[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 25 (Thursday, February 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E201-E202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH FREEDOM MOVEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL R. McNULTY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 14, 2008

  Mr. McNULTY. Madam 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.

[[Page E202]]

  Today, Nagorno Karabakh continues to strengthen its statehood with a 
democratically elected government, a capable defense force, and an 
independent foreign policy.
  I stand with the people of Nagorno Karabakh in celebrating their 
continuing freedom and democracy.

                          ____________________