Interview of Day.az with Azerbaijani ambassador to US Yashar Aliyev
Every year the president of the USA has suspended the effect of the 907th amendment. Will the administration of Barack Obama suspend it again?
As you know, The Congress authorized the US President starting from 2002 to on an annual basis suspend the validity of the 907th amendment. The effect of 907th amendment for 2009 is suspended.
As for 2010 fiscal year, щn June 23, the Committee on Appropriations of House of Representatives has approved the recommendations which in no way restore the effect of 907th amendment.
When, do you think, will the 907th amendment be abolished completely?
Let me cite the text, which comments the part of bill in sub clause “Minsk process”:
“The committee reaffirms that 907th amendment of the Freedom Support Act will exist as a law until the lasting dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Status of Nagorno Karabakh is resolved.
The committee supports so called “Minsk process” which provides forum for negotiations that aims to resolve the conflict by peaceful means; it also encourages the Department of State to continue its efforts of activation of the negotiation process this year.
The committee considers that both parties should refrain from threats, incitement to the use of force, or other inflammatory rhetoric.”
As can be concluded from the citation, the committee is not making any decisions regarding the 907th amendment and assigns the Department of State to hold consultations before the beginning of 2010 fiscal year.
I also want to read out the article which comments a part of the bill called “Support of peaceful resolution of conflicts in South Caucasus”:
“The committee supports the measures taken to strengthen the trust between parties in Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The committee expects Department of State to use its authority in accordance with article 498B of Foreign Assistance Act to implement such programs if needed so. The committee remains concerned with the condition of victims of Nagorno Karabakh conflict and recommends that 10 million dollars be given for humanitarian assistance in Nagorno Karabakh.”
Has the financial aid budget to foreign countries been approved?
It should be noted that the Law of the USA on appropriation goes through a long process of confirmation. It is expected that the Subcommittee of House of Representatives on financing of Department of State, foreign and corresponding programs has approved its recommendations, handing them over to the Committee on Appropriations, which as I mentioned before, on June 23 examined these recommendations and after approving them brought it with all the amendments to the attention of House of Representatives. House of Representatives plans to review the bill on appropriations for 2010 year on July 9-10.
Simultaneously, the same issue is being considered by Senate of the US as well. It is expected that the Subcommittee of Senate on appropriations will review this issue before the beginning of August recess. Later, the issue will be passed to the Committee of Senate on appropriations and then, to the general consideration of Senate, which in all probability will take place in fall. After all of this, both bills proposed by House of Representatives and Senate will be discussed all together at the general conference of House of Representatives and Senate on appropriations. The conformed project, accepted at the conference will be sent to House of Representatives and Senate for final approval.
In general the overall volume of assistance of the US to Azerbaijan and Armenia in 2010 fiscal year will remain the same as in previous years.
What actions are taken in Washington by the embassy regarding the issue of appropriations and the abolition of 907th amendment?
Since the beginning of this year, since February to be exact, the embassy has held this issue under great attention has done consecutive work and has met with different persons in Congress, National Security Council, and Department of State and in other structures as well.
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