U.S. Congressmen join NKR FM to mark Artsakh independence anniv.

PanARMENIAN.Net - On Dec. 5, U.S. legislators joined on Capitol Hill with the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s Foreign Minister, Karen Mirzoyan, in a spirited, standing-room-only celebration of Artsakh’s independence and democratic development.

“We were pleased to join this evening with so many friends of freedom—in Congress, among our coalition partners, and from our community – who know that the blessings of liberty belong to the free people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and to all nations,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.

The program, held in the historic Russell Senate Office Building, was hosted by the Armenian Caucus, which is co-chaired by Congressman Ed Royce (R-Calif.), the incoming Chairman of the influential Foreign Affairs Committee, and Congressman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.). Among the legislators offering powerful statements at the event in support for Nagorno Karabakh were Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Representatives Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), David Cicilline (D-R.I.), and Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), the incoming Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Representatives Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) and Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) participated in the program, meeting with Minister Mirzayan and joining in the celebration of Artsakh’s independence. Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Representative Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) shared powerful statements of support for Nagorno Karabakh.

A central theme throughout the evening was the broad-based condemnation of the Azerbaijani government’s praise, pardon, and promotion of convicted axe-murderer Ramil Safarov as an action that was manifestly unjust, incited anti-Armenian hatred, and moved the region closer to conflict and renewed Azerbaijani aggression. Members of Congress cited Karabakh’s democratic and economic progress, even in the face of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s continuing belligerence, noting the overwhelmingly positive assessment of the July 2012 presidential elections. Legislators also discussed the need for continued U.S. support for Karabakh’s self-determination, through, among other things, expanded humanitarian and developmental assistance to Artsakh.

A highlight of the evening was the ceremony, conducted by the Ambassador of Armenia, bestowing the Republic of Armenia’s “Mkhitar Gosh” award upon Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Calif.).

After a strong and far-reaching pro-Artsakh statement by Armenia’s Ambassador Tatoul Markarian, and warm words of introduction by Nagorno Karabakh Representative Robert Avetisyan, the key note address of the program was offered by Minister Mirzoyan, who, in a moving speech, voiced his appreciation to the U.S. Congress for its ongoing support for the developing nation.

Also offering comments on the challenges facing Artsakh and the region was the highly-regarded former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans.