Artsakh newsletter

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Re: Artsakh newsletter

October 1-15, 2013


POLITICS

President Bako Sahakyan visited France and Belgium. While in Paris, NKR head of state and a delegation that includes deputy prime minister Artur Agabekyan and foreign minister Karen Mirzoyan met with representatives of the French Armenian community and members of ‘Support to Karabakh’ association. In Lyons, Sahakyan awarded the NKR’s “Gratitude” medal to the French chapter of the Hayastan Fund at an event to mark its 20th anniversary. In Brussels, Sahakyan addressed the annual conference of the European Armenians and met with Belgian-Armenian Chamber of Commerce. The president also met with the head of the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group Eleni Theocharous and a group of her colleagues.

An international conference “Artsakh’s National Liberation Struggle: From Gulistan [Treaty of 1813] to Today” took place in Stepanakert, involving a number of Armenian and foreign experts. A prominent British human rights lawyer, Geoffrey Robertson QC cited NKR’s accomplishments in institution-building and argued that “it is time to recognize Nagorno Karabakh as an independent state.” Also speaking at the conference was the former Ambassador of Germany to Armenia Hans Johan Schmidt and French parliamentarian Francois Rochebloine, who chairs the France-Artsakh Friendship Circle.

A delegation from the Mayor’s Office of the French town of Les-Pennes-Mirabeau, a suburb of Marseille, visited the NKR district center of Martuni to meet mayor Mher Khachatryan and other local officials to discuss cooperation opportunities.

ECONOMY

The Hayastan Fund’s annual Thanksgiving Day Telethon will be dedicated to the construction of the Vardenis-Mardakert highway that will provide an important additional link between Armenia and 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.

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Re: Artsakh newsletter

October 15-31, 2013


POLITICS

In yet another violation of the 1994 cease-fire agreement, Azerbaijani forces fired on civilian and military vehicles traveling on the border road in Armenia’s north-east. The attack claimed the life of Private Garik Poghosyan (born in 1994), and three other servicemen were hospitalized. The Armenian military took retaliatory measures.

A routine OSCE-led monitoring of the Line of Contact in Karabakh had to be cancelled after shots were fired from the Azerbaijani side. The mediators issued a statement calling for a comprehensive investigation of the incident.

Cease-fire issues were discussed in separate meetings of Artsakh’s President and foreign minister with the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office in Stepanakert.

Artsakh President and delegation visited Belgium and the Netherlands, where they met with members of the Belgian and Dutch legislatures, as well as representatives of the Dutch Armenian community and Brussels-based "European Friends of Armenia."

In Yerevan, Artsakh’s President and foreign minister met with the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Philippe Lefort.

In his address at the UN General Assembly in New York, Armenia’s Permanent Representative to UN, Ambassador Garen Nazarian noted that “Azerbaijan rejected confidence-building measures proposed by international mediators” that could help prevent cease-fire violations and associated loss of life on both sides.

The Foreign Policy Journal published an article “Azerbaijan’s Interpretation of Article 41 of the UN Charter: Rhetoric vs. Facts” by Aram Avetisyan of the NKR Office in Washington. The article challenged Azerbaijan’s policy of isolation towards Armenia and Artsakh in the context of international law.

ECONOMY

The annual Thanksgiving Day Telethon scheduled by the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund this November 28 will help raise funds for the construction of the Vardenis-Mardakert highway. Artsakh authorities call the project crucial for a comprehensive development of the entire republic, with the road serving important economic and security functions.

As part of fund’s campaign, Artsakh Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Aghabekyan visited the state of California to meet with American-Armenian community members.

SOCIETY

New equipment to perform plastic and reconstructive surgeries were provided to the newly-built Stepanakert Central Republican Hospital by Dr. Hratch Karamanoukian and Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian as part of their continued support for Artsakh’s medical sphere.

A Museum of Carpets was opened at the Center of Arts in Shushi. The museum collection comprises over 250 carpets and rugs. Watch an Artsakh TV report.

Artsakh Newsletter summarizes key developments in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh and is prepared by the NKR Office in the United States.

