Karabakh FM: Axe murderer’s glorification humiliating for Azerbaijan
Published: Sunday December 09, 2012
Karen Mirzoyan with Congressman Schiff. Rep. Schiff’s office
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WASHINGTON – Nagorno Karabakh’s recently appointed foreign minister Karen
Mirzoyan was in Washington for his first foreign trip outside Armenia. On
December 5, he delivered the following remarks to about 100 people who
gathered on Capitol Hill for an event dedicated to Artsakh. Other speakers
included Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Reps. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), Anna Eshoo
(D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) and Frank
Pallone (D-N.J.), who moderated the event.
Srbazan hair,
Hogevor hayrer,
Ambassador Margaryan,
Honorable Members of Congress,
Dear compatriots, ladies and gentlemen,
First of all I would like to thank the organizers of this event – members
of the Armenian Caucus, especially the Caucus Co-Chairs – Representatives
Frank Pallone and Ed Royce, as well as the Armenian Embassy, personally
Ambassador Margaryan, Office of Artsakh in the USA, and all the
Armenian-American organizations who facilitated the celebration.
This is my first public appearance in Washington in my new capacity as
foreign minister; and I am glad that such gatherings to celebrate Artsakh’s
freedom on Capitol Hill have become a tradition. This is important for
Artsakh; for all of us, who share the common values that our countries are
based on.
In a few days, on December 10th, the Republic of Artsakh will mark the 21st
anniversary of the Referendum of Independence and the 6th anniversary of
Adopting our Constitution. For us, independence is not just an ultimate
goal, but also means by which the Nagorno Karabakh Republic can take its
rightful place as a responsible member of the international community; by
which our people can best fulfill their potential, realize their
aspirations, and enjoy all their rights and freedoms everyone deserves.
It was not accidental that our people chose December 10 to hold those two
referenda. December 10 is the International Human Rights Day; the day, when
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted outlining those very
same principles that serve as a basis of our statehood.
Since the adoption of the independence declaration that following the free
expression of popular will, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic has been
steadfast in building a state based on democratic values, rule of law,
respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Today, we can state with confidence that we do have certain achievements:
free, fair and competitive elections have become an inseparable part of
Artsakh’s political culture. Since 1991, our republic went through five
presidential, five parliamentary and as many local administration
elections. Our political transitions have always been legal and orderly.
All the elections, including the most recent Presidential elections of July
19, 2012 were assessed by international observers, foreign parliament
members, journalists and public figures from 22 countries as free and
transparent.
A few words about Artsakh’s economy: Despite all the challenges imposed by
historic legacies and our “tough neighborhood”, the Republic’s economy has
enjoyed steady growth, which positively reflects on our people’s living
standards. Artsakh today is a place with favorable business environment.
Along with traditional agricultural sector and mining, our republic
explores new directions, such as IT sphere and tourism. One of the
government’s priorities is eletricity production using the rich water
resources of Artsakh. With current pace, we plan to become electricity
exporters by 2015.
Our government has been doing its utmost in eliminating the consequences of
the devastating Azerbaijani aggression of 1991-1994. Here, allow me, on
behalf of our people and government, express our profound gratitude to the
US Government, all Americans for the crucial humanitarian assistance my
people have been thankfully accepting for more than a decade now. We are
grateful to the US Congress, Co-Chairs and all members of the Armenian
Caucus, our compatriots living in the United States, who spared no effort
to make sure Artsakh remains safe, regional stability is maintained, and
freedom-loving Artsakhtsis have a chance to improve their daily peaceful
lives.
Dear Friends,
Our young republic still faces many challenges, among them – legacies of
the authoritarian Soviet past, and the conflict with Azerbaijan being one
of the tragic manifestations of those.
We are allied with the international community in our commitment to finding
a peaceful resolution to the existing problem with Azerbaijan. At the same
time, we are confident that effective negotiations require restoration of
Artsakh’s immediate participation at all stages of the negotiation process
– from exchange of opinions around the philosophy of settlement up to the
discussion of practical steps and their implementation.
