WASHINGTON— On Dec. 5, U.S. legislators joined on Capitol Hill with the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s Foreign Minister, Karen Mirzoyan, in a spirited, standing-room-only celebration of Artsakh’s independence and democratic development.
“We were pleased to join this evening with so many friends of freedom—in Congress, among our coalition partners, and from our community – who know that the blessings of liberty belong to the free people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and to all nations,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We look forward to building on the enthusiasm of this evening’s Capitol Hill celebration, and to expanding upon the unprecedented bipartisan support for Artsakh’s security and continued economic and democratic development.”
The program, held in the historic Russell Senate Office Building, was hosted by the Armenian Caucus, which is co-chaired by Congressman Ed Royce (R-Calif.), the incoming Chairman of the influential Foreign Affairs Committee, and Congressman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.). Representative Pallone served as the evening’s master of ceremonies. Among the legislators offering powerful statements at the event in support for Nagorno Karabakh were Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Representatives Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), David Cicilline (D-R.I.), and Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), the incoming Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Representatives Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) and Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) participated in the program, meeting with Minister Mirzayan and joining in the celebration of Artsakh’s independence. Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Representative Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) shared powerful statements of support for Nagorno Karabakh.
A central theme throughout the evening was the broad-based condemnation of the Azerbaijani government’s praise, pardon, and promotion of convicted axe-murderer Ramil Safarov as an action that was manifestly unjust, incited anti-Armenian hatred, and moved the region closer to conflict and renewed Azerbaijani aggression. Members of Congress cited Karabakh’s democratic and economic progress, even in the face of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s continuing belligerence, noting the overwhelmingly positive assessment of the July 2012 presidential elections. Legislators also discussed the need for continued U.S. support for Karabakh’s self-determination, through, among other things, expanded humanitarian and developmental assistance to Artsakh.
Poignant remarks were offered by Mrs. Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte, author of “Nowhere: A Story of Exile,” who detailed the Azerbaijani pogroms against her and other Armenians in Baku—which led to the forced exodus of that centuries old population. Turcotte cited the anti-Armenian massacres that began in 1988 and the ongoing intolerance faced by the few Armenians left in Azerbaijan as among the most powerful reasons to continue the fight for justice and self-determination for the people of Artsakh.
A highlight of the evening was the ceremony, conducted by the Ambassador of Armenia, bestowing the Republic of Armenia’s “Mkhitar Gosh” award upon Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Calif.). Both offered moving words of appreciation and reaffirmed their support for the democratic aspirations of the people of Armenia and Artsakh. In addition to the “Mkhitar Gosh” Award, Nagorno Karabakh Republic Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan offered both Rep. Eshoo and Rep. Sherman a medal in honor of Artsakh’s independence.
After a strong and far-reaching pro-Artsakh statement by Armenia’s Ambassador Tatoul Markarian, and warm words of introduction by Nagorno Karabakh Representative Robert Avetisyan, the key note address of the program was offered by Minister Mirzoyan, who, in a moving speech, voiced his appreciation to the U.S. Congress for its ongoing support for the developing nation, and underscored both his government’s and his people’s commitment to democracy and freedom.
Also offering comments on the challenges facing Artsakh and the region was the highly-regarded former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans.
It seems to me, that US Congress is more interested about Artsakh,, than Armenia!!
The US congressmen and congresswomen are well aware that Artsakh was and is part of Armenia. Such educated and intellectual representative are expressing the fact that Artsakh was given to Azerbaijan by the communist leader Joseph Stalin. We extend our appreciatations to our representatives for supporting the cruelty of the past.
“America strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We are committed to achieving a negotiated solution to the Nagorno–Karabakh conflict –- a solution that starts with the principle of territorial integrity, and takes into account other international principles. Achieving a solution is more important now than ever before; that outcome will enhance peace and stability in the region, and Azerbaijan’s security, as well.”
-Dick Cheney, September 2008.
“the dispute over the break-away Nagorno-Karabakh region and the Armenian military occupation of surrounding lands in Azerbaijan remains the primary focus of regional instability;”
-CIA world factbook.
“U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Jones remarked on January 13, 2005: “It is in Russia’s interest for these areas, for
Transnistria, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno- Karabakh, for these areas to be stable, for corruption to end there, for the criminal
secessionists who rule there to be removed”
And finally….
““The United States does not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent country, and its leadership is not recognized
internationally or by the United States. The United States SUPPORTS the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan…” Source: “The United
States and the Conflict Over Nagorno-Karabakh”, Fact Sheet, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Washington, DC, February
7, 2005,”
I really don’t understand why Armenians continue to trust the U.S. government. I really, really don’t. The U.S. government willingly aides Turkey in genocide denial, and blatantly, as I have shown, supports the illegitimate dictatorship of Azerbaijan in the NKR conflict, and because some Congressmen- no doubt receiving monetary support from Armenian lobbyists celebrate the independence of Artsakh and everything becomes forgotten, and the U.S. becomes the best friend of Armenia again. It seems to me like Russia- who has recognized the genocide- is more of a friend than the US will ever be. Russia aides Armenia militarily, and both are members of the CSTO. Sure Russia may have ulterior motives as well, but I have no doubt in my mind who will rush to Armenia’s aid first between the US and Russia (should it ever need it).
RVDV,
“I really don’t understand why Armenians continue to trust the U.S. government”
It is some Diasporan Armenians who do, people in Armenia DO NOT.
@RVDV
It is well known that oil barron NEO-Cons and Zionist that run our US State department are not the best friends of the Armenians nor chanmpions of truth and justice or even have moral correctness. It doesn’t mean they are correcxt or things will not change..
In reality 42 US staes already acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and yet the Neo-cons and the Zionist “think tanks” look for ways to help theuir Turkish counterparts escape justice..
However, 25 years ago NONE was talking abouit the Armenian genocide or the independence of Karabagh.. Things do cahnge..
RVDV,
“I really don’t understand why Armenians continue to trust the U.S. government.”
Because some members of the diaspora need jobs and don’t want to venture out to succeed in the real (read: non-Armenia related) world.
Your comments on Russia are spot-on.
We shouldn’t. For many decades Armenians have depended on US to recognize Armenian genocide and pressuring Turkey. However, in the not so symetric disterbution of those who put Armenia in their top priority list and those who do Turkey, Armenia has always fallen short.
Turkey is safe and even the aggressor when it comes to who pressures whom. Unfortunately, Turkey’s NATO membership, its militarily and economically strategic position keep US as their friend.
The few from US government who spoke here are incharge of districts with high Armenian poppulations. New York, California, New Jersey. Armenians have to always push the US government to get some attention.
On top of that, US likes to have close ties with Azerbaijan as well, Both to make Turkey happy and to use the anti-Iran Azerabiajan advantage to set up military zones for future attacks against Iran if needed.
When it comes to NK terrotories US wants the whole thing setteled by NK given to Azerbaijan. As far as recent regional politics are conserned.
So many countries already recognized the genocide, but US is continuing to manuver around the word “genocide”.