February 20, 2008 - 15:40 AMT
Kocharian congratulated Armenian nation on 20th anniversary of Karabakh movement
Armenian President Robert Kocharian issued a statement on occasion of 20th anniversary of the Karabakh movement.

"The Karabakh movement was peaceful and demanded a legal solution but it met pogroms, massacre, deportation and aggression. The circumstances transformed the movement into a national liberation struggle for self-determination.

"The war changed the live of our nation and proved that independence has no alternative. Presently, NKR independence is not only a means of national identity maintenance but also the real guarantee of peaceful development. Nagorno Karabakh fixed great achievements in democracy building and economy growth.

I congratulate the Armenian nation on the 20th anniversary of the movement and express my sincere gratitude to those serving for the glory of Artsakh. I wish you welfare and new achievements in state building process," Robert Kocharian said.