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BRYZA URGES BOOSTING AZERBAIJANI CAUCUS IN US CONGRESS
ANS TV, Azerbaijan
Oct 21 2013
[Presenter] The conflict between the government and Congress in the
USA is affecting foreign diplomacy as well. What is the impact of
this conflict on US-Azerbaijani relations?
[Correspondent] There is one truth related to the USA that we wish
to forgive and forget: the notorious [Freedom Support Act Section]
907 and direct US aid to Karabakh. Although every year its effect is
frozen, 907 remains to this day. Assistance to the Karabakh separatist
regime also persists. On the one hand, the Congress allots funds and on
the other the US government says "we respect Azerbaijan's territorial
integrity". The struggle between the two government bodies last year
affected a US diplomat.
The lack of information in the Congress about Azerbaijan left the US
ambassador to Azerbaijan, Matthew Bryza, unemployed. For the first
time the ex-ambassador admits this.
The recall of Matthew Bryza as soon as he was appointed surprised
many. After over one year of not being a member of the administration
Matthew Bryza has much to say.
[Matthew Bryza, captioned as former US ambassador to Azerbaijan
(2011-2012), with Azeri voice-over] My own experience shows how much
slander was said against me. I could file a lawsuit against these
people. However, I did not do this because at the time I was still
a US official. Unfortunately, there was no person either within
the Congress, or outside it to unmask this slander as lies. Now
the participation of Azerbaijan and Turkey in the Congress is
strengthening. I hope that time will come when nobody will believe
in the lies of the Armenian Assembly of America, because they are
only fabricating lies.
[Correspondent] There is truth in what the ambassador says. It is for
this reason that the claims we have had against the administration
for years always hit a brick wall and returned.
Former US Ambassador Richard Kauzlaric advised working with the
Congress, rather than complaining.
[Richard Kauzlaric, captioned as former US ambassador to Azerbaijan
(2011-2012), with Azeri voice-over] I believe that Section 907
is betrayal of the Azerbaijani people. In terms of resolving the
conflict, it suits the interests of neither Azerbaijan, nor Armenia,
nor the USA. When I was the ambassador I sought to encourage interest
of Congress members in Azerbaijan. The more information they have,
the more they will help. I believe that it is exceptionally important
to boost the ranks of the Azerbaijani group in the Congress.
[Correspondent] Currently, the Azerbaijani caucus in the Congress has
50 people, against 200 in the Armenian caucus. However, the Azerbaijani
caucus has grown rapidly over the past year. Year 2015 is coming. The
Armenian community is preparing for the 100th anniversary of the
fabricated Armenian genocide. In order to prevent another notorious
907 the voice of the other side must be heard in the Congress. Because
to borrow the American expression, fool me once, shame on you; fool
me twice, shame on me.
[Translated from Azeri]
ANS TV, Azerbaijan
Oct 21 2013
[Presenter] The conflict between the government and Congress in the
USA is affecting foreign diplomacy as well. What is the impact of
this conflict on US-Azerbaijani relations?
[Correspondent] There is one truth related to the USA that we wish
to forgive and forget: the notorious [Freedom Support Act Section]
907 and direct US aid to Karabakh. Although every year its effect is
frozen, 907 remains to this day. Assistance to the Karabakh separatist
regime also persists. On the one hand, the Congress allots funds and on
the other the US government says "we respect Azerbaijan's territorial
integrity". The struggle between the two government bodies last year
affected a US diplomat.
The lack of information in the Congress about Azerbaijan left the US
ambassador to Azerbaijan, Matthew Bryza, unemployed. For the first
time the ex-ambassador admits this.
The recall of Matthew Bryza as soon as he was appointed surprised
many. After over one year of not being a member of the administration
Matthew Bryza has much to say.
[Matthew Bryza, captioned as former US ambassador to Azerbaijan
(2011-2012), with Azeri voice-over] My own experience shows how much
slander was said against me. I could file a lawsuit against these
people. However, I did not do this because at the time I was still
a US official. Unfortunately, there was no person either within
the Congress, or outside it to unmask this slander as lies. Now
the participation of Azerbaijan and Turkey in the Congress is
strengthening. I hope that time will come when nobody will believe
in the lies of the Armenian Assembly of America, because they are
only fabricating lies.
[Correspondent] There is truth in what the ambassador says. It is for
this reason that the claims we have had against the administration
for years always hit a brick wall and returned.
Former US Ambassador Richard Kauzlaric advised working with the
Congress, rather than complaining.
[Richard Kauzlaric, captioned as former US ambassador to Azerbaijan
(2011-2012), with Azeri voice-over] I believe that Section 907
is betrayal of the Azerbaijani people. In terms of resolving the
conflict, it suits the interests of neither Azerbaijan, nor Armenia,
nor the USA. When I was the ambassador I sought to encourage interest
of Congress members in Azerbaijan. The more information they have,
the more they will help. I believe that it is exceptionally important
to boost the ranks of the Azerbaijani group in the Congress.
[Correspondent] Currently, the Azerbaijani caucus in the Congress has
50 people, against 200 in the Armenian caucus. However, the Azerbaijani
caucus has grown rapidly over the past year. Year 2015 is coming. The
Armenian community is preparing for the 100th anniversary of the
fabricated Armenian genocide. In order to prevent another notorious
907 the voice of the other side must be heard in the Congress. Because
to borrow the American expression, fool me once, shame on you; fool
me twice, shame on me.
[Translated from Azeri]