[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 101 (Friday, July 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CALLING FOR FREE AND FAIR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF 
                               AZERBAIJAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHET EDWARDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 22, 2005

  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, with H. Res. 326, the House of 
Representatives calls for free and fair parliamentary elections in the 
Republic of Azerbaijan. Without question, we send a message with this 
resolution that improvements must be made in Azerbaijan's democratic 
process, but while we discuss our hopes for improvement, it is 
important to remember how important Azerbaijan is to American interests 
in the region.
  Azerbaijan is a staunch ally in the global war on terrorism. 
Following September 11, Azerbaijan was amongst the first countries to 
offer the United States unconditional support in the war against 
terrorism, providing its airspace and the use of its airports for 
Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Azerbaijan was the first 
Muslim nation to send its troops to serve shoulder-to-shoulder with 
U.S. forces in Iraq.
  Azerbaijan joined all 12 international conventions on counter-
terrorism and reinforces regional cooperation on fighting terrorism 
through signing numerous agreements and participating in the activities 
of regional organizations such as NATO, the Organization for Security 
and Cooperation in Europe, and others. Azerbaijan serves as the chair 
of the GUUAM Working Group (Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, 
and Moldova) on the fight against terrorism, organized crime and drug 
trafficking. GUUAM countries actively cooperate in law-enforcement, 
trade and transportation, and political-military spheres.
  Azerbaijan was a pioneer in opening the Caspian Sea to international 
cooperation and oil and gas exploration. Since 1994, Azerbaijan has 
extensively developed its energy resources to diversify western energy 
supplies. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline opened May 25 of 
this year. It is widely recognized that the East-West energy corridor 
plays an important security role in the region.
  To the United States, Azerbaijan is a critical partner in the Global 
War on Terrorism and the energy sector. To Azerbaijan, the United 
States is a pivotal leader in its efforts to promote democracy and 
stability within its borders and throughout the region.
  Azerbaijan is seeking to establish itself as a democratic nation and 
viable socio-economic partner in the Caucasus, Europe and on the world 
stage. It is already an important partner on many fronts, and free and 
fair elections will allow us to further develop that partnership.

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