Conressman Berman calls on Secretary Clinton to suspend Azerbaijan’s
participation in NATO’s PfP program
11:54, 28 September, 2012
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: Democrat Congressman from
California, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
Howard Berman sent a letter to the US Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton concerning the extradition and pardon of a convicted murderer
Ramil Safarov. As Armenpress reports, the letter reads as follows.
`The recent pardoning by President Aliyev of the Azerbaijani
axe-murderer Ramil Safarov – and his promotion to the rank of major in
the Azerbaijani military – was indeed appalling. Aliyev’s action makes
a mockery of justice and shows contempt for NATO and its members, as
well as for NATO-s Partnership for Peace (PfP) program and all states
that participate in it. The State Department appropriately issued a
strong condemnation of Azerbaijan’s pardon. In my view, however, the
abhorrent nature of this pardon, as well as the gruesome nature of the
original crime and the context in which it occurred, demands something
more. It demands a strong and meaningful response.
Accordingly, in light of the fact that this unprovoked and horrific
murder occurred at a PfP event, I urge you to arrange for a joint
protest to President Aliyev by all members of NATO. Second, I urge
that NATO suspend Azerbaijan from all participation in PfP events
unless and until Aliyev rescinds the pardon and promotion and
re-incarcerates the killer, or returns him to Hungary, to serve the
remainder of his life sentence. Further, I strongly encourage you
immediately to halt all military assistance and arms transfers to
Azerbaijan. President Aliyev’s action, in its callous disregard for
Armenian life, obliterates any near-term hopes for building trust
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In thus undermines attempts to foster
peace in the volatile Caucasus region. It likewise serves to remind us
that a peaceful resolution regarding Nagorno Karabakh must provide
adequate security safeguards against Azerbaijani aggression. I look
forward to your response’.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2012/09/29/rep-berman-calls-on