[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5492]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     IN SUPPORT OF NOGORNO-KARABAKH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Fortenberry). Under a previous order of 
the House, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) is recognized 
for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to lend my support to the 
Republic of Nogorno-Karabakh in its pursuit of independence and 
international recognition. I believe that U.S. recognition of the 
Republic of Nogorno-Karabakh would greatly contribute to stability and 
peace in the South Caucasus region.
  Nogorno-Karabakh is a country of proud citizens committed to the 
values of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights. We as 
Americans cherish and defend these same values at home and 
internationally. The path to freedom has not been easy for the people 
of Nogorno-Karabakh. Following a peaceful demand by Karabakh's 
legislative body to reunite the region with Armenia in 1988, Azerbaijan 
launched an ethnic cleansing campaign against individuals of Armenian 
descent in both Karabakh and Azerbaijan. As a result, thousands of 
ethnic Armenians were killed, while some 400,000 fled Azerbaijan to 
escape the killings.
  Mr. Speaker, on September 2, 1991, the people of Nogorno-Karabakh, 
consistent with their status as an oblast, or autonomous region, under 
the Soviet constitution, declared their independence. The declaration 
of independence noted Azerbaijan's policies of discrimination against 
the Armenian people, the need to restore friendly relations between 
Armenia and Azerbaijani people, and respect for the universal 
declaration of human rights. In response, Azerbaijan launched an all-
out war against Nogorno-Karabakh.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of Nogorno-Karabakh have steadily progressed 
on the path of democracy and conducted regular elections for president 
and the legislature. I actually acted as an observer for the last 
presidential election, and those elections were praised by 
international observers, including the United States, as free, fair and 
transparent.
  While strengthening its democratic institutions, Nogorno-Karabakh has 
also successfully transitioned from a Soviet-inherited centrally 
planned economy to a market economy. Despite significant setbacks, it 
has largely restored its infrastructure and introduced reforms to 
encourage private enterprise and foreign investments.
  With its democratically elected government, capable armed forces, and 
an independent foreign policy, Nogorno-Karabakh clearly satisfies the 
international criteria for statehood. Throughout its 14-year history of 
independence, it has proven to be a reliable partner of the 
international community and has contributed meaningfully to peace and 
stability in the strategic south caucuses.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States should formally recognize the Republic 
of Nogorno-Karabakh, basically expand its relationship with the 
democratically elected Republic of Nogorno-Karabakh, and provide 
increased U.S. humanitarian and development assistance. It is crucial 
for the U.S. to unequivocally support the right of the people of 
Nogorno-Karabakh to decide their own future.
  Mr. Speaker, the Nogorno-Karabakh Republic's democratic regime is in 
sharp contrast to its neighbor, Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has evolved 
since its succession from the Soviet Union into an autocratic 
dictatorship.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, there should not be a double standard. Since 
its independence, the Republic of Nogorno-Karabakh has enjoyed all 
attributes and institutions of statehood. Currently, its de facto 
statehood fully satisfies the requirements of conventional and 
customary international laws for de jure recognition.

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