We would like to hear from you. Please send your comments to Press Service at: [email protected]
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Re: Artsakh newsletter

November 1-15, 2013

POLITICS

Presidents Bako Sahakyan and Serge Sargsyan visited several army units and attended military exercises in Artsakh and discussed planning priorities with senior Defense Army officers.

Following their regional trip, co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group announced plans to organize another meeting between Armenian and Azeri presidents later this year.

The Artsakh people’s struggle for freedom and independence was discussed during the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) held in Busan, South Korea. The delegation of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin called upon the WCC to condemn the double standards on this issue.

ECONOMY

The annual Thanksgiving Day Telethon scheduled by the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund this November 28 will help raise funds for the construction of the Vardenis - Mardakert highway. Artsakh authorities call the project crucial for a comprehensive development of the entire republic, with the road serving important economic and security functions.

NKR minister of agriculture and delegation visited the Netherlands to study local practices.

A conference titled “Tourism in Karabakh” was organized in Stepanakert with participation of a number of tourism related organizations and operators.

SOCIETY

NKR President Bako Sahakyan received Belgian-Armenian philanthropist and businessman Andre Gumuchdjian to discuss issues related to discuss his involvement in projects in Artsakh.

A new elementary school was inaugurated in Hovsepavan village, Askeran Region.


Artsakh has announced plans for a new census to be held in 2015.


HISTORICAL REFERENCE

November 12 marks the official opening of the Goris-Stepanakert highway. The road of life as it is known became Artsakh’s main on the ground connection with Armenia. The reconstruction of Goris-Stepanakert highway started in 1995, a year after the establishment of the cease-fire, and was completed in November 1999. The realization of the project became possible through the efforts of Armenians all over the world who thus contributed to the security and development of Artsakh.

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Re: Artsakh newsletter

November 15-30, 2013


POLITICS

Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan visited Los Angeles to participate in the annual telethon of the “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund and to meet Diaspora leaders and public figures. The funds raised through the 2013 campaign will benefit the construction of the Vardenis-Mardakert highway. Prior to visiting U.S., the Artsakh delegation headed by President Sahakyan traveled to Paris to participate in the Telethon 2013 events.

Armenian President Serge Sargsyan met his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev, in what the first meeting since January 2012. The meeting in Vienna, Austria, for a tête-à-tête discussion of the Karabakh peace preceded calls to both presidents by Secretary of State John Kerry. In a statement issued by the Co-Chairs after the summit, the mediators stated that the presidents agreed “to advance negotiations toward a peaceful settlement” and “to meet again in the months ahead.”

The United States, Russia and EU welcomed the meeting of the presidents to advance the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Meanwhile, Switzerland, Brazil and Japan separately expressed their support of the efforts and mediation framework of the OSCE Minsk Group to find a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

In comments following the summit, NKR Foreign Ministry stressed the importance of “the resumption of high level meetings between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan after a long break.” The Ministry also reiterated that “real progress in the settlement process could only be reached by … the restoration of full-format negotiations with direct and immediate participation of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in all its stages.”

The U.S. City of Highland, California, established Sister City Relationships with the Artsakh City of Berdzor, Kashatagh region. Earlier, the City Council of Highland adopted another proclamation that recognized the independence of NKR and urged the U.S. President and Congress to support Artsakh’s independence and democracy.

ECONOMY

“Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund concluded its 16th international telethon securing more than $22 million in donations and pledges. Read more details here.

While launching the discussions over next year’s state budget, President Sahakyan stressed the importance of maintaining the social orientation and special attention to development projects in 2014.

SOCIETY

Well-known singer, composer and producer, the son of the world-famous Spanish tenor Placido F. Domingo Jr. arrived in Artsakh to perform a concert in Stepanakert organized with the cooperation of the “Mezzo Production” and the Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs of NKR.

American television and radio host Larry King accepted the invitation to visit Artsakh after his meeting with President Sahakyan in Los Angeles. The former CNN host also made a donation to Telethon 2013.

Artsakh Newsletter summarizes key developments in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh and is prepared by the NKR Office in the United States.

