[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6252]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 WELCOMING THE PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2006

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Azerbaijan as 
a key ally in a region of significant importance and a valued partner 
to the United States. Azerbaijan has made important contributions in 
Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo and supports efforts to combat terrorism. 
The country has also taken effective steps to foster pro-democratic 
principles leading to fair and free elections.
  I also would like to welcome President Ilham Aliyev to Washington 
this week for meetings with President Bush, senior Administration 
officials, and key Congressional leaders to discuss the need for 
continued democratic reforms, regional cooperation, energy security and 
diversification, and our nations' commitment to working closely 
together to advance freedom, security, and economic independence.
  It is clear now more than ever that we must develop new sources of 
energy and partners not controlled by Middle East and South American 
dictatorships.
  Azerbaijan has been identified as key to the East-West transit 
corridor from the Caspian Sea to international markets. Sharing a 379 
mile border with Iran, we should recognize that Azerbaijan is important 
to the United States relations in the region. I encourage my colleagues 
in the House to support the opening of the one million barrel per day 
Baku-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline and Baku-Erzerum (SCP) natural gas 
pipeline, set to increase energy exports and availability for the West.
  I welcome President Ilham Aliyev upon his first official visit to 
Washington.

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