Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, on August 11, 2002, the men and women of Nagorno-Karabakh exercised their right to vote--a right which we have cherished for more than two centuries and a right that we hope will spread across the world.
Democracy, Mr. Speaker, is at the core of our existence as a nation, and democracy and democratic values are what we fought for in Europe during two World Wars and are continuing to fight for in the war on terrorism.
As freedom loving people who stood up against tyranny, we have a duty to applaud and support others who aspire to the principles that resulted in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
Mr. Speaker, on August 11, 2002, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh re-elected President Arkady Ghoukassian by a majority vote in what the independent election observers from the United States, Russia, Great Britain, France, Italy and Armenia called a free and transparent election.
The independent international observers, who monitored the election and the subsequent vote count, included a number of acting and former parliamentarians, former diplomats, foreign policy experts, and representatives of non-governmental human rights organizations. In addition, journalists from the United States, Russia, France, Spain, Great Britain and Armenia covered the course of the election.
The democratic presidential election of Nagorno-Karabakh, with an impressive 76 percent turnout, is evidence of the people's adherence to Western values and its determination to form a civil society and organize its affairs through a representative body based on the rule of law.
Observers from the British Helsinki Human Rights Group, which had observed 85 elections within the jurisdiction of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, stated that the election in Nagorno-Karabakh had surpassed many elections internationally recognized and approved by the OSCE and the Council of Europe, in particular, the elections in Bosnia and Kosovo.
The five independent observers from the United States, which included former high-ranking foreign service officers and foreign policy experts, were extremely impressed with the election process and the people's resolute determination to live in freedom. One observer described it as "an impressive exercise in democracy.''
Mr. Speaker, last summer I visited Nagorno-Karabakh and saw first-hand the harsh yet dramatic terrain of Nagorno-Karabakh and the rugged individualism of its people and leadership. Their compassion and conviction to forge ahead despite the difficult challenges was reminiscent of our founding fathers, who when faced with the choice of liberty or tyranny fought to live in freedom.
The people of Nagorno-Karabakh continue to live with the daily reminders of the war--landmines, collapsed buildings, and the noticeable absence of fathers, brothers and sons. Yet, they have chosen to rebuild their lives and their towns so their children will live in freedom.
Congratulations President Ghoukassian and congratulations to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh for your spirit and your commitment to freedom and democracy.