[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 18 (Thursday, February 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              THE LIBERATION MOVEMENT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 17, 2005

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, this Sunday, February 20, 2005 will mark 
the 17th anniversary of the modern day liberation movement of the 
people of the Nagorno Karabakh (NK). Seventeen years ago the people of 
NK petitioned the Soviet government to correct historical injustices 
and reunite them with their compatriots in Armenia.
  The Armenians of NK were placed within the borders of Azerbaijan in 
1921, as one of many ethnic groups there were separated by Joseph 
Stalin through his ``divide and conquer'' strategy. Armenians of NK 
were subjected to brutal Soviet Azerbaijani rule for 70 years.
  It is imperative that we recognize the fact that NK's referendum to 
secede from Azerbaijan in 1988 was pursuant to Soviet law. NK was 
already operating as an autonomous region and therefore had the right 
and the power to secede if they chose to.
  In fact, during the seven decades of Soviet rule, 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.
  In 1988, when the Armenians of NK heard of the Mikhail Gorbachev's 
democratization agenda, they began to again move peacefully for 
reunification with Armenia. 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 3 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. I 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 in humanitarian assistance in FY `97, an additional $5 
million in FY `03 and $3 million just last year. 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 
during my visit to NKR. 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 5 years, but a 
statewide referendum on the democratic process and independence of NKR.
  I congratulate the people of NKR for the 17th anniversary of the 
Nagorno Karabakh Liberation movement and their incredible determination 
to establish a free and open democratic society.

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