LA City Council Recognizes Artsakh Independence

LOS ANGELES—In continuing its commitment to the right to self-determination of the people of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously adopted a resolution, introduced by Councilmember Paul Krekorian, recognizing the independence of Republic of Artsakh.

The resolution was introduced and adopted on September 10, 2013 ahead of Krekorian’s trip to Armenia and Artsakh as part of a California state and local delegation visit. The official resolution was presented to the Permanent Representative of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in Washington, Robert Avetisyan, late last week.

While visiting Artsakh, Kerkorian and the members of the delegation took part in the official inauguration of Los Angeles Friendship Park in the city of Shushi in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, with which the Los Angeles City Council had established a “friendship” pact.

During the inauguration of the Los Angeles Friendship Park in Shushi, as well as during remarks at the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Parliament, Krekorian spoke about LA’s commitment to Artsakh’s independence and highlighted the resolution adopted days before his trip to Armenia and Artsakh.

“We want to thank Councilmember Paul Krekorian and the City of Los Angeles for their leadership and for standing on the side of truth and justice and express our appreciation to each of his colleagues who joined in this effort of adopting a resolution recognizing the Independence of Artsakh,” said ANCA-WR Executive Director Elen Asatryan.

In 2012, during a visit to Los Angeles, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulian was hosted by the City Council at which time Krekorian said: “Today Artsakh is truly a democratic, sovereign and independent state,” ahead of presenting a proclamation detailing friendly relations between Los Angeles and Shushi.

During that visit, then City Councilman and current Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti welcomed Ghulian and pledged the commitment by the City of Los Angeles to the Artsakh’s people’s right to self-determination.

“Although the Federal authorities of the US have not yet recognized the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, we are the people of this country and our decision is unbreakable,” Garcetti said at the time.

“We are proud that Los Angeles was the first to make a step recognizing the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination,” he added.

In this most recent resolution, the LA City Council reaffirmed its commitment, adding that it took “great honor in recognizing the continuing vibrancy of the independent and sovereign Republic of Artsakh.”

The resolution also honored “the Republic Of Artsakh and its citizens, and recognizes the sacrifices, dedication and resolve shown by the people of the Republic Of Artsakh in the face of extreme adversity.”

Through the resolution, the City of Los Angeles also extended “its best wishes to the Republic Of Artsakh and its citizen for peace, prosperity and continuing success, and calls upon the international community to give appropriate recognition to the Republic Of Artsakh as a free, independent, and sovereign state.”

Below is the complete text of the Los Angeles City Council resolution:

WHEREAS,we take great honor in recognizing the continuing vibrancy of the independent and sovereign REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH;and

WHEREAS, the REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH has a long and storied history dating back thousands of years, and holds a cherished place in the Armenian people’s history and culture; and

WHEREAS, the REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH declared its independence on December 10, 1991, after a long struggle that in some respects continues to this day, and the persistent demand for self-determination was an inspiration to people of many nationalities in the region and was one of the catalysts for the breakup of the former Soviet Union; and

WHEREAS, through the course of the last two decades, the people of the REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH have shown tenacity and perseverance in the face of war, massacres, economic deprivation and other tremendous hardships; and

WHEREAS, the REPUBLICOF ARTSAKH has for more than twenty years stayed true and faithful to its citizens by remaining independent while working to bring change and stability to the Caucasus region, and by holding free and fair elections and referendums that were widely declared as a model for the region; and

WHEREAS, on April 24, 2012 the City of Los Angeles recognized its friendship relationship with the city of Shushi in the REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that by the adoption of this resolution, the City of Los Angeles honors the REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH and its citizens, and recognizes the sacrifices, dedication and resolve shown by the people of the REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH in the face of extreme adversity; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Los Angeles extends its best wishes to the REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH and its citizen for peace, prosperity and continuing success, and calls upon the international community to give appropriate recognition to the REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH as a free, independent, and sovereign state.