Early this month Congressman Christopher Smith (R-N.J.), the chairman of U.S. Helsinki Commission, sent a clear message to Azerbaijan, urging Ilham Aliyev government to "let people out of prison who have committed no crime," to avoid criticism from the democratic world.
Smith recently introduced a landmark bill called "Azerbaijani Democracy Act" to the Commission. If accepted, the bill would impose visa sanctions on Azeri senior leadership amid their human rights violations.
The Aliyev government, in its response, rejects human rights violations and release of political prisoners.
Instead, it hired a leading US consultancy - Podesta Group - to help its side in a pushback against the legislation and boosting its image in Washington.
Elin Sulieymanov, the ambassador of Azerbaijan to the U.S., signed an agreement with the Podesta Group Inc., on February 1st, 2016, to ‘perform public relations services for the country,’ according to U.S. Justice Department records.
Podesta, which guarantees Azerbaijani government’s access to some of the most powerful people in Washington, will received at least $50,000 per month from the Azeri Embassy, plus expenses for the ‘additional services,’ TURAN's US corresponding reports, citing the amendment.
The "nature" of Podesta's services was described in the document as following:
* Research and analyze issues of concern to the principal;
* Counsel the principal on US. policies of concern, activities in Congress and the executive branch and developments on the U.S. political scene generally;
* Maintain contact, as necessary, with members of Congress and their staff, executive branch officials, and non-governmental organizations."
Podesta officials had no immediate comment when contacted about this report.
The 14-page-long "Azerbaijan Democracy Act" was referred to three Congressional Committees on December 16th.
The bill currently has two co-sponsors: Congressman Joe Heck, (Republican, Nevada) and Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (Democrat, New York.)
A.Raufoglu
Washington, D.C.
Politics
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Official Baku has condemned the visit of Polish President Andrzej Duda to the Azerbaijan-Armenia border during his official visit to Armenia. "The visit of Polish President Andrzej Duda to the to Armenia-Azerbaijan border area in the company of members of the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA), unfortunately, is another demonstration of anti-Azerbaijani policy of different EU member countries and European institutions. We deeply regret that President of the country which is officially a “strategic partner” of Azerbaijan has participated in the unacceptable diplomatic “binocular show” leading to the aggravation of relations between Azerbaijan and Poland,”" reads the statement on the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ account on X (formerly Twitter).
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According to the “Times of India”, the first batch of “Pinaka” missile systems has been delivered to Armenia.
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The next municipal elections in Azerbaijan will take place on January 29, 2025, Mazahir Panahov, the head of the Central Election Commission (CEC), said at a meeting of the commission. It is worth noting that in recent years, there has been a policy of consolidating municipalities. Following changes to the legislation earlier this year, which provide for the consolidation of municipalities, their number has been reduced from 1,400 to 685.
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By the decree of the President of Azerbaijan, Siyavush Kerimi has been relieved of his duties as rector of the National Conservatory. By another decree from the head of state, Khamila Dadashzade has been appointed as the new rector of the institution. Previously, she headed the Department of Music History and Theory at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts. Dadashzade is a member of the Union of Composers of Azerbaijan.
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