BY KHATCHIG MOURADIAN
From The Armenian Weekly
State House Calls on U.S. Government to Recognize Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s Independence
PROVIDENCE, (Armenian Weekly)—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. 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.”
“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 in 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
Thank you RHODE ISLAND !!
The Turkish Armenians in Rhode Island have a really good reputation as honest, hard-working , educated and law abiding people and this played a major role in getting this legislation passed. Equally so, Turkish Armenians in the entire east coast also have a good reputation. You never hear any bad things about Armenians there. Unfortunately , a small number of bad apples in the Hayastansi /Russian-Armenian community in Southern California have damaged the reputation of all Armenians .This is a true shame because this discourages support for the Armenian cause. Honor and and a good reputation wins friends among non-Armenians and this is vital for our success
“{ Hayastansi /Russian-Armenian community in Southern California have damaged the reputation of all Armenians “}
Would you say the same thing about Russian-Jewish organized-crime gangs on the East Coast: did they damage the reputation of all Jews ?
Did Bernie Madoff stealing US$ 50 Billion damage the reputation of all Jewish Americans ?
Did the Mafia damage the reputation of all Italians on the East coast ?
Asian organized crime ?
Grow out of your Ottoman-subject mentality already: what some Armenians have done is peanuts to what others, including Anglo-Saxons, have done crime wise.
How about your buddies Bush and Cheney starting a phony illegal war that has cost 4,500 American lives, thousands of young Americans wounded and crippled, several hundred thousand innocent Iraqis dead,and cost US taxpayers US$ 800 Billion so far – while they got richer on defense company and oil stocks, and are enjoying the good life on their ranch ?
And while you were sitting safely and comfortably on your a___ in Rhode Island on the East Coast, those same Hayastansi/Russian-Armenians that you look down on were the ones who fought and died in Artsakh.
To keep it safe and Independent.
So that RI Legislature today could pass legislation to Recognize its Independence, instead of a resolution demanding Azeri troops to leave Artsakh.
And finally: how many of Turkish Americans were in Artsakh, fighting the AzeriTurk invaders ?
Really? So your going to split us up into two different groups? Your telling me while we fought for independence as well as sovereignty for NKR that we are bad apples? I don’t think your Armenian, I think you’re an Azeri pig trying to split us up into two groups of peoples. Armenians are United, and as far as where we are from. There are good and bad people from all over. Most of the Soviet/Russian Armenians actually settled on the east coast. I guess all the Armenians in Glendive are from Soviet Armenia as well. Take your Turk bull and shove it somewhere.
Somehow I am getting this impression that you are promoting Davout Oghlou’s plan in terms of creating divisions between Armenians. Davout Oghlou came up with the idea of the good Armenians and the bad ones. Well, I’m sure soon you will receive a thank you note from the Turkish authorities and a bonus, paid vacation to Turkey.
Have a safe trip.
You are Daron the Turk because you were involved in making jokes about the Armenian genocide several months ago.
What in the world is a turkish Armenian? It’s either Western Armenians or Cilicians. What turkish?
I meant Western Armenian or Armenian-Americans who were from Ottoman occupied Armenia who came here before, during and after the Armenian Genocide.
“Turkish Armenians?” Are you talking about those who while born in the Rep. of Turkey now are living and working here? Apparently not. Please don’t ever call an Armenian that unless you are talking about Turkish citizens of Armenian descent! Armenians born and living in the US are Armenian-Armericans even though their grandparents might come from Anatolia. Thank you.
obaman ter turkin yedeve chem grdzer entouni but i hope
Well it was about time since karabakh was always armenian such as back in the history
we have all the rights for a independent karabakh just like all other countrys
The Azeris claim that Armenia is Western Azerbajian and that they also own Armenia. These Azeis are nuts . The Azeris recently fired machineguns into Armenia firing on an an ambulance and a kindergarden. It was reported in Pan-Armenian news. The Armenian government should sponsor a condemnation by the UN against this warcrime.
I wonder if 43 States recognize the independence of Artsakh, the Federal Govt. & the State Dept. won’t follow suit
as in the case of recognizing or using the G. word. Despite all obstacles, it’s a giant step
in re-establishing the United-Free-Democratic-Armenia of our glorious President Woodrow Wilson’s
vision and the aim of the Armenian Nation!!!
the statement of’ karabakh was ours’ is so primitive… almost every country has built on some lands where other nations were living. Aboriginals, and american Indians are the extreme examples of that, bulgaria would easiyl say that they have a seaside to Aegean Sea then ,, year does not matter. to say that “it was our land it was our territory and bla bla” is ridiculous.
Steven – very true – as well as the Turks going back toi Mongolia
Steven Kocay, you are using the same language of M. Gaddafi, regarding the Native Indians and Aboriginies, your prime minister (the Neo-Nazi / Ottoman(Laz)) thinks, that he wants to re-emerge the Osmanli Dynasty. Gaddafi was also dreaming of a United States of Africa! Just look at where he ended up. Your black hearted boss is going to have the same fate of the “Conqueror of September”, after he backstabbed his “brother”! And now, he is doing the same to the Syrian leadership!! Arrogance will be crushed by something much more Sublime!!!!