Members of Congress Express Continued Support for
Political, Economic and Democratic Development
of Artsakh
as it Adopts Constitution
PRESS RELEASE
December 13, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC – The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), sent a letter to NKR President Arkady Ghoukasian congratulating him on the adoption of the NKR Constitution and expressing their full support for “Nagorno Karabakh’s political and democratic development”. They also emphasized the importance of establishing a free and democratic society, saying that “the adoption of the first-ever Constitution of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh, is a key milestone on this path.”
The constitutional referendum held last Sunday is a logical continuation of the state-building process that started with declaration of Artsakh’s independence in 1991.
“The charter was drafted after most progressive Western constitutions while reflecting Artsakh’s own experience of the past 15 years and our own vision of the future, and as such it will pave the way to further strengthening of Artsakh as a sovereign state and promote greater democratic and economic development of our country,” said NKR Representative in the United States Vardan Barseghian.
Approved by the overwhelming majority of Artsakh’s population in presence of about 100 international and local observers, the NKR Constitution specifically notes that NKR is a “sovereign, democratic, rule of law, and social state”. NKR government structure is based on democratic principle of separation of power and consists of executive, legislative and judiciary branches. The state guarantees basic human rights, such as freedom of assembly, speech, and religion.
“The referendum conducted on December 10, 2006 on the NKR Constitution meets most of the standards of the OSCE, the Council of Europe and other international structures applied to democratic elections and referenda. The counting of the votes in the polling stations visited by us was exercised effectively and transparently,” read the statement of the international observers.
Barseghian thanked Representatives Pallone and Knollenberg for their unwavering commitment, outstanding vision, as well as critical support of Artsakh’s successful efforts to build a free, democratic and prosperous country.
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.
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(The following is the full text of the letter of the Congressmen to President Arkady Ghoukasian on December 11, 2006. To request a PDF copy of the Co Chair’s letter, please write to info@nkrusa.org)
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December 11, 2006
H.E. Arkady Ghoukasian
President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
20th February Street, 3
Stepanakert, NKR
Dear President Ghoukasian,
We are writing to express our continued support for Nagorno Karabakh’s political and democratic development. The adoption of the first-ever Constitution of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh, in a popular referendum last Sunday is a key milestone on this path.
We are pleased to see your citizens unwavering determination to set an example of important democratic practices in the South Caucasus. Artsakh’s Constitution embodies your nation’s values to live in a free and fair society, where human rights and economic opportunities are enjoyed by all. Societies that are fundamentally free and fair are the most successful, contributing to international security and progress along the way.
In addition, these universal values that both of our nations espouse create an unshakable bond between the United States and Artsakh. A bond that transcends short-term political or economic considerations, it provides the most long-lasting basis for friendship between our governments and our citizens.
We also recall the referendum on independence that the people of Artsakh held in December, 1991, and which laid legal and political foundations for the establishment of your Republic. That referendum went ahead in spite of Azerbaijani rockets and bullets raining on Artsakh and was a reflection of true civic activism. This year’s referendum, held amid Azerbaijani threats of renewed violence, was yet another sign of true patriotism.
Please be assured that we will remain by your side, as the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh, continues to pursue its freedom, security and development.
Sincerely,
[signed]
JOE KNOLLENBERG
Member of Congress |
[signed]
FRANK PALLONE, JR.
Member of Congress
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This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the USA on behalf of the Government of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. 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.
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