is rich in gold, in coal and in copper and
mining companies are the #1 tax payers," said Avetisyan referring to
revenue streams of the economy. "We are doing everything to minimize
the impact on the environment," he continued. These taxes and
natural resources are helping build the economy and people are
noticing. For the seventh consecutive year, the population has seen
an increase.
Tourism is also on the rise. Last year 16,000 tourists visited the
Republic. Knar Kahkejian, an Armenian born in Pasadena, CA has
visited Nagorno-Karabakh and actually lived there for 2-weeks
volunteering her time. Of the experience, she said, "I gained
insight on what Artsakh (Armenian name for Nagorno-Karabakh) was all
about and what it could offer the Diaspora and myself. There was so
much I learned about the region and its history, just by sitting and
conversing with Dadik who lived next door." At the end of the
lecture, she asked one of the countless questions to Representative
Avetisyan. Like many, she was impressed by the turn out. "It proved
to me that the people of Fresno are in fact interested in the welfare
of Artsakh and what is currently occurring in the region."
Today, although a peace treaty is still in effect, threats continue
from Azerbaijan to resort to military action to take back the
Republic. "The biggest challenge facing Karabakh is Azerbaijan's
aggressive stance," said Avetisyan. "Every day from various media
sources, Azerbaijan states that they are going to sell more oil and
buy more arms," he continued.
The Representative is correct in his assertion. On March 11, 2013
News.Az reported that Azerbaijan was the main consumer of Belarusian
military technology, purchasing $167 million worth.
"They think they can scare us or force us to leave...it is not
working," said Avetisyan. "We are trying to get in touch with them
and free their society from this poison," he continued. Poison it
is. Two recent examples show just how much hatred Azerbaijan's
government has against Armenia and Armenians.
Last year convicted murderer Ramil Safarov, who was found guilty of
murdering Armenian serviceman Lt. Gurgen Markarian, was pardoned by
Azerbaijan who proclaimed him as a hero, giving him countless
benefits and back pay. Another example is of writer Akram Aylisli, a
respected Azerbaijani author who was stripped of his state honors and
pension for saying Azerbaijan needs to apologize to the Armenians. A
$12,500 reward was offered for anyone who would cut the author's ear
off.
Despite this unpredictable neighbor, things are looking more positive
in Nagorno- Karabakh. Watchdog organization Freedom House rated it as
a "partly free" nation, which is much better than other regional
countries. "Today we have a viable state...the population is
growing," said Avetisyan. "We still invite the international
community to share and teach us how to do things better," he
continued.
http://asbarez.com/109029/artsakh-representative-speaks-in-fresno/