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Congressional Documents and Publications
September 27, 2012 Thursday
HOWARD BERMAN WRITES SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON, CALLS FOR
AZERBAIJANS SUSPENSION FROM NATO PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE PROGRAM AND
ENDING ARMS SALES TO AZERBAIJAN
WASHINGTON
The following information was released by the office of California
Rep. Howard Berman :
U.S. Rep. Howard L. Berman, the top Democrat on the House Foreign
Affairs Committee, wrote Secretary of State Clinton today and called
for Azerbaijans suspension from the NATO Partnership for Peace Program
and ending arms sales to Azerbaijan. Berman wrote the letter following
the recent pardoning of Azerbaijani axe-murderer Ramil Safarov and his
promotion to the rank of major in the Azerbaijani military.
The letter follows:
Dear Madam Secretary,
The recent pardoning by President Aliyev of the Azerbaijani
axe-murderer Ramil Safarov -- and his promotion to the rank of major
in the Azerbaijani military -- was indeed appalling. Aliyev's action
makes a mockery of justice and shows contempt for NATO and its
members, as well as for NATOs Partnership for Peace (PfP) program and
all states that participate in it. The State Department appropriately
issued a strong condemnation of Azerbaijan's pardon. In my view,
however, the abhorrent nature of this pardon, as well as the gruesome
nature of the original crime and the context in which it occurred,
demands something more. It demands a strong and meaningful response.
Accordingly, in light of the fact that this unprovoked and horrific
murder occurred at a PfP event, I urge you to arrange for a joint
protest to President Aiyev by all members of NATO. Second, I urge that
NATO suspend Azerbaijan from all participation in PfP events unless
and until Aliyev rescinds the pardon and promotion and re-incarcerates
the killer, or returns him to Hungary, to serve the remainder of his
life sentence. Further, I strongly encourage you immediately to halt
all military assistance and arms transfers to Azerbaijan. President
Aliyev's action, in its callous disregard for Armenian life,
obliterates any near-term hopes for building trust between Armenia and
Azerbaijan. It thus undermines attempts to foster peace in the
volatile Caucasus region. It likewise serves to remind us that a
peaceful resolution regarding Nagorno Karabakh must provide adequate
security safeguards against Azerbaijani aggression.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
U.S. Congressman Howard L. Berman
September 27, 2012 Thursday
HOWARD BERMAN WRITES SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON, CALLS FOR
AZERBAIJANS SUSPENSION FROM NATO PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE PROGRAM AND
ENDING ARMS SALES TO AZERBAIJAN
WASHINGTON
The following information was released by the office of California
Rep. Howard Berman :
U.S. Rep. Howard L. Berman, the top Democrat on the House Foreign
Affairs Committee, wrote Secretary of State Clinton today and called
for Azerbaijans suspension from the NATO Partnership for Peace Program
and ending arms sales to Azerbaijan. Berman wrote the letter following
the recent pardoning of Azerbaijani axe-murderer Ramil Safarov and his
promotion to the rank of major in the Azerbaijani military.
The letter follows:
Dear Madam Secretary,
The recent pardoning by President Aliyev of the Azerbaijani
axe-murderer Ramil Safarov -- and his promotion to the rank of major
in the Azerbaijani military -- was indeed appalling. Aliyev's action
makes a mockery of justice and shows contempt for NATO and its
members, as well as for NATOs Partnership for Peace (PfP) program and
all states that participate in it. The State Department appropriately
issued a strong condemnation of Azerbaijan's pardon. In my view,
however, the abhorrent nature of this pardon, as well as the gruesome
nature of the original crime and the context in which it occurred,
demands something more. It demands a strong and meaningful response.
Accordingly, in light of the fact that this unprovoked and horrific
murder occurred at a PfP event, I urge you to arrange for a joint
protest to President Aiyev by all members of NATO. Second, I urge that
NATO suspend Azerbaijan from all participation in PfP events unless
and until Aliyev rescinds the pardon and promotion and re-incarcerates
the killer, or returns him to Hungary, to serve the remainder of his
life sentence. Further, I strongly encourage you immediately to halt
all military assistance and arms transfers to Azerbaijan. President
Aliyev's action, in its callous disregard for Armenian life,
obliterates any near-term hopes for building trust between Armenia and
Azerbaijan. It thus undermines attempts to foster peace in the
volatile Caucasus region. It likewise serves to remind us that a
peaceful resolution regarding Nagorno Karabakh must provide adequate
security safeguards against Azerbaijani aggression.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
U.S. Congressman Howard L. Berman