[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 124 (Friday, September 21, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1702-E1703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2001

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Armenian 
Republic on the nation's Tenth Anniversary of Independence. Today, 
citizens of Armenia, as well as people of Armenian descent here in the 
United States

[[Page E1703]]

and around the world celebrate their independence from the former 
Soviet Union. Sadly, they will also be mourning the victims of the 
September 11th attack on our country. Armenia's early response to the 
attack was to assist American staff in ensuring the security of the 
U.S. Embassy in Yerevan. President Kocharian joined other world leaders 
in expressing both his solidarity with America and his shock and sorrow 
in a letter sent to President Bush. I would like to ask unanimous 
consent to submit President Kocharian's letter to President Bush for 
the record.
  Since its independence, democratic nations have welcomed Armenia into 
the family. I am proud that this Congress has consistently voted to 
provide humanitarian economic development assistance to help Armenia 
preserve democracy and the institutions of civil society and to 
continue its transition to a free market economy.
  The United States has a fundamental national interest in bringing 
about stability in the strategically located Caucasus region and in 
supporting those emerging nations like Armenia that share our values. 
Given the horrific events of September 11th, it becomes even more 
important to ensure that the countries in the Caucasus move forward 
together--economically and politically. We must redouble our efforts to 
ensure that the tensions in the region subside and that the long-
standing differences that divide the countries of the region are 
resolved. Winners and losers in the Caucasus will only foster greater 
insecurity and instability at a time when we need to bring everyone 
together to combat terrorism. I have been encouraged by Armenia's 
ongoing attempts to reach out to its neighbors--Turkey and Azerbaijan--
in a constructive manner.
  Mr. Speaker, the story of the Armenian people is an unforgettable 
story of triumph over adversity and tragedy. Earlier in this century, 
in one of history's most horrible crimes against humanity, 1.5 million 
Armenian men, women and children were slaughtered by the Ottoman 
Turkish Empire. We must continue to remind the world that this genocide 
is an historic fact--despite the efforts of so-called ``revisionists,'' 
many of them funded by the Turkish government, to deny the truth--and 
to make sure that our nation, the world community, and especially the 
Turkish nation come to terms with and appropriately commemorate this 
historic fact.
  Mr. Speaker, it was the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 that 
allowed the Armenian people to re-establish a state and a nation, to 
create a society where their language, culture, religion and other 
institutions would prosper. The people of Armenia have endeavored to 
build a free and proud nation, based on the principles of democracy and 
a market economy.
  The tiny, landlocked Republic of Armenia is surrounded by hostile 
neighbors, who have imposed blockades halting the delivery of basic 
necessities and greatly hindering economic development. Despite the 
dual blockades, Armenia continues to implement economic and democratic 
reforms. During the first six months of this year, Armenia's Gross 
Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 6.4 percent over last year's level. 
And during the last year, both the International Monetary Fund and the 
World Bank have publicly noted Armenia's economic progress.
  Despite this progress, I would like to say that the economic reality 
of daily life for the people of the Republic of Armenia continues to be 
extremely hard.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope that as we mark future Independence Days of the 
Republic of Armenia, we can look back with pride on building peace and 
prosperity in the entire Trans-Caucasus region, so that the people of 
Armenia and their neighbors can enjoy a stable and hopeful future. I 
hope that the Republics of Turkey and Azerbaijan will respond 
positively to Armenia's repeated offers to normalize relations. 
Specifically, I hope that Turkey will allow for the exchange of 
diplomats and allow the free flow of goods and people across the 
borders. And I hope that, with the active participation of the United 
States, we will resolve the Nagorno Karabagh conflict, in a manner that 
guarantees the security and self-determination of the people of 
Karabagh.
  Finally, I wish the Armenian people well on the occasion of their 
independence day, and, more important, in their ongoing effort to 
establish good relations with its neighbors and build a vibrant 
democracy so that their children may prosper in the homeland of their 
ancestors.

                                                  President of the


                                          Republic of Armenia,

                                       Yerevan, 11 September 2001.
     His Excellency George W. Bush,
     President of the United States of America,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President, I have learned with utter shock the 
     news about the terrorist attacks on The World Trade Center in 
     New York and the Pentagon building in Washington, which 
     resulted in human loss and massive destruction. The evil of 
     terrorism has shown its ugly face and should be confronted 
     with determination and resolve. Armenia joins the world in 
     condemning this most deplorable and inhuman act of violence. 
     On behalf of the people of Armenia and myself personally, I 
     express our most heartfelt condolences to the people of 
     America and to the bereaved families. We share your grief and 
     wish you strength and patience.
                                                 Robert Kocharian.

     

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