The United States, Washington, July 24 /Trend News, N.Bogdanova/
The 907th amendment of the U.S. congress toward Azerbaijan should be repealed, co-chair of the U.S. Congress Working Group on Azerbaijan, Congressman from Texas Solomon Ortiz told Trend News.
"I believe that Section 907 of the Freedom of Support Act should be repealed.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 US as Azerbaijan," Ortiz said.
In October 1992 the US Congress approved the Law Act supporting freedom in regulating the distribution of state aid to former Soviet Republics.
The U.S government was forbidden to render aid to official Azerbaijani organizations by the 907th amendment. The effect of 907th amendment has been suspended by the U.S president 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.
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 believes.
"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 believes.
"As a staunch 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.
