[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13642]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING AZERBAIJAN AND THE AZERI PEOPLE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2011

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, as the Co-Chairman of the Congressional 
Azerbaijan Caucus, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize 
Azerbaijan and the Azeri people for their ongoing support of the United 
States and our allies in the Global War on Terror. Azerbaijan has been 
a consistent supporter of U.S. efforts in the fight against terrorism, 
and the Azeris have worked with us to strengthen economic and political 
stability in the Caspian region. It is important that we recognize the 
sacrifices made by our allies and continue to thank them for their 
support.
  As we reflect back on the recently passed 10th anniversary of the 
terrorist attacks of September 11, we must remember that the fight 
against terrorism is not a fight against Islam. On September 11, 2001, 
Americans of all faiths and citizens from around the world tragically 
lost their lives.
  Today, uniformed and civilian men and women around the world work 
shoulder to shoulder to combat the ongoing threat of terrorist attacks 
that don't just affect the United States, but virtually every nation. 
This effort is not one of faith; rather it is an effort to keep 
citizens of all nations safe from barbaric acts of terrorism.
  Immediately after 9/11, Azerbaijan, a majority Muslim nation, was 
among the first to offer strong support and assistance to the United 
States. Azerbaijan participated in operations in Iraq and is actively 
engaged in Afghanistan, having recently doubled its military presence 
there. Azerbaijan has extended important over-flight clearances for 
U.S. and NATO flights to support ISAF and has regularly provided 
landing and refueling operations at its airports for U.S. and NATO 
forces. Also, Azerbaijan plays an important role in the Northern 
Distribution Network, a supply route to Afghanistan by making available 
its ground and Caspian naval transportation facilities.
  Additionally, Azerbaijan provides specialized training for Afghan 
police, border guard officers and de-miners, education and training of 
Afghan civilian and military medical doctors, and medical treatment of 
Afghan citizens at Azeri hospitals. Azerbaijan has provided medical 
equipment and supplies to Afghanistan as well as assisting in the 
construction of schools and hospitals there.
  Azerbaijan remains a reliable partner of NATO and the EU in the South 
Caucasus through its consistent and effective contribution to common 
goals and objectives. Azerbaijan is also an active partner of the 
United States in efforts regarding the nonproliferation of weapons of 
mass destruction through its participation in programs such as Caspian 
Guard and Cooperative Threat Reduction.
  On July 5, 2011, an Azerbaijani aircraft flying a support mission for 
NATO troops crashed as it descended into Bagram Airfield in 
Afghanistan. While it is my understanding that investigations are 
ongoing, it has come to my attention that one leading theory is that 
Taliban fighters may have shot down the aircraft as it made its final 
approach. While we await further information on exactly what happened 
that night in Afghanistan, it is important that we recognize the loss 
of life of the nine crew members on board that flight who made the 
ultimate sacrifice.
  While we can take comfort knowing that we are not alone in this 
fight, we must also make sure we comfort those who make sacrifices 
alongside us. It is with a heavy heart that I offer my thanks and 
appreciation to the family, friends, and countrymen to those crew 
members of Silk Way Airlines IL-76. The world is a safer place due to 
their commitment to support and supply our troops and allies in their 
hunt for those seeking to harm peace-loving people around the world.

                          ____________________