[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 16315-16316]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                  NAGORNO KARABAGH'S INDEPENDENCE DAY

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize 
September 2, 2001, as the 10th anniversary of Nagorno Karabagh's 
declaration of independence. Born from the disintegration of the Soviet 
Union in the late 1980s, the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh has faced 
incredible odds over the past decade in its struggle for self-
determination, independence, peace, and stability.
  Many Americans know very little about Nagorno Karabagh. However, the

[[Page 16316]]

region is culturally rich and historically significant as a bridge 
between Eastern and Western societies. Armenians have been a distinct 
political entity in Artsakh--the traditional Armenian name for the 
Republic of Nagorno Karabagh--since the 2nd Century B.C. Christianity 
in the region grew and strengthened following the construction of the 
historic Monastery in Amaras in 330 A.D. Repeatedly destroyed by 
generations of invaders and rebuilt, the Monastery in Amaras currently 
stands as a symbol of faith and perseverance for Armenians.
  The Soviet Union's oppression of independence in the region began in 
the 1920s as Nagorno Karabagh and its predominantly Armenian population 
were attached to Azerbaijan. Most recently, Armenians in Nagorno 
Karabagh struggled to fight the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in the 
Cancasus region.
  Finally, on September 2, 1991, the Armenians of Nagorno Karabagh 
declared their independence and survived a three-year war with 
Azerbaijan to create legitimate government institutions. Residents of 
Nagorno Karabagh have participated in national elections for parliament 
and president since then.
  Many challenges face the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh and Armenians 
in the region. I applaud efforts undertaken earlier this year to bring 
together Armenia and Azerbaijan in Key West, Florida, to discuss a 
peaceful end to the Nagorno Karabagh conflict. As Secretary of State 
Powell noted, ``achieving a durable and mutually acceptable resolution 
to Armenia's conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabagh is key to 
several US interests.'' In addition to helping to restore stability in 
the Caucasus region, a lasting peace agreement would allow Armenia to 
improve its relations with Turkey and focus much of its economic 
resources on internal development and social improvements.
  As a member of the Senate Foreign Operations Appropriations 
Subcommittee, I will continue to work to secure funding to support a 
settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict. These funds are critical 
to the peace process and to post-settlement reconstruction in 
Azerbaijan and Armenia as part of a coordinated international donor 
effort.
  Again, I commend the Armenians of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh 
for their courage and perseverance on this anniversary of their 
independence. I look forward to years of peace and economic vitality in 
the region.

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