[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15049]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        ``REPEAL AN OLD RELIC''

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 26, 2012

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, 20 years ago this week then President 
George H.W. Bush signed the FREEDOM Support Act into law. This law gave 
money to the countries of the former Soviet Union to help them build 
democracies from the rubble of failed communism.
  That is, except one. Wrapped up in this big bill was a tiny 
provision, called ``Section 907,'' that forbid any money from going to 
the Republic of Azerbaijan.
  Azerbaijan is a strong partner of the United States. After 9/11, 
Azerbaijan allowed our planes to fly in its airspace and contributed 
troops to Afghanistan. With 7 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, 
it will be an important player in increasing Europe's energy security. 
The country is also a predominantly Muslim country that is a friend of 
Israel and the free market system, unlike its tyrannical neighbor Iran. 
Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama recognized the importance of 
our alliance with Azerbaijan and waived Section 907 via Executive Order 
every year since 2001.
  In fact, from Secretary Albright to Secretary Powell, Secretaries of 
State from both Republican and Democrat administrations over the last 
20 years have supported the repeal of Section 907. Congress should do 
away with this archaic and obsolete relic of the past and repeal 
Section 907. And that's just the way it is.

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