[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 19 (Friday, February 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING THE 17TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH FREEDOM 
                                MOVEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 17, 2005

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, as proud member of the Congressional 
Caucus on Armenian Issues, and the representative of a large and 
vibrant community of Armenian Americans, I rise today to extend my 
congratulations to the people of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) on the 17th 
anniversary of the Nagorno Karabakh Freedom Movement. On February 20, 
1988, the people of Nagorno Karabakh officially petitioned the Soviet 
government to correct the historical injustices of Soviet dictator 
Joseph Stalin by reuniting the area with Armenia. Six days later, one 
million people demonstrated in Yerevan's Opera Square.
  Unfortunately, the central Soviet and Azerbaijani leadership 
violently reacted to this peaceful and legal request by engaging in 
full military aggression against Nagorno Karabakh. The people of 
Nagorno Karabakh courageously defended their right to live freely on 
their ancestral land.
  Today, Nagorno Karabakh continues to strengthen its statehood with a 
democratically elected government, a court system, an independent 
foreign policy, and a commitment to educating its citizens. I will 
continue to join with my colleagues in supporting assistance to Nagorno 
Karabakh, which has a vital role in achieving a peaceful and stable 
South Caucasus region. On this anniversary, I reiterate my unwavering 
support to Nagorno Karabakh's freedom, democracy, and economic 
development.

                          ____________________