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Artsakh Newsletter/ January 15-31, 2014

POLITICS

Artsakh Defense Army junior sergeant Armen Hovhannisyan, born in 1994, was killed on the Line of Contact while repelling an attack by Azerbaijani forces. On the night of January 19-20, Artsakh Defense Army units stopped two simultaneous night-attacks by Azeri forces in the northeastern (Jraberd) and southeastern (Korgan) directions, and forced them to retreat to their original positions inflicting considerable personnel and material losses on the enemy. NKR President Bako Sahakyan awarded Armen Hovhannisyan posthumously by the Artsakh Medal of Courage “for bravery shown during the defense of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic state border.”

The NKR Foreign Ministry strongly condemned provocative actions of Azerbaijan in its statement that stressed aggressive nature of Azerbaijani actions and“seriously undermine the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries aimed at peaceful settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh.”

In another separate incident, Armenian Army Private Karen Galstyan (1994) was killed on the Line of Contacts as a result of Azerbaijani sniper fire. NKR President Bako Sahakyan awarded Karen Galstyan posthumously by "For Service in Battle" medal.

In a statement, U.S. Member of Congress Brad Sherman urged holding Azerbaijan accountable for its actions. Rep. Sherman stressed that “Azerbaijan continues to show that it is not serious about establishing peaceful relations with Artsakh and repeatedly creates obstacles to the peace process.” Meanwhile, another member of U.S. Congress Adam Shchiff in his interview stressed that those violations are supported implicitly by the Aliev administration, and international community has to speak out strongly about it. “I think we have to stop supporting them and drive home the message that this kind of dangerous, provocative, and fatal conduct is just not going to persist,” said Rep. Schiff.

The U.S. State Department once again reiterated its position that the use of force will not resolve Karabakh conflict, and called on all parties to refrain from the use or threat of force. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry called the conflicting sides to take additional measures to stabilize the situation, including introduction of mechanisms under the February 4, 1995 agreement on strengthening of ceasefire.

The three OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs expressed their deep concern over recent violence and stressed that those incidents “undermine negotiations and diminish the prospects for peace.”
Amid the recent escalation, Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan met in Paris in a previously agreed meeting. Meeting with OSCE mediators, Armenian Foreign Minister pointed to the increasing number of cease fire violations and continuing bellicose rhetoric of Azerbaijan that impede the peace process.

Spokesman for the NKR President David Babayan said that NKR continues informing the mediators about the situation on the borders. President’s press secretary expressed concern over international community’s failure to condemn Azerbaijan directly.

The Los Angeles City Council has adopted a resolution, introduced by Councilmember Paul Krekorian, recognizing the independence of Republic of Artsakh and honoring its citizens. The resolution also calls upon the international community to “give appropriate recognition to the Republic of Artsakh as a free, independent, and sovereign state.”

Freedom House ranked Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh as "Partly Free" in its "Freedom in the World 2014" annual report. Azerbaijan once again was ranked as "Not Free.” Freedom House also indicated a decline in civil liberties in Azerbaijan.

ECONOMY

NKR President Bako Sahakyan stressed the importance of development of banking sector in a meeting with “Ardshininvestbank" chair Mher Grigoryan.

The president chaired a meeting with participation of Hayastan Fund representatives that discussed issues related to construction of Martakert-Vardenis highway, stressing the importance of conducting the project with high quality and within a fixed time frame.

President Sahakyan visited Askeran and Hadrut regions to discuss local issues. Watch an Artsakh TV report.


Armenia and Artsakh took a part in Fitur International Tourism Trade fair organized in Madrid, Spain. Watch an Artsakh TV report.


SOCIETY

AGBU, along with the Cherchian Family Foundation and NKR authorities, continues providing assistance to the Syrian-Armenians who left for Artsakh due to continuing military conflict in Syria. Through the project tractors and other agricultural supplies were provided to Syrian-Armenian families in Artsakh.

President Sahakyan honored Armenian Assembly of America board member Annie Totah with the Medal of Gratitude for her contribution in developing and promoting Artsakh’s interest and international recognition. The medal was awarded at the Assembly's annual holiday briefing and reception at the Embassy of Armenia.

