Frank Pallone calls on USA to continue supporting democracy in NK

Frank Pallone calls on USA to continue supporting democracy
development in Karabakh

ARMINFO
Saturday, December 8, 15:14

American Congressman Frank Pallone has called on the USA to continue
supporting democracy development in Karabakh.

As Arminfo correspondent in Stepanakert reported, in his opening
remarks suring the event, dedicated to the 21-st anniversary of
independence of Nagornyy Karabakh, marked on Capitol Hill on 5
December, representative Pallone, who moderated the event, stressed
that the people and leaders of Artsakh realized their right to
self-determination and independence in full conformity with all
existing national and international law, legalprecedent, and
democratic traditions. He called for continued American support for
Artsakh’s democracy. Joining Congressman Pallone in offering remarks,
and making statements, were Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), and
Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Anna Eshoo
(D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), and Eliot Engel (D-NY), the incoming
Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, as well as Senator
Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA). Reps.
Jeff Denham (R-CA) and Linda Sanchez (D-CA) were also among those
participating in the celebration.

The program was rounded out by a powerful speech by Anna
Astvatsaturian Turcotte, an Armenian refugee from Azerbaijan, who was
an eyewitness to anti-Armenian violence in Baku. She spoke movingly
of those dreadful days, which reaffirmed, she explained, her resolve
to see Artsakh live in freedom. She recently published her memoirs,
titled “Nowhere, a Story of Exile,” that tells the story of her life
in Baku, and Azerbaijan’s brutality against Armenian citizens in Baku
and elsewhere. She called upon the global community to pay proper
attention to the plight of Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan, and
expressed her hope that one day Azerbaijani society would be able to
overcome its hatred towards Armenians. The event was concluded by the
invocation served by the Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan Legate
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America (East), as well as
Reverend Fathers of both Armenian churches in Washington.

To recall, on December 5, 2012, the Foreign Minister Mirzoyan, who
arrived in the US to take part at the congressional event marking the
21st anniversary of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s independence, has
held separate meetings with members of the U.S. Congress Adam Schiff,
Brad Sherman, and Frank Pallone, Jr. Issues related to the regional
developments, Karabakh peace process, as well as economic development
and democratic achievement in the NKR were discussed during the
meetings. The NKR Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to the members
of Congress for their steadfast support of Artsakh’s cause, and their
efforts for continuation of the US assistance to Artsakh.