ArmInfo. President of Armenia Armen Sargsyan sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of Artsakh Revival Day.
According to the press service of the head of the Armenian state, the congratulatory message, in particular, says: "Today, on Artsakh's Revival Day, in connection with which I congratulate all of us. The name of this day fully reflects what happened on the central square of Stepanakert on February 20, 1988. On this day, not only Artsakh was revived, but also the Armenian dream, the idea of an independent On that day, our unity was strengthened, and a powerful signal was given that the time had come to restore justice, the victory of freedom. The Artsakh movement, which spread rapidly in Armenia and found a response in all Armenians, wherever they were was a prelude to the independence of Artsakh and the independence of Armenia itself.Soon it became a leading idea for the broad masses of people longing for freedom and democracy in the Soviet Union.
The Artsakh movement is the basis of regular elections, the next of which will be held in a month in Artsakh - this is the result of a decision announced 32 years ago to live freely and independently in the central square of Stepanakert. It was turning yesterday, today it is already irreversible, and tomorrow - constantly, forever. The world is in the process of constant and permanent changes, and Artsakh is a part of this world. 32 years ago, the Artsakh movement was able in its own way to move a seemingly motionless wheel, change its thinking, expand the boundaries of freedom and justice and, thus, form a state with heroic people. Artsakh has earned and has the right to live freely and independently on the world map, to expand the capabilities of its historically homeland. Long live the free and powerful Artsakh! Long live the heroic Armenian people! "It should be noted that on February 20 in the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) is celebrated the Day of Revival. Exactly 32 years ago, on February 20, 1988, the historic session of the Nagorno-Karabakh Regional Council of People's Deputies was held, which actually predetermined state independence of Karabakh. At the session, it was decided to petition the Supreme Councils of the Azerbaijan SSR and the Armenian SSR for the transfer of NKAR from Azerbaijan to Armenia.
Illogical decisions of the district soviets, but the Politburo of the Central Committee of the CPSU adopted a resolution on February 21, which essentially contradicted international principles of self-determination of peoples: the center tried to replace the problem with socio-economic measures, which provoked categorical protests of the population of the region, against which the authorities of the Azerbaijan SSR conducted an open discriminatory policy in all directions in order to oust the Armenians of Artsakh, following the example of Nakhichevan, from their native land. And it is not surprising that Azerbaijan responded to the peaceful and just demand of the Artsakh people for self-determination by massacres, forced deportations of the Armenian population of Baku, Sumgait, Kirovabad and other settlements, thousands of people became victims of the criminal Baku policy. A timely decision at the session effectively prevented the ethnic cleansing of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, planned by official Baku. The Azerbaijani authorities went to any tricks in order to provoke the Karabakh people and, thereby, provide themselves with a formal justification for the repressions against them. Provocations, blackmail, threats and direct violence by the Baku regime led to the fact that the peaceful Karabakh movement took on the character of an open confrontation, which soon grew into a long and bloody armed confrontation. However, the decision of the Artsakh people was irrevocable, and the will to restore historical justice, national and spiritual revival and a worthy life was unshakable. Thanks to unprecedented heroism and perseverance, nationwide support, the people of Artsakh managed to prevent the threat of their complete physical destruction, survive and defeat, firmly embarking on the realization of the primordial right to self-determination in accordance with fundamental international norms.