[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NAGORNO KARABAKH 15TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 25, 2003

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak today to 
extend my congratulations to the people of the Nagorno Karabakh 
Republic, who are celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Karabakh 
Movement for Independence. On February 20, 1988, the Legislature of 
Nagorno Karabakh, officially petitioned the then-Soviet Union to 
reunite with their ethnic compatriots in Armenia. The people of Nagorno 
Karabakh struggled bravely and selfessly in the face of tremendous 
institutionalized violence and oppression orchestrated by succeeding 
totalitarian governments. Despite years of ethnic cleansing, forced 
economic discrimination and state-sponsored violence and intimidation, 
residents of Nagorno Karabakh, 96 percent of whom are Armenian, never 
strayed in their struggle for independence. It wasn't until the 
collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the cold war that they were 
to get their wish, but not without cost. Armed conflict engulfed the 
region in the early 1990s, but a fragile peace has not taken hold.
  It is for these reasons that I urge my colleagues to take this 
historic opportunity, inspired by the anniversary of their most recent 
struggle to live in freedom and the free and transparent elections they 
have held since 1996, to support this fledgling democracy. The people 
of Nagorno Karabakh are to be congratulated for their perseverance and 
resolve in their struggle for self-determination on this 15th 
anniversary. I hope that this Congress will continue to assist them in 
the continued development of their new democracy, which serves as a 
beacon of hope to oppressed people seeking democracy around the globe.

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