[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 130 (Friday, October 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2069-E2070]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               AZERBAIJAN

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 2005

  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, Azerbaijan is an important strategic ally for 
the United States. The Country is located in a region that can produce 
and transport energy products to the West. As well as provide military 
and intelligence capabilities to the United States.
  Azerbaijan is an emerging major non-OPEC oil producer and transit 
country (i.e, Baku-Ceyhan pipeline), which will supply 1.6 million 
barrels a day after being operational December 2005. This will 
stabilize the other energy producing countries (oil and gas) in the 
region and their ability to get their product to the marketplace 
without the dependency of Russia or Iran.
  Azerbaijan is a front line positioned state for military and 
intelligence access to Iran. This will act as a stabilizing effect for 
the region and fight off the aggressive position of Iran. It will also 
work against terrorist activities spread by fundamental terrorist who 
have the support of Iran.
  Azerbaijan is the first Muslim state to provide troops to the U.S. 
backed coalitions in Iraq., Afghanistan and Kosovo. To date, they are 
the only Shiite Muslim state to provide troops.
  Azerbaijan is in the vanguard of the emerging democracies from the 
former Soviet Union. Azerbaijan has parliamentary elections scheduled 
November 6, 2005, and is moving forward with international support to 
assure free and fair elections. Azerbaijan has allowed opposition 
parties the right to organize, protest, and access public television.
  Azerbaijan maintains excellent relations with the State of Israel, 
both, diplomatically and economically including providing crude oil.
  Azerbaijan is a strong strategic partner with the United States and 
is cooperating in United States activities regarding Caspian regional 
security overseeing Iran (e.g., Caspian Guards program, radar system, 
fly-over rights and re-fueling capacity).
  Azerbaijan is a strategic asset given its presence as a strong United 
States-Israel ally next to Iran. Azerbaijan welcomes trade with Israel 
and stronger ties between the two countries.
  Iran has threatened Azerbaijan due to cooperation with Israel and the 
United States Iran continues to inform Azerbaijan that their strong 
relations with the United States and Israel will not be beneficial, as 
Iran is their neighbor.
  The Iran military enters Azerbaijan airspace weekly and Iran has made 
claims on Azerbaijan's offshore oil and gas exploration.
  Iran has attempted to spread Madrassas schools in Azerbaijan and 
Azerbaijan has resisted.

[[Page E2070]]

  Iran pressures Azerbaijan to abolish visas between the two countries, 
which would lead to less control and more Iranians infiltration into 
Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is resisting this effort.
  Occupied Azerbaijan (NK Region) is on the Iranian border, where 
alleged terrorist camps, narcotic trafficking and weapons trading goes 
on. Since Armenia has occupied this region of Azerbaijan, almost 16 
percent of the total country, this activity has existed with the 
support of Iran. Azerbaijan is defenseless in trying to stop this 
activity, as long as Armenia occupies this region.

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