[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 139 (Friday, October 26, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ON WAIVING SECTION 907 OF THE FREEDOM SUPPORT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 26, 2012

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on October 24, 1992, President 
George H.W. Bush signed the FREEDOM Support Act into law. This 
legislation provided for monetary assistance to be provided to the 
countries of the former Soviet Union to aid their transition to 
democracy and build-up their civil societies.
  Included in the legislation was Section 907, a provision which 
precluded the Republic of Azerbaijan from receiving any assistance 
through the FREEDOM Support Act. Azerbaijan was the only country to be 
singled out in the statute from receiving assistance.
  Since then, cooperation between the United States and Azerbaijan has 
expanded beyond recognition--encompassing military, intelligence, 
economic, business, academic, and cultural ties. This has resulted in 
increasing the security and prosperity of both countries.
  Given Azerbaijan's strong partnership with allies such as Israel, and 
its proximity to Iran, the extent of their contribution to our security 
cannot be overstated. For this reason, Section 907 has been waived by 
Executive Order every year since 2001 by Presidents George W. Bush and 
Barack Obama.
  While these Executive Orders have largely mitigated the practical 
effects of Section 907, its lingering presence as a part of U.S. law is 
offensive to Azerbaijan and its people. As American companies prosper 
from helping access and transport Azerbaijan's rich natural resources, 
and as Azerbaijani troops stand side-by-side with America's heroes 
against international terrorism, it is disingenuous to single out our 
ally as a pariah state.
  Every Secretary of State over the past two decades and many prominent 
members of the American business community support the repeal of 
Section 907. Twenty years after it was signed into law, Section 907 of 
the FREEDOM Support Act has become a relic of a previous era and a slap 
in the face to America's closest ally in the Caspian Region, and I call 
on my colleagues in Congress to help stand up in support of our friend, 
Azerbaijan, and repeal Section 907 as expeditiously as possible.

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