[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 151 (Monday, November 1, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONDEMNING THE ASSASSINATION OF ARMENIAN LEADERS IN ATTACK ON 
                               PARLIAMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 1, 1999

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness and shock that I 
rise to mourn the loss of Armenian Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsian, 
Speaker of the Parliament Karen Demirchian, and the Members of 
Parliament who were killed in the legislature on Wednesday, October 27, 
1999. Their exemplary leadership contributed immensely to the bold 
political and economic reforms that are transforming Armenia into a 
vibrant democracy. Their dedication helped Armenia evolve toward 
transparency, peace and stability. It is painful that the attack takes 
place at such a hopeful time in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks, and 
only one month after the Prime Minister's successful trip to the United 
States.
  As a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenia, I condemn these 
acts of terror. It would be an injustice to the memory of these 
courageous leaders to let an assassin's bullets disrupt their important 
work. I join the President, the Vice President and my colleagues in 
extending my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, 
President Kocharian, the Armenian people, and their friends in America. 
Our thoughts and prayers are with them doing this difficult time in 
their history.

                          ____________________