[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 32 (Thursday, February 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NAGORNO KARABAKH LIBERATION MOVEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. FRANK PALLONE JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2003

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I want bring the attention of my colleagues 
to an anniversary that occurred this past Thursday, February 20th, 
2003. That day marked the 15th anniversary of the modern day liberation 
movement of the people of the Nagorno Karabakh (NK). Fifteen years ago, 
in the twilight of the Soviet Union, the people of NK petitioned the 
Soviet government to correct historical injustices and reunite them 
with their brethren in Armenia.
  The Armenians of NK were placed within the borders of Azerbaijan in 
1921, as one of the many ethnic groups that were separated by Joseph 
Stalin through his ``divide and conquer'' strategy. Despite the fact 
that 96% of the population of NK were ethnically Armenian, and NK's 
stated wish to be part of Armenia--or even be represented as an 
autonomous region within Azerbaijan--the Armenians of NK were subjected 
to brutal Soviet Azerbaijani rule for 70 years.
  During those seven decades, the Armenians of NK repeatedly stated to 
each successive Soviet regime their desire to be joined again with 
Armenia. These peaceful and legal maneuvers were met with violent 
repression and forced settlement of ethnic Azeris into NK.
  Heydar Ailyev, current President of Azerbaijan, ran the Azeri spoke 
of these policies frankly to reporters on July 22, 2002. He said, ``I 
tried to change Nagorno Karabakh's demography . . . Instead of sending 
Azeri workers to Baku, I sent a large number of them to Karabakh from 
surrounding Azerbaijani regions . . . With these and other measures, I 
was trying to make sure that Azerbaijani population grew in Karabakh 
while the Armenian population diminished. Those who used to work in 
Karabakh back then, know what I am talking about.'' This comment smacks 
of human rights abuses; working to directly change to demographics of 
the region while paying no mind to the Armenian or Azeri human 
condition.
  In 1988, when the Armenians of NK heard of the Mikhail Gorbachev's 
democratization agenda, they began to again move peacefully for 
reunification with Armnenia. At this time, the Soviet and Azeri armies 
would not stand even to entertain this request and immediately resorted 
to violence. Public expressions of determination by the Armenians of NK 
were met with a campaign of ethnic cleansing, deporting the Armenians 
of NK and Azerbaijan.
  In 1991, as Armenia and Azerbaijan followed most soviet states in 
succession from the USSR, NK also voted to succeed. In an 
internationally monitored referendum, the NK population overwhelmingly 
voted to establish an independent Nagorno Karabakh Republic, currently 
known as NKR.
  Following this referendum in which the country was established, the 
Azeri army began a full-scale war on the Armenians of NK, which took 
thousands of lives over three years, but eventually ended up with NKR 
repelling Azeri forces. This victory was gained with an army that was 
out-manned and out-gunned, but had desire and guile that proved to be 
overwhelming. This conflict had a terrific human cost, leaving 30,000 
dead and over one million displaced. Thankfully, although small 
skirmishes have broken out from time to time, the peace has been kept 
since an agreement ceased hostilities in 1994.
  Mr. Speaker, I have repeatedly come to the House floor to speak of 
the plight of the Armenians of NKR. I can now speak from personal 
experience about NKR, having traveled there with Congressman Dogget of 
Texas last August. We had the opportunity to travel to NKR to witness 
the Presidential elections there, where we served as official monitors. 
I am proud to say that all election observers that participated in this 
historic event gave an overwhelmingly positive response. One group in 
particular, headed by the Baroness Cox from England stated that, ``Our 
overall conclusion is one of congratulations to all the people of 
Artsakh (NKR) for the spirit in which the elections have been 
conducted, their commitment to the democratic process and their pride 
in their progress towards the establishment of civil society.''
  This process is astounding considering that NKR is not recognized 
internationally; that they still must deal every day with Azeri 
aggression, and that their economy is still devastated from the war. 
The elections were reported to have met, if not exceeded international 
standards. All this just 9 short years removed from all-out war.
  Congress recognized this consistent move towards democracy, granting 
NKR 20 million dollars in humanitarian assistance in FY '97, and an 
additional 5 million dollars in FY '03. This assistance has not just 
been crucial for needs of the people of NKR, but has also fostered the 
beginnings of an excellent relationship between our two countries.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to end with a final example of what I saw 
in Armenia in August last year. During the elections, as I visited the 
capitol city and small villages alike, everyone I spoke to was 
incredibly excited about the prospect of voting. They viewed the vote 
not only as a choice of the leader of their country for the next five 
years, but a statewide referendum on the democratic process and 
independence of NKR.
  I congratulate the people of NKR for the 15th anniversary of the 
Nagorno Karabakh Liberation movement and their incredible determination 
to establish a free and open democratic society.

                          ____________________