907th amendment on Azerbaijan should be repealed: U.S. congressman

"I believe that Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act should be repealed. It is unjust and not a measure that should be in place against such a strong ally and strategic partner to the U.S. as Azerbaijan," Ortiz said.

In October 1992, the US Congress approved the Freedom Support Act which regulates distribution of state aid to former Soviet Republics.

The U.S government was forbidden to render aid to Azerbaijani official  organizations by the 907th amendment. The effect of 907th amendment has been suspended by the U.S presidents on an annual basis starting from 2002 in accordance with privileges given by Congress in 2001. The effect of the 907th amendment has been suspended for 2009, too.

Ortiz said there have been recent efforts to tighten the waiver authority of President Obama for 907 which the working group on Azerbaijan have opposed and will continue to voice their opposition.

Now is the time to repeal Section 907, the congressman said.

"Repealing Section 907 would remove significant impediments that prevent further strengthening of U.S.-Azerbaijan bilateral relations", he said.

Ortiz said he recently sent a letter, along with Reps. Bill Shuster and Eddie Bernice Johnson, to the House Appropriations Committee requesting a repeal of Section 907. "And, as I indicated, I will continue to support efforts to increase assistance including military assistance to Azerbaijan as well," he said.

One of the priorities of President Obama's foreign policy agenda is to strengthen our relations with the Muslim world, Ortiz added.

"As a ally and strategic partner of the United States in key areas such as energy security and war against international terrorism, Azerbaijan should be one of the first Muslim nations that we seek to reach out to and strengthen relations with," he said.

/Trend News/