[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 182 (Friday, October 23, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E982]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        INDEPENDENCE FOR ARTSAKH

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                           HON. TONY CARDENAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 23, 2020

  Mr. CARDENAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to call on the United 
States government to formally recognize the independence of the 
Republic of Artsakh.
  For too long, we have failed as a country to state unequivocally that 
the people of Artsakh, a historical part of Armenia populated by 
Armenians to this day, have a right to self-determination as an 
independent republic and it has opened the door to violence.
  For weeks, Artsakh has suffered a brutal assault by Azerbaijan and 
Turkey in the form of merciless rocket attacks and bombings. This is, 
in part, the consequence of our past failures to exert leadership in 
this region of the world.
  We must make clear that we will stand against the aggression of 
Azerbaijan and their allies in Turkey when they would wage war against 
a people for seeking self-rule and independence, a people for whom the 
specter of genocide still lingers.
  It is time for the United States to correct course and make it clear 
that we stand behind the protection of life and preservation of human 
dignity by standing behind the Republic of Artsakh. As the world's 
oldest modern democracy, it is our heritage and duty to do so.

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