The Rhode Island House passed a resolution today calling
on the U.S. President and Congress to recognize the independence of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic (NKR). The resolution also encouraged the republic’s
“continued efforts to develop as a free and independent nation,” and praised
Artsakh’s “constructive involvement with the international community and its
efforts to reach a lasting solution to the existing regional problems.”
********
State House Calls on U.S. Government to Recognize Nagorno
Karabakh Republic’s Independence
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (A.W.)—The Rhode Island House passed a
resolution today calling on the U.S. President and Congress to recognize the
independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR). The resolution also
encouraged the republic’s “continued efforts to develop as a free and
independent nation,” and praised Artsakh’s “constructive involvement with the
international community and its efforts to reach a lasting solution to the
existing regional problems.”
Speaker Fox welcomes representative Avetisyan (L, standing)
“I thank the Rhode Island House for passing this
resolution in support of Karabakh’s aspirations for freedom, and hope that the
legislature’s commitment to our shared values of human rights and justice will
set an example for other legislatures in the U.S. and beyond,” said Robert
Avetisyan, the permanent representative of NKR to the U.S. and Canada.
The resolution was voted on the House floor in the
presence of Avetisyan, whom House speaker Gordon Fox (D) warmly welcomed in his
introductory remarks. Fox also welcomed a delegation from the local Armenian
community accompanying Avetisyan: Chairman of the Armenian Cultural Association
of R.I. Hagop Donoyan, youth advisor to the AYF of R.I. Levon Attarian, member
of the board of trustees of the Sts. Vartanantz Church Stephen Elmasian, and
member of the ARF Eastern U.S. Central Committee Ani Haroian.
Dozens of local Armenian-Americans filled the gallery of
the House during the session.
Almost concurrently, on Capitol Hill, Congressmen James
Langevin (D-R.I.) and Congressman David Cicilline (D-R.I.) made statements on
the House floor in support of the people of NKR. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse
(D-R.I.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), in turn, issued statements.
“It is more important than ever that the United States
maintain a principled stand for peace in this region, show that democracy can
be born from conflict, and support Nagorno-Karabakh,” said Langevin. “It is my sincerest hope that
Nagorno-Karabakh’s right to self-determination can be affirmed without further
loss of life.”
“20 years ago, the people of Nagorno Karabakh fought and
died for their independence from Soviet Azeri repression and discrimination,”
said Cicilline. “I join the people of
Nagorno Karabakh today in recognizing the 20th anniversary of their
independence and the formation of the Republic’s Army and the liberation of
Shushi.”
Representative Avetisyan will continue his meetings in
Rhode Island over the next several days, pursuing economic development
opportunities for NKR. His visit will conclude on May 20 with a community-wide
celebration of the 20th anniversary of the liberation of Shushi.
Details to follow.
About the Author
Khatchig Mouradian is the editor of the
Armenian Weekly, the program coordinator of the Armenian Genocide Program at
Rutgers University, and a PhD student in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at
Clark University. He has lectured extensively and participated in academic
conferences in Armenia, Austria, Cyprus, Lebanon, Norway, Switzerland, Syria,
Turkey, and across the U.S. His articles and interviews have appeared in
publications worldwide. Follow him on Twitter: http://twitter.com/khatcho
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/05/17/breaking-news-rhode-island-legislature-supports-freedom-of-artsakh/
Hiç yorum yok:
Yorum Gönder
Not: Yalnızca bu blogun üyesi yorum gönderebilir.