Two Congressmen from Texas Call for Lifting Section 907

Two congressmen from Texas - Ted Poe and Jen Green appealed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives to repeal Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act of 1992, which prohibits the provision of state aid to Azerbaijan. 

The appeal, in particular, says that 20 years ago President Bush signed a senior Freedom Support Act, which funds the former Soviet republics to build democracy. Later this act was made Section 907, which prohibits the provision of such assistance to Azerbaijan. This country is a major partner of the U.S., and since September 2001 has opened its airspace to supply Western forces to Afghanistan.

With proven oil reserves of 7 billion barrels, Azerbaijan plays an important role in ensuring the energy security of Europe.

In recent years the U.S. administration and the President propose to cancel the amendment, and the Congress should abandon this archaic amendment and cancel it, says Congressman Poe.

For his part, Congressman Green notes that the cooperation between the U.S. and Azerbaijan is developing in all areas - military, economic, intelligence, and business and cultural spheres.

Deepening of these relations is impossible without the abolition of Section 907. Therefore, the annual presidential decree should suspend the amendment. However, the existence of this legislation is a challenge to Azerbaijan and its people.

The statement reads that at a time when American companies are benefiting from the natural resources of Azerbaijan, and the men of this country are standing next to our soldiers in the fight against international terrorism, it is not fair to our ally.

"Section 907 is a slap in the face of the closest ally of America in the Caspian region, and I urge my colleagues, as soon as possible to cancel the amendment and to support our friend - Azerbaijan," writes Congressman Green. 

Recall that Section 907 was initiated by the Armenian lobby in October 1992.

The text of the amendment states that the U.S. will not provide public assistance to Azerbaijan until the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.   -25D-