Bako Sahakyan delivers speech in Pasadena

On November 21, President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan attened a Sunday religious service offered at the St. Leon Cathedral of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Central Information Department of Artsakh Republic President’s Office reports.

On the same day the President received sheriff of the Los Angeles county Lee Baca. Issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting.

Then Bako Sahakyan left for the city of Pasadena and attended the Telethon 2010 Gala dinner where he delivered a speech. Bako Sahakyan said:

“Respected compatriots!
Dear friends!
Ladies and gentlemen!

I am glad of having another opportunity to meet and welcome our brothers and sisters from the Diaspora. The world-spread Armenians have always played a great role in developing and strengthening the Motherland, especially Artsakh.

During the last 15 years different programs worth of dozen millions of dollars have been implemented in Artsakh through the channels of the Hayastan All Armenian fund. The people of Artsakh is grateful for such a considerate attitude.

A year ago all the Armenians united their efforts around the idea of restoring and developing Shoushi - one of the ancient Armenian towns. Reconstruction activities there have been already launched and entered an active stage. We are confident that this town will undoubtedly become modern and prosperous.

The drinking water issue is also among the most significant problems Artsakh has ever faced. It is of vital political and socio-economic importance. Our people still meets great difficulties in satisfying its minimal needs in drinking water. Serious shortage of water is felt in capital Stepanakert, regional centers and the countryside. People have to solve their daily vital problems with great difficulty. Only several districts in the capital and a number of settlements have 24-hour water supply in our republic, which we managed to do only recently.

Of course, the Artsakh authorities try to ease the problems of the population as far as possible. We have registered certain progress in this field. As I have already mentioned we managed to solve this urgent problem in some settlements. However, across the republic it requires consolidated approach of the world-spread Armenians.

Friends, together we are able to solve this issue. The Artsakh Republic has enormous water resources. Tartar, Arpa, Vorotan and other large rivers have their origin there. In Artsakh only surface water flow constitutes 19,000 cubic meters per capita, with the waters of the Arax river this figure exceeds 65,000 cubic meters. Thus, our republic ranks among the richest countries of the world in terms of water resources. What we should do is just use these riches properly and build modern water supply systems.

Talking about the Motherland, we, Armenians, often use the expression “Our Soil and Water.” It has a profound meaning. Water is among the most important factors that binds the man to soil. There is indeed no life without water. The water issue concerns all spheres of life. If we succeed in solving this issue we will create a firm basis for developing the whole socio-economic system of Artsakh making its future prosperous and reliable. We very much anticipate your active participation in this undertaking.

People who represent the Armenian Diaspora and have always made their personal contribution to the development and prosperity of the Motherland have gathered in this hall today. Due to the support of our brothers and sisters from the Diaspora and Mother Armenia Artsakh managed to recover from the wounds of the war and become a viable country inspiring pride to all the Armenians in different corners of the world. I am sure that with this spirit we will continue strengthening the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity and record further joint glorious victories.
Thank you!”