    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 12 (Monday, March 22, 2004)]
    [Pages 424-425]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Assistance
    Provided 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.

    [[Page 425]]

    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:
     <bullet>    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;
     <bullet>    The military balance between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the
                impact of U.S. assistance on that balance; and
     <bullet>    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.