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MEDIA ALERT: INTERVIEW TO CANADIAN STUDENT NEWSPAPERS

Date: February 07, 2014
To: Media Colleagues
Re: Canadian “The PA Herald” and AESPUL Student Association Newspapers
PublishInterview on Artsakh


On February 5, 2014 Canadian The Prince Harold Herald student newspaper and AESPUL Student Association of the Laval University published interview with Artsakh’s Representative.

The interview covers formation and development of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, and prospects for settlement of the Karabakh-Azerbaijan confrontation.

Click here for the full article in English.

The article is also available in French.

* * *

The Nagorno Karabakh Republic

Interview by Francois-Pierre Cartolano

Published: February 5, 2014

A small (11,450 km²) nation of around 140,000 inhabitants, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), or Artsakh Republic, is at in an ongoing confrontation with Azerbaijan. The roots of this conflict stem from Soviet dictator Josef Stalin’s 1921 arbitrary decision to redraw Armenia’s border. In doing so, he gave away the region of Nagorno-Karabakh (populated mainly by Armenians) to the Azerbaijan SSR, sowing the seeds of discontent that would erupt more than sixty years later. In 1988, when the USSR began to crumble, all the problems effectively suppressed for decades by the Soviet system sprang up across the Union. Clashes erupted in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, which had officially appealed for reunification with Armenia. On December 10 1991, the NKR declared independence. This triggered open warfare between Stepanakert (NKR’s capital) and Baku (Azerbaijan’s capital) which would last until 1994, and end with a ceasefire. Since then, the NKR is de facto independent, but its existence is continually threatened by Azerbaijan’s bellicose irredentism. Relatively unknown in the West, the NKR is a fascinating example of tenacity and determination. To learn more, we asked four questions to Mr. Robert Avetisyan, Permanent Representative of the NKR to the United States.

Q: What is Nagorno Karabakh’s current geopolitical status?

An.: The Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh has been proclaimed in 1991 in the process of disintegration of the Soviet Union, in full compliance with then acting USSR legislation and international norms and standards. In a referendum that took place on December 10, 99 per cent of the participants voted in favor of independence of Nagorno Karabakh. In spite of the peaceful and legitimate nature of the free expression of will of the people of Karabakh Azerbaijan responded with anti-Armenian pogroms and ethnic cleansing followed by a full-scale military aggression against the NKR in 1991-1994. In 1992 the International community has mandated the Minsk Group of the OSCE, currently co-chaired by the USA, Russia and France to conduct mediation for the settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh. In May 1994 a cease-fire agreement was signed by Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan, joined by Armenia and mediated by Russia. Today, despite its unrecognized status the Nagorno Karabakh Republic is an established state, with its Constitution, functional civil society, dynamically developing economy, effective governance and all the attributes and institutions of statehood. Since independence the republic has conducted several rounds of elections on various levels, all of which have been praised by international observers as free and transparent.

Q.: What is the state of Armenia -Nagorno Karabakh friendship/cooperation?

An.: The two Armenian states the Republic of Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic are populated by a people which have the same identity, history and culture, but for decades have been separated by the fate of history. Today they are mutually interconnected in all spheres of life. From the very beginning of the Karabakh movement Armenia has supported the people of Karabakh in its aspirations for freedom. Armenia has on numerous occasions stated of its readiness to support the decision of the people of Karabakh.

Q.: With continued bellicose speeches from Azerbaijan’s President, are renewed border aggressions to be expected in 2014?

An.: The aggressive policy of Azerbaijan manifested in its continuing bellicose rhetoric and military build up, is a constant threat to peace and security in the region. Anti-Armenian propaganda has become a state policy in Azerbaijan, which further deepens the gap between the two peoples, and postpones confidence-building – a minimal, yet a crucial initial requirement for setting the grounds for a lasting and durable settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Until the destructive policy of Azerbaijan and its regular violations of the cease –fire regime are strongly condemned and receive an adequate assessment of the international community there will always be a danger of resumption of aggression by Azerbaijan.

Q.: What is the state of Artsakh Army?

