[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 144 (Thursday, October 25, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S11098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          FREEDOM SUPPORT ACT


                                armenia

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I want to take a brief moment to share 
with my colleagues the tremendous effort to craft an agreement which 
preserves section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act while permitting 
Azerbaijan to assist with America's war on terrorism. In the closing 
minutes of the Senate's debate on the FY 2002 Foreign Operations bill 
yesterday, Senators Sarbanes, Brownback, and I reached agreement on my 
amendment which strikes a balance between our counter terrorism needs 
and vital ongoing efforts to negotiate a peace between Armenia and 
Azerbaijan with respect to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
  I want to thank my colleagues for their constructive input into my 
amendment. In addition, the Administration deserves our gratitude for 
their willingness to work with Congress on finding a compromise which 
addressed the concerns of all sides of this complicated issue. It is no 
secret in the halls of Congress that there was serious consideration of 
a certification under section 907 as a means of securing the legal 
authority to provide counter terrorism assistance to Azerbaijan. Such a 
certification would have permanently eliminated section 907 as a means 
to support the sensitive ongoing negotiations between Armenia and 
Azerbaijan. Despite some carveouts over the years, this was the most 
serious challenge to section 907 since its inception. Senator Sarbanes 
and I, in particular, strongly believe that section 907 is vital to 
ongoing peace efforts and that such a certification was an unacceptable 
option.
  I also want to recognize the invaluable input and encouragement of 
patriotic Armenian-Americans who understand the importance of 
supporting America's efforts to fight terrorism on every front. But, 
cooperating with Azerbaijan should not mean that the negotiations on 
Nagorno-Karabakh should be disrupted. Here again, the amendment 
provides protection. Counter terrorism assistance to Azerbaijan will 
not be forthcoming unless the President determines and certifies to 
Congress that the assistance ``will not undermine or hamper ongoing 
efforts to negotiate a peaceful settlement between Armenia and 
Azerbaijan or be used for offensive purposes against Armenia.'' The 
Administration has assured us that they support peaceful negotiations 
and that none of our counter-terrorism efforts will disrupt these 
talks.
  In addition to the amendment preserving section 907, I sponsored an 
amendment to provide assistance to Armenia under the Foreign Military 
Financing and the International Military Education and Training 
programs. This historic amendment will for the first time provide 
Armenia with valuable military assistance. The IMET funding will allow 
the U.S. to work with and train with the Armenian military thereby 
improving America's ability to work with Armenia on a host of security 
issues. This will ensure that Armenia remains a strong ally and 
coalition partner in the war against terrorism.
  We will have an opportunity to revisit issues relating to Armenian 
and Azeri relations on the FY 2003 Foreign Operations bill, and I want 
to make clear to my colleagues and the Administration that I will be 
closely following developments in Azerbaijan and Turkey to lift the 
blockades against Armenia. I encourage these countries to fully 
understand the importance and necessity of lifting their blockades.

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