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Rep Berman calls for Azerbaijan suspension from NATO partnership

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  • Rep Berman calls for Azerbaijan suspension from NATO partnership

    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

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