[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 19 (Friday, February 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE OCCASION OF THE 17TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH FREEDOM 
                                MOVEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL R. McNULTY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 17, 2005

  Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, I join today with many of my colleagues in 
extending my congratulations to the people of Nagorno Karabakh on the 
anniversary of the Nagorno Karabakh Freedom Movement.
  On February 20, 1988, the people of Nagorno Karabakh officially 
petitioned the Soviet government to reunite with Armenia and reverse 
the injustice perpetrated by the Soviet dictator, Joseph Stalin.
  This peaceful and legal request was met with violent reaction by the 
Soviet and Azerbaijani leadership, and escalated into full military 
aggression against Nagorno Karabakh. The people of Nagorno Karabakh 
bravely defended their right to live in freedom on their ancestral 
land.
  Today, Nagorno Karabakh continues to strengthen its statehood with a 
democratically elected government, a capable armed forces and 
independent foreign policy.
  I stand with the people of Nagorno Karabakh in celebrating their 
continuing freedom and democracy.

                          ____________________