CONGRESSMAN KOLBE: “REPEAL OF SECTION 907 MIGHT BE DISCUSSED DURING AZERI PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO WASHINGTON”

Today, Azerbaijan
April 13 2006

The repeal of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act can be discussed
in the course of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s official visit
to the United States, Congressman Jim Kolbe (R-AR), the chairman of
the sub-committee on foreign assignments, stated to a news conference
in Baku on 13 April.

During the visit the Azerbaijani President will have an opportunity
for meetings the Congressmen, while final resolution on the repeal
of the section will depend on the Committee on foreign assignments.

Section 907 can also be fully repealed until the resolution of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Moreover, the key point is not repeal of
Section 907, but is that it has been waived for 5 years in succession.

Concerning the reasons for non-inclusion of Azerbaijan in the
program “Millennium Challenges” Mr Kolbe said that while selecting
the claimants the key attention was paid to “quality of government
in the country” and level of corruption (on the base of data by
international organizations).

According to Trend, Congressman noted the steps taken in Azerbaijan
in this direction and his impatience for the time when Azerbaijan
will meet the necessary requirements. Until it occurs, the United
States intends to assist Azerbaijan in the military sector, in the
development of democracy and health.

Mr Kolbe said that during short stay in Baku he held meetings at the
Foreign Ministry, parliament, non-governmental organizations, and
representatives of the Armed Forces and peacekeeping contingent in
Iraq. He expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan for an important role
in fighting with the international terror and peacemaking operations
in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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