[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 4 (Friday, January 9, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E53-E54]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THE TERMINATION OF RFE/RL AND VOA RADIO BROADCASTS IN AZERBAIJAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 9, 2009

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to express deep 
concern about Azerbaijan's cessation of local broadcasts of Radio Free 
Europe and Voice of America. After threatening for months to remove 
RFE/RL and VOA from the FM airwaves, Baku did precisely that on January 
1.
  The official justification for this unfortunate decision is that a 
2002 Azerbaijani law restricts such frequencies to local broadcasters. 
The Helsinki Commission, which I chair, sent a letter on November 24, 
co-signed by Co-Chairman Senator Benjamin Cardin and Ranking Minority 
Member Christopher Smith, to President Ilham Aliev in which we urged 
him to reconsider. We pointed out that keeping Congressionally funded 
RFE/RL and VOA off the FM airwaves was an unwise and unfriendly move 
and that ending these programs was a poor way to start a relationship 
with incoming President Barack Obama. But Baku did not budge. Nor, 
might I add, have we even received the courtesy of a reply since 
November.
  In fact, there are grounds for even graver concerns. Baku had pledged 
that only FM broadcasts would be ended. On January 6, however, 
Azerbaijani authorities tried to close down RFE/RL's Internet 
operation--which they had said would not be touched.
  It is difficult to see these actions in any light other than a desire 
to restrict information available to the public. As the State 
Department said on December 30, ``These media organizations play a 
crucial role in supporting democratic debate and the free exchange of 
ideas and information. This decision, if carried out, will represent a 
serious setback to freedom of speech, and retard democratic reform in 
Azerbaijan.''
  I concur completely. Azerbaijan's record on media freedom was poor 
before this, with heavy state influence on the airwaves, three 
journalists in jail and frequent criticism by the OSCE, Council of 
Europe and freedom of speech advocates. Now, Azerbaijanis without 
access to cable or the Internet--which means most of the listening 
audience--are cut off from objective, impartial sources of information.

[[Page E54]]

  Azerbaijani relations with the United States will surely be 
negatively affected by this decision. I regret that when President 
Ilham Aliev eventually meets President Barack Obama, they will have to 
spend time discussing why Baku has shut down U.S.-funded radio 
stations, instead of exploring ways to deepen the relationship between 
our countries.
  The Helsinki Commission intends to examine U.S. international 
broadcasting in a future hearing and discuss ways of ensuring the 
continuance of this vital service. Meanwhile, it is my hope that 
President Aliev will find a way to keep RFE/RL and VOA on the air.

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