An.: As a nation, which has faced military aggression, the NKR pays special attention to the security of its population. The NKR defense army is strong enough to ensure the inviolability of its borders and rebuke any aggression. The balance of power maintained in the region by the NKR Defense Army is the main factor of non-resumption of full-scale military actions.

For more info:

Official website of the President of the NKR: www.president.nkr.am
Website of the NKR MFA: www.nkr.am
Website of the NKR Office in Washington: www.nkrusa.org
NKR Defense Army: www.nkr.mil.am

* * *

This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the USA (NKR Office) 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.

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 American public representing the official policies and interests of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh.

* * *

OFFICE OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC IN THE USA
1334 G Street N.W., Washington, DC 20005
Tel: (202) 223-4330
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.nkrusa.org
Contact: Press Service of the NKR Office in the USA

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POLITICS & SECURITY

NKR government has filed charges against two Azerbaijani citizens suspected in the illegal border crossing, illegal arms possession, murder and attempted murder in the New Shaumyan (formerly Kelbajar) district of the NKR in recent days. The two individuals apprehended and a third, who was shot and killed in one of the attacks, are the prime suspects in the violent death of 17-year-old Smbat Tsakanyan, who was missing since July 4, and the July 11 shooting in which Sargis Abrahamyan, 42, major in the Armenian army, was killed and Karine Davtyan, 37, a civilian, seriously wounded. Armenia’s Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan expressed suspicion that the suspects may have acted on the behest of Azerbaijani government.


Azerbaijani forces continued violating the cease-fire agreement. On July11, Movses Gasparyan,20, was killed on the southeastern portion of the Line of Contact (LoC) by hostile fire. Artsakh President posthumously awarded Gasparyan with medal “For Combat Service.”Gasparyan, who resided in Russia, returned to serve his homeland in the army. On July 14, a civilian Arvid Danielyan was killed by hostile fire while performing field work near the eastern portion of the LoC. Earlier, Azerbaijani military units kept Tavush province’s border village of Chinari under fire for hours. In each case, Armenian forces retaliated.

French President François Hollande suggested Paris as a venue for a summit of presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. As a co-chairing country of the OSCE Minsk Group, France called upon the conflicting sides to refrain from making inflammatory statements and build a climate of trust. The other two Co-Chairs, U.S. and Russia have also condemned belligerent statements and actions calling the sides to continue peaceful dialogue.



Newly appointed ambassador of Armenia to the U.S., Tigran Sargsyan presented his credentials to President Barack Obama. Amb. Sargsyan replaced Tatoul Markarian.

ECONOMY AND BUSINESS

A group of Armenian businessmen from California, led by ARF Western US Central Committee Chairman Dr. Viken Hovsepian, visited Artsakh to explore investment opportunities and meet key officials. President Bako Sahakyan stressed the important role of Armenian Diaspora in the formation of a modern business culture in Artsakh during the meeting with American-Armenian businessmen. Watch Artsakh TV report.

Artsakh Prime Minister Ara Haroutyunyan received Diaspora-Armenian benefactor Levon Nazaryan, whose family sponsored the reconstruction of the vocational school’s hostel building in Shushi.

SOCIETY & CULTURE



A delegation from the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau (a suburb of Marseilles, population 20,000) led by its mayor Michel Amiel, visited Artsakh. The town has a sister-city relationship with Artsakh’s Martuni

"Artsakhpress" discussed repatriation issues in its interview with Elina Mkhitaryan, head of the Repatriation and Migration Division of the Territorial Administration and Resettlement Department.



The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s affiliate in France jointly with Artsakh government launched the construction of community centers in Shosh and Badara villages of Askeran region. The delegation of the Fund’s French affiliate visited Artsakh to meet NKR authorities and asses the ongoing projects. Watch an Artsakh TV report.

Shushi hosted an International Sculpture Symposium at the State Museum of Fine Arts entitled “Peace to Artsakh” and devoted to the 20th anniversary of the ceasefire agreement in the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict.



Archeologists revealed a unique early Christian crypt during excavations in Tigranakert, an ancient Armenian site in Artsakh.


