BREAKING NEWS: Massachusetts Legislature Supports Artsakh Independence

BOSTON, Mass.—On Aug. 6, the House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts adopted a resolution submitted by State Representative Jonathan Hecht urging “the president and Congress of the USA to support the self-determination and democratic independence of Nagorno-Karabagh,” the office of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic (NKR) in the U.S. reported.

The Massachusetts State House in Boston.

In an interview with Armenian Weekly editor Khatchig Mouradian, NKR representative Robert Avetisyan welcomed the adoption of the resolution. “We are confident that the democratic development of Artsakh [Karabagh] will not go unnoticed,” he said, underlining the fact that support for “the status of Artsakh as a sovereign and independent nation” continues growing worldwide.

“I wish to thank the Massachusetts legislature for recognizing the recent democratic presidential elections in Nagorno-Karabagh and the right to self-determination of the Armenians there,” said ANCA Eastern Region chair George Aghjayan. For far too long, the plight of the people of Nagorno-Karabagh under the violent aggression from Azerbaijan has been ignored.”

“America’s interests are best served by recognizing democracy in Nagorno-Karabagh and condemning the terrorism of Azerbaijan. Massachusetts was at the forefront of recognizing Nagorno-Karabagh’s independence 20 years ago and reaffirms that again today.”

Aghjayan noted that “the Massachusetts House of Representatives properly understands a simple truth that the State Department has yet to grasp, namely that our federal government’s present policy toward Nagorno-Karabagh, were it in force back in 1776, would have, in the name of territorial integrity, pressed the 13 American colonies to remain part of the British Empire.”

The resolution condemns the killings of Armenians in Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Baku and acts of violent repression by Azerbaijan against the peaceful demonstrations for self-determination in Nagorno-Karabagh. The document notes that today, the “Nagorno-Karabakh’s security continues to be threatened by Azerbaijan’s hostile acts.” It also notes that despite these continuous acts of violence, the people of Nagorno-Karabagh in a popular referendum on Dec. 10, 1991 voted in support of independence, freedom, and democracy.

The resolution congratulates “Nagorno-Karabagh on the success of its ongoing efforts to develop democracy” and commends the July 19, 2012 presidential elections as “another major step” in this regard.

“We are grateful to Rep. Hecht for his crucial leadership in this issue. We also praise our compatriots and longtime supporters James Kalustian and Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian for their great dedication and continued efforts in promoting Artsakh’s interests in the United States,” Avetisyan was quoted as saying in a statement released by the NKR office.

A few months ago, on May 17, the Rhode Island House passed a similar resolution calling on the U.S. president and Congress to recognize the independence of the Nagorno Karabagh 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.”

10 Comments

  1. Congratulations MA! Nice work by the family of Armenian organizations and the Armenian community in MA to make this happen…great team work!

    • ABSOLUTELY.. Very very proud of MA.. hope that the rest of the states follow suit…

      Astvats mer heta…

  2. Congratulations MA! Great effort put forward by the family of Armenian organizations and the Armenian community of MA….great team work!

    • john, when the State Department employees cease to be members of the Council of Foreign Relations and the Trilateral Commission

  3. To give Artsakh it’s independence it’s the only way we can put this to rest, Azerbaidjan is constantly harasing the borders and will not stop until they know there is no more room to push this issue. An independent state is the only way! It worked for Kosovo and they have peace now. Thanks to the House of Mass. and Rhode Island for their support.

    • Make no mistake – Artsakh IS independent!! This is merely about recognition of independence. Nobody can “give” Artsakh independence except it’s own people who expressed their will to be free from the Turkic yoke more then 20 years ago and and TOOK their freedom by defending their rights and liberties against the brutal Azeri Turk aggression.

      Recognition of Arstakh’s independence by MA or Martians will not guarantee Artsakh’s safety – only Artsakh and Armenian armies can do that.

      By not recognizing ALREADY EXISTING INDEPENDENT ARTSAKH all other countries are just proving once again their shameful position of serving short term interests of International Corporations who rule most of the world.

  4. May God bless our brave brothers and sisters in Artsakh. They are so deserving of this recognition for the courage and commitment to democracy that they have displayed. They are a shining example of what Armenians can do with freedom.

  5. We thank the Massachusetts House of Representatives on a Resolution submitted by State Rep. Jonathan Hecht urging Pres. Obama & Congress to support self determination & Independence for the State of Artsakh, also previously called Nagorno Karabagh. We hope the President & the Congress will review and finally pass legislation on this long overdue Independence for the people of Artsakh.

  6. At first I was worried sick that this was a trick by Azerbaijan to goad, torment and humiliate Armenia into starting a war with them. Then Azerbaijan would use this as an excuse to try to destroy Armenia.

    For years now, Azerbaijan has been very seriously violating the northeastern border of Armenia and NK. Well trained Azeri snipers have killed many Armenian’s hoping to frighten them to abandon their villages. Schools, homes and hospitals have been destroyed. This is well documented.

    Thank God for the intelligence, fortitude and bravery of our State Representative Jonathan Hecht who submitted a resolution to our MA House of Representatives urging the President and Congress of the USA to support the independence of NK.

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