I want to use this opportunity and thank the American government for its
mediating efforts within the OSCE Minsk group, along with Russia and
France. Nagorno Karabakh authorities appreciate the active U.S. involvement
in the negotiations, and hope that the incumbent Administration will
continue efforts towards peace and regional stability.
Regrettably, we are still far from a final settlement of the conflict. In
continuation of its policy of military threats and terror, Azerbaijan is
not implementing the commitments it undertook regarding the peaceful
settlement of the conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group.
Moreover, the Azerbaijani government continues to spread the most malicious
rhetoric about all Armenians raising young Azerbaijanis with hatred towards
people most of them never met.
A culmination of such policy could be seen just a few months ago in the
pardon, promotion and nationwide glorification of an Azerbaijani military
officer, who was convicted to life imprisonment in Hungary for perpetuating
a brutal hate crime in the most barbaric and cowardly way – attacking a
fellow Armenian student with an ax while he was asleep in his unlocked
dormitory room. Let me be clear, in addition to all of the political and
legal consequences of this crime, the attitude of the Azerbaijani
government reflects a type of moral weakness that is humiliating to the
nation it claims to represent.
I would like to note that President Barack Obama and Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton reacted swiftly and clearly in condemning Azerbaijan, as
did many members of Congress.
Another obstacle to the peace process is Azerbaijan’s efforts to completely
isolate the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and the Republic of Armenia. A clear
manifestation of that policy is the creation of all sorts of problems for
the reopening of Stepanakert airport, including threats to shoot down
civilian aircraft.
It is worth mentioning, that a reopening of the Stepanakert airport pursues
solely civilian and humanitarian objectives, including realization of such
basic human right as freedom of movement. It could also serve as a
confidence building measure contributing towards progress in the
negotiation process under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs
that was also noted in our letter the UN General Secretary that was
circulated in the UN this November.
Unfortunately, this is the type of security environment we live in today;
our nation and the international mediators must deal with these callousness
and these threats with utmost seriousness. That is why we believe that a
stronger and unequivocal reaction from the international community to
Azerbaijan’s destructive stance could ultimately decrease tensions, and
facilitate a climate that is more conducive to peace.
Dear Friends,
Artsakh remains convinced that the recent political trends on the world
arena, particularly emergence of new democracies and reinforcement of human
rights, will only facilitate further international efforts for finding a
solution that would ensure a safe and prosperous development of the two
neighbors – the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijani Republic.
In the meantime, we will remain on path towards a type of statehood that
will be able to provide all the rights and freedoms any people deserve. We
will make sure Artsakh continues to strengthen, both institutionally and
socially.
Here, the international community has a role to play. The current
international status of NKR should not be a barrier for our cooperation.
Moreover, ignoring the fundamental rights of our people can be and often is
interpreted in Baku as an indirect support to its policy of imposing a
collective punishment on the people of Nagorno Karabakh. We believe that an
unimpeded involvement of NKR in international processes would not only
ensure implementation of the concept of equal and comprehensive security,
based on our shared values, but it would also send an appropriate signal to
Azerbaijan to abandon its revanchist aspirations, and show political will
for the sake of a stable and predictable South Caucasus, for the sake of
our children’s future.
In recent years, the events and developments worldwide come to prove that
implementation of the right of peoples to self-determination remains the
most optimal way to resolve international disputes. And this inspires us;
inspires us to overcome all the hardships on our path to the logical
outcome of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
Initiatives around the globe in support of Nagorno Karabakh’s right for
self-determination, such as the resolutions adopted in Rhode Island and
Massachusetts, in Australia’s New South Wales and elsewhere, demonstrate
that the people of Artsakh should remain convinced that the universal
values of human rights and liberties will ultimately prevail over tyranny
and aggressive militarism, bringing about our shared vision of peace and
stability to the region of South Caucasus.
Artsakh is 21 years old. 21 years of ordeals and achievements. We have done
a lot, but, of course, we understand that more remains to be done. The NKR
authorities will continue addressing the most pressing economic and
political challenges. And we hope that the United States will remain by our
side in our efforts and aspirations.
I thank you for your attention.
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2012-12-09-karabakh-fm-axe-murderer-s-glorification-humiliating-for-azerbaijan