[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 16, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H7889]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        ENFORCING SECTION 907 OF THE FREEDOM SUPPORT ACT OF 1992

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Rogan) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROGAN. Mr. Speaker, the United States has a two-centuries old 
tradition as the standard bearer of freedom, democracy and the 
promotion of human rights abroad. When the liberty of men and the 
expression of their ideals have been threatened, our Nation has waged 
political, economic and military battles against the oppression. We in 
Congress must be mindful of this obligation and continue to enforce the 
Freedom Support Act of 1992.
  For 9 years, the government of Azerbaijan has enforced a cruel and 
inhuman blockade of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. This embargo is still 
in effect today. As a result of the economic choke-hold, a bipartisan 
group of legislators included a provision to the Freedom Support Act 
known as section 907. This clause prohibits U.S. aid to Azerbaijan 
until its government takes steps to lift the blockade.
  Mr. Speaker, tomorrow the House will consider the Foreign Operations 
Appropriations bill. This measure includes language that will repeal 
section 907, thereby lifting U.S. sanctions against those who chose to 
block the free market expression and expansion of other nations. I urge 
my colleagues to reconsider striking this important provision.
  We in Congress have an obligation to the Constitution and to our own 
conscience. We must do our duty to promote the cause of democracy, 
while sending the message that human rights violations and actions that 
compromise the expansion of democracy simply will not be tolerated.

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