[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 33 (Monday, March 3, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING NAGORNO KARABAKH ON THEIR FREEDOM MOVEMENT'S 15TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DEVIN NUNES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 3, 2003

  Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the people of 
Nagorno Karabakh on the 15th Anniversary of the Karabakh Freedom 
Movement. As many in this body know, February 20, 1988 is considered to 
be the beginning of the modem day national liberation movement of the 
people of Nagorno Karabakh. On that day, the Nagorno Karabakh 
legislature officially petitioned the Soviet government to reunite with 
Armenia. This sparked weeks of demonstrations by tens of thousands of 
people around Nagorno Karabakh to show their desire to live in freedom. 
This same commitment to liberty lay at the foundation of the American 
nation.
  Today, Nagorno Karabakh clearly satisfies the international criteria 
for statehood with a democratically elected government, capable armed 
forces and an independent foreign policy. With such, they strongly 
contribute to peace and stability in the South Caucasus region--a goal 
the United States shares with them.
  Over the past number of years, Congress has expressed its support for 
the Nagorno Karabakh--from the beginning of its struggle to shrug off 
Soviet totalitarianism to their fight against Azerbaijan's aggression 
to post-war rehabilitation assistance. I strongly believe this is the 
right path and will continue to do all I can to give critical 
assistance to Nagorno Karabakh. Again, I offer my congratulations to 
Nagorno Karabakh.

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