[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 125 (Monday, September 30, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         SUCCESS OF THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2002

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, on August 11, 2002, the men and women of 
Nagorno-Karabakh exercised their right to vote--a right which we have 
cherished for more than two centuries and a right that we hope will 
spread across the world.
  Democracy, Mr. Speaker, is at the core of our existence as a nation, 
and democracy and democratic values are what we fought for in Europe 
during two World Wars and are continuing to fight for in the war on 
terrorism.
  As freedom loving people who stood up against tyranny, we have a duty 
to applaud and support others who aspire to the principles that 
resulted in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
  Mr. Speaker, on August 11, 2002, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh re-
elected President Arkady Ghoukassian by a majority vote in what the 
independent election observers from the United States, Russia, Great 
Britain, France, Italy and Armenia called a free and transparent 
election.
  The independent international observers, who monitored the election 
and the subsequent vote count, included a number of acting and former 
parliamentarians, former diplomats, foreign policy experts, and 
representatives of non-governmental human rights organizations. In 
addition, journalists from the United States, Russia, France, Spain, 
Great Britain and Armenia covered the course of the election.
  The democratic presidential election of Nagorno-Karabakh, with an 
impressive 76 percent turnout, is evidence of the people's adherence to 
Western values and its determination to form a civil society and 
organize its affairs through a representative body based on the rule of 
law.
  Observers from the British Helsinki Human Rights Group, which had 
observed 85 elections within the jurisdiction of the Organization of 
Security and Cooperation in Europe, stated that the election in 
Nagorno-Karabakh had surpassed many elections internationally 
recognized and approved by the OSCE and the Council of Europe, in 
particular, the elections in Bosnia and Kosovo.
  The five independent observers from the United States, which included 
former high-ranking foreign service officers and foreign policy 
experts, were extremely impressed with the election process and the 
people's resolute determination to live in freedom. One observer 
described it as ``an impressive exercise in democracy.''
  Mr. Speaker, last summer I visited Nagorno-Karabakh and saw first-
hand the harsh yet dramatic terrain of Nagorno-Karabakh and the rugged 
individualism of its people and leadership. Their compassion and 
conviction to forge ahead despite the difficult challenges was 
reminiscent of our founding fathers, who when faced with the choice of 
liberty or tyranny fought to live in freedom.
  The people of Nagorno-Karabakh continue to live with the daily 
reminders of the war--landmines, collapsed buildings, and the 
noticeable absence of fathers, brothers and sons. Yet, they have chosen 
to rebuild their lives and their towns so their children will live in 
freedom.
  Congratulations President Ghoukassian and congratulations to the 
people of Nagorno-Karabakh for your spirit and your commitment to 
freedom and democracy.

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