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ARTSAKH NEWSLETTER/ May 1-15, 2012For Immediate Release ~ May 15, 2012 Contact: Press Service of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic's Office in the USA Artsakh Newsletter summarizes key developments in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh and is prepared by the NKR Office in the United States. SECURITY & POLITICS On May 9, Artsakh celebrated the 20th anniversary of the liberation of Shushi (http://www.nkrusa.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?id=30). Armenian President, hundreds of guests attended the festive events in Stepanakert and Shushi that included a large-scale military parade. Full coverage of the parade at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XsH6rabKU3Q Shortly after a serier of Azerbaijani cease-fire violations on Armenia’s north-eastern border that left several Armenian army servicemen killed, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs declared their plans to visit the region to investigate the incidents. Following their visit they issued a statement, in which they expressed “concern over recent incidents along the frontlines, and urged the sides to exercise restraint and refrain from retaliation”. Full statement at: http://www.osce.org/mg/90492 “The people of Nagorno-Karabakh must decide their destiny”, Uruguay’s Foreign Minister Luis Almagro stated while in Yerevan. He condemned military rhetoric, and emphasized the importance to respect human rights, particularly the right to freedom and self-determination. More details at: http://news.am/eng/news/104048.html On separate occasions, parliaments of Sweden (http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/106718/) and Lithuania (http://artsakhtert.com/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=671:-anti-armenian-bill-on-karabakh-fails-to-pass-lithuanian-seimas&catid=1:all&Itemid=1) rejected initiatives to pass Azerbaijani government-sponsored resolutions. Both Riksdag and Seimas reiterated their support to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group. May 5 was the deadline for candidates applications ahead of presidential elections in Artsakh set on July 19. According to the Central Electoral Commission, the four candidates are the incumbent President Bako Sahakyan; deputy of the NKR National Assembly, former deputy minister of defense Vitaliy Balasanyan; deputy rector of the Stepanakert branch of the Armenian State Agrarian University Arkady Soghomonyan and former Askeran district executive staff member Valeri Khachatryan. ECONOMY & BUSINESS New multifunctional Europe business center was opened in Stepanakert. The center will accommodate business offices, hotel and bank. More details at: http://www.president.nkr.am/en/news/visits/1696/ Artsakh continues developing energy sphere. The ongoing investment programs and development of hydro energy is expected to turn the republic into energy exporter within years. Read more at: http://artsakhtert.com/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=656:-reliable-income-for-investors-provided&catid=6:economy&Itemid=18 SOCIETY NKR Statistical Service says Artsakh’s population has increased in January – March 2012 by 276 persons. President Sahakian awarded art workers on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Stepanakert Musical College. Read more at: http://artsakhtert.com/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=674:-president-bako-sahakyan-signed-several-decrees&catid=11:official&Itemid=23 Eleven individuals were granted amnesty by the decree of the NKR president on the occasion of the Triple holiday in Artsakh. More details at: http://artsakhtert.com/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=654:-on-4-may-president-of-the-artsakh-republic-bako-sahakyan-signed-a-decree-on-the-results-of-considering-pardon-applications&catid=11:official&Itemid=23 HISTORICAL REFERENCES 1991 Ethnic Cleansing Campaign Against Armenians: Operation “Ring” The spring of 1991 marked a new, violent phase in Azerbaijan’s policy of ethnic cleansing against Armenians from their historic land and homes both within Nagorno Karabakh and outside its then administrative borders. As a result of this operation encouraged by Azerbaijan and conducted primarily by Soviet internal security forces tens of thousands of Armenians were deported from their homes, dozens of Armenian settlements were completely devastated, destroyed and depopulated. This aggression marked an escalation of the Karabakh conflict into an open military confrontation. Read more at: http://nkr.am/en/news/2012-05-02/423/ 1992 Liberation of Shushi The liberation of Shushi on May 9, 1992 was one of the major successes of the Armenian forces in Artsakh during the 1991-1994 war. This military victory also symbolized the rebirth of the Armenian spirit that resonated far beyond Artsakh, to all corners of the world. In the following days Artsakh Defense Forces established a vital land-link with Armenia proper. Fierce battles continued throughout 1992-1994, but the Shushi operation made all subsequent victories possible. More details at: http://shushi.org/en/liberation.php 1994 Cease Fire Agreement May 12 marks an anniversary of the cease fire agreement signed by Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia. Azerbaijan, having sustained major military reversals and with its armed units pushed out of most of Artsakh and adjacent territories, was forced to sign a cease-fire agreement. Despite frequent violations of this agreement, the document remains one of the key achievements of the Karabakh peace process that helped re-establish stability in the South Caucasus region. Cease fire agreement text at: http://nkrusa.org/hot_topic/hot_topics.php?id=13 Read more at: http://news.am/eng/news/105135.html About the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh The Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh, was established in 1991 basing on a declaration of the local legislature, and results of a subsequent nation-wide referendum. The people of Artsakh defended their choice in a war unleashed by Azerbaijan. The Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh has emerged as a democratic, rule-of-law state with capable armed forces, a growing market economy, and an independent foreign policy. *** We would like to hear from you. Please send your comments to Press Service at: info@nkrusa.org Please visit our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ArtsakhOnline *** This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States on behalf of the government of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh. The NKR Office is registered with the U.S. government under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is based in Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government, academia and the public representing the official policies and interests of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh. The NKR Office is registered with the U.S. Government under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States 1334 G ST. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005 Tel: (202) 223-4330; Email: info@nkrusa.org Web: www.nkrusa.org
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