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BERMAN URGES CLINTON TO SUSPEND AZERBAIJAN FROM NATO PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE
http://asbarez.com/105705/berman-urges-clinton-to-suspend-azerbaijan-from-nato-partnership-for-peace/
Thursday, September 27th, 2012
Rep. Howard Berman
The Ranking Democrat on Foreign Affairs Committee urges Clinton to
End US Arms Sales to Azerbaijan
VALLEY VILLAGE, Calif.~WRep. Rep. Howard L. Berman, the top Democrat on
the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote Secretary of State Clinton
today and called for Azerbaijan~Rs 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.
Berman is facing a re-election campaign this year against Rep. Brad
Sherman. The two will face off at a debate on Saturday at 6 p.m. at
Ferrahian High School~Rs Avetissian Hall. The debate is organized by
the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region.
The letter follows:
Dear Madam Secretary,
The recent pardoning by President Aliyev of the Azerbaijani
axe-murderer Ramil Safarov ~W and his promotion to the rank of major
in the Azerbaijani military ~W was indeed appalling. Aliyev~Rs action
makes a mockery of justice and shows contempt for NATO and its members,
as well as for NATO~Rs Partnership for Peace (PfP) program and all
states that participate in it. The State Department appropriately
issued a strong condemnation of Azerbaijan~Rs 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~Rs 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
Editor~Rs Note: Berman is facing a re-election campaign this year
against Rep. Brad Sherman. The two will face off at a debate hosted
by the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region. on
Saturday at 6 p.m. at Ferrahian High School~Rs Avetissian Hall.
http://asbarez.com/105705/berman-urges-clinton-to-suspend-azerbaijan-from-nato-partnership-for-peace/
Thursday, September 27th, 2012
Rep. Howard Berman
The Ranking Democrat on Foreign Affairs Committee urges Clinton to
End US Arms Sales to Azerbaijan
VALLEY VILLAGE, Calif.~WRep. Rep. Howard L. Berman, the top Democrat on
the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote Secretary of State Clinton
today and called for Azerbaijan~Rs 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.
Berman is facing a re-election campaign this year against Rep. Brad
Sherman. The two will face off at a debate on Saturday at 6 p.m. at
Ferrahian High School~Rs Avetissian Hall. The debate is organized by
the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region.
The letter follows:
Dear Madam Secretary,
The recent pardoning by President Aliyev of the Azerbaijani
axe-murderer Ramil Safarov ~W and his promotion to the rank of major
in the Azerbaijani military ~W was indeed appalling. Aliyev~Rs action
makes a mockery of justice and shows contempt for NATO and its members,
as well as for NATO~Rs Partnership for Peace (PfP) program and all
states that participate in it. The State Department appropriately
issued a strong condemnation of Azerbaijan~Rs 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~Rs 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
Editor~Rs Note: Berman is facing a re-election campaign this year
against Rep. Brad Sherman. The two will face off at a debate hosted
by the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region. on
Saturday at 6 p.m. at Ferrahian High School~Rs Avetissian Hall.