BAKU: U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Of Defense Jim MacDougall: Sec

U.S. DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE JIM MACDOUGALL: SECTION 907 RESTRICTS US-AZERBAIJAN COOPERATION

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 7 2006

Today, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev received the
delegation headed by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Jim
MacDougall, Defense Ministry press service told the APA.

In the meeting, Safar Abiyev noted that Azerbaijani-US cooperation
is developing according to the definite program. Touching upon
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict the minister said that this conflict is
great restriction for development of Azerbaijan-US and Azerbaijani-NATO
cooperation.

"We will not reconcile with Armenia because of occupation of our
territories. If the conflict is not solved peacefully, Azerbaijani
Armed Forces will liberate our territories," he said.

The minister said that section 907 to the Freedom Support Act restricts
Azerbaijani-US cooperation.

MacDougall agreed with his colleagues and said that it is true that
the articles of the section 907 restrict the partner sip of both
countries.