[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
[March 17, 2004]
[Page 406]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Assistance to 
Azerbaijan
March 17, 2004

Dear _____ :
    On December 30, 2003, I exercised my authority to extend the waiver 
of section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, concerning assistance to 
Azerbaijan. Consistent with paragraph (g)(6) of the heading ``Assistance 
for the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union'' in title II of 
the Kenneth M. Ludden Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related 
Programs Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2002 (Public Law 107-115), I am 
providing the attached report prepared by my Administration concerning 
assistance provided pursuant to this waiver. The report describes the 
status of:

     All training and assistance provided to the Government of 
            Azerbaijan pursuant to the extension of the waiver of 
            section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act;
     The military balance between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the 
            impact of U.S. assistance on that balance; and
     Negotiations for a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh 
            conflict and the impact of U.S. assistance on those 
            negotiations.

    My Administration remains fully committed to continue working with 
the Congress and all concerned parties to bolster peace, prosperity, and 
freedom in the South Caucasus.
         Sincerely,

                                                          George W. Bush

Note: Identical letters were sent to Ted Stevens, chairman, and Robert 
C. Byrd, ranking member, Senate Committee on Appropriations, and C.W. 
Bill Young, chairman, and David R. Obey, ranking member, House Committee 
on Appropriations. This letter was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on March 18.