US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MUST KEEP NEUTRALITY IN RELATIONS WITH AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA: CONGRESSWOMAN (INTERVIEW)

Trend
July 3 2009
Azerbaijan

Interview with the US House of Representatives Texas representative
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.

Q: Recently you and your colleagues sent a letter to the committee
of the House of Representatives about the 907 amendment. What do you
estimate about the current situation?

A: Yes, I joined this reference. We just wanted to remind the
hug-committee of the House of Representatives about some realities of
Azerbaijan.By this statement I and my colleagues are asking the House
of Representatives hug-committee on foreign aid to provide Azerbaijan
extra financial aids, and to stay constant in this policy.

Q: During Bush administration’s period the 907 amendment was brought
out of force every year.Do you think that the same experience will
be used during Obama’s administration?

A: I think you probably already know – Obama’s administration declared
foreign policy as their main priority, and also with the Muslim
world. And that policy is based on strengthening these relationships. I
can remind Obama administration’s interest in the region, especially in
Azerbaijan. We should stretch a hand and strengthen the relations with
Azerbaijan which is the most devoted partner and ally of the United
States in terms of energy security and fight against international
terrorism. Azerbaijan is one of the most important strategic allies
in the Caucasus region for the United States, which has met all the
obligations in terms of freedoms and continues to ensure that these
commitments are fulfilled.

Q: In the address, sent to the House of Representatives about
Azerbaijan a number of possible threats, which Azerbaijan can face,
are mentioned. What kind of threats do you mean?

A: First of all, Azerbaijan is in a very serious and dangerous
neighborhood with Russia and Iran. Plus Azerbaijan’s aid to American
Military Forces in Afghanistan can increase the danger to the
country. So we must be supportive to our partner Azerbaijan. There is
also one thing I should mention – Azerbaijan and Armenia are facing
such a sensible issue as Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. As a co-chair of
the OSCE Minsk Group US always kept its neutral point of view. We are
asking the hug-committee of the House of Representatives to avoid any
steps that might be a blow to the neutrality of US position during
the discussions of the state budget for 2010.