Dear reader, please note that effective June 15, 2014, the new contact phone number of the NKR Office is +1 (202) 481-3341

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Septembetr 1-15, 2014

Issue# 95

POLITICS & SECURITY




Armenian President, foreign delegations and guests visited Artsakh on the occasion of the Artsakh Republic’s Day on September 2.



he U.S. Secretary of State met with Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents to discuss the Karabakh peace process on the sidelines of NATO summit in Newport, Wales.

Parliament of the Basque Country adopted a motion supporting Artsakh’s democratic sovereignty. Foreign Minister Mirzoyan visited the Basque Country and held meetings with regional and municipal officials. Watch an Artsakh TV report.

California State Senate passed the joint resolution AJR 32 supporting the independence of Artsakh, and calling upon the U.S. President and Congress to endorse the “self-determination and democratic independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic”. The Parliament and Foreign Ministry welcomed the adoption.



Following the intense fighting along the Line of Contact in early August, calm has returned to the cease-fire regime. NKR returned an Azerbaijani teenager who had crossed NKR-Azerbaijan border by accident this September 5.

Several European parliamentarian delegations, including from Lithuania and France visited Stepanakert.



NKR parliament launches official website. Visit www.nankr.am for information on structure, legislative activity and more.


ECONOMY AND BUSINESS



NKR government is discussing budget spending for FY 2015-2017; a10 to 18% salary increase for budget workers is planned next year.

Karabakh Silk Factory is planning to hire 450 people for new production facilities.

GevGroup LLC, a textile company, has increased output ten-fold since its launch in 2013.


SOCIETY & CULTURE

President Bako Sahakyan received President of the American University of Armenia Armen Der Kiureghian to discuss cooperation in higher education.

Armenian-American author Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte presented her book “Nowhere: A Story of Exile” in Artsakh. The book tells Anna’s personal story before and during the anti-Armenian pogroms in Baku.

Lebanese-Armenian “Ari” (Artsakh Roots Investment) Fund launched a large-scale project of building 150 houses in Aghavno village in Artsakh’s Kashatagh region. 30 families have moved into new homes, 20 more expect to move in by the end of the year. Watch Artsakh TV report.



A new state-funded geological museum opened doors in Shushi.


INTERVIEWS & PUBLICATIONS

“Independence and security of Artsakh are exceptional values and not a subject to negotiation”, said President Sahakyan told the “Artsakhpress” News Agency.



The European Center for Geopolitical Analysis of Germany published an article "Nagorno Karabakh and the Right of Peoples to Self-Determination" by NKR Representative to Germany Harutyun Grigorian.

The Washington-based the Hill published an article by Mark Dietzen, Executive Director of the Americans for Artsakh titled “Azerbaijan — not Armenia — is the threat-maker in the Karabakh conflict.”


HISTORICAL REFERENCE



On September 2, 2014 the Artsakh people celebrated the 23rd Day of Republic. On this day in 1991, the NKR was proclaimed in an effort to end decades of discrimination and oppression within Soviet Azerbaijan, and redress Soviet dictators’ arbitrary decision of 1921 that placed the Armenian entity as autonomy into newly created Soviet Azerbaijan.

On September 2, 1991, Nagorno Karabakh’s legislature, reflecting the will of their electorate, proclaimed the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Azerbaijan responded with political blackmail, economic blockade and full-scale military aggression. Through determination and sacrifice, the people of Artsakh defended their right to live in freedom and dignity under the government of their own choosing. “September 2, 1991 was a turning point in the life of Artsakh people and became the starting point in implementation of our centuries-long dreams”, said President Bako Sahakyan in his congratulatory address.

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November 1-15, 2014

Issue# 98

SECURITY & POLITICS

Azerbaijan shot down an unarmed military helicopter of the NKR Defense Army in a unprecedented violation of the 1994 cease-fire while it was on a training mission. All three crewmembers were killed. Artsakh Defense Ministry reported that the helicopter was not armed. Azeri forces continued to fire preventing the access to the incident area. The international community, including the OSCE Minsk Group, U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce and other members of Congress condemned the unprecedented cease-fire violation by Azeri forces, offered condolences to the families of casualties, and called for an investigation of the incident and respect of cease-fire. Watch Artsakh TV report.



Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan led the delegation to Artsakh to observe the military joint operative-tactical military exercises of Armenia’s and Artsakh’s armed forces. Armenian and Artsakh Presidents attended the military maneuvers

[

Full-scale operational and tactical joint military exercises of Armenian and Artsakh military units, with participation of reservists from Armenia, took place in Artsakh under the command of NKR President and Commander-in-Chief of the NKR Defense Army Bako Sahakyan


NKR Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the Azerbaijan’s downing of the NKR Defense Army helicopter in a statement, stressing that “This criminal and adventurous provocation by Azerbaijan has not only become a gross violation of the obligations taken by Azerbaijani side to find a peaceful settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh, but also demonstrated its total disregard towards the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries and the international community as a whole.”



An Artsakh parliamentary delegation, led by NA Chairman Ashot Ghulyan, visited Armenia to take part in another session of the Armenia-Artsakh Inter-Parliamentary Committee on Cooperation. The NKR Speaker and Artsakh delegation were received by Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan. During the meeting, both sides stressed that a stable and strong Armenia is the main guarantor of Artsakh’s security and peace. Earlier, a joint meeting of the NKR and Armenian parliaments’ Standing Committees on Foreign Relations took place in Artsakh to discuss both Republics’ foreign policy agenda. The Armenian delegates were also received by NKR President Bako Sahakyan.

Parliament of Spain’s autonomous region of Navarre adopted a document that praises Artsakh’s democracy and stresses the importance of NKR’s direct participation in any negotiation format.

Burbank City of California adopted a proclamation recognizing the town of Hadrut of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic as a “Friendship City”.



ECONOMY AND BUSINESS




The annual Thanksgiving Day Telethon scheduled by the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund this November 27 will help raise funds for the construction of the Vardenis-Mardakert highway. The road serves important economic and security functions. Watch Artsakh TV report on Vardenis-Martakert highway. Information

Hayastan Foundation Toronto, the local affiliate of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, organized its annual fundraising banquet at the AGBU Alex Manougian Hall with NKR Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan as a keynote speaker. The event raised more than a half million dollars for construction and reconstruction projects in Ivanyan, Shosh & Nor Maragha communities in Artsakh.

Artsakh “Great Partners” company started exporting its clothes and other products to the European market



SOCIETY & CULTURE

NKR Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan met students and professors of Artsakh’s Mesrop Mashtots University to discuss the Karabakh peace process and issues related to the NKR

A number of heads of NKR communities participated in the local governance workshop organized by the NKR government to increase quality and efficiency of Artsakh’s local administrations

HISTORICAL REFERENCE



November 12 marks the official opening of the Goris-Stepanakert highway. The road of life, as it is known, became Artsakh’s main ground connection with Armenia. The reconstruction of Goris-Stepanakert highway started in 1995, a year after the establishment of the cease-fire, and was completed in November 1999. The realization of the project became possible through the efforts of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund and Armenians all over the world, who thus contributed to the security and development of Artsakh. This November 27, the annual Thanksgiving Day Telethon of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund will help raise funds for the construction of a second road - the Vardenis-Mardakert highway - that will connect Armenia and Artsakh from the North, and will strengthen Artsakh’s economy and security.

Artsakh Newsletter is prepared by the NKR Office in the United States, and covers the key developments in and around the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh

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Action Alert: Please Support the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund's Telethon 2014 Thanks giving

This year’s effort is dedicated to the construction of the Vardenis - Martakert Highway linking the northern regions of Armenia and Artsakh. The highway will connect villages and cities and promote socio-economic development, boost trade, and cooperation in the area.

“En Route Artsakh” (Դեպի Արցախ) says the slogan of the Telethon 2014 underlining the importance of this project. Connecting Armenian and Artsakh regions will provide development and economic sustainability for Artsakh and, will, undoubtedly, strengthen Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s security and independence.

The ‘Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund envisages the following convenient ways for making tax-deductible donations:

1 – Log on to www.ArmeniaFundUSA.org and make a secure online donation;
2 – Call 1-800-888-8897 and donate using a credit card or make a pledge;
3 – Text the word ARMENIA to 80088 to donate $10 from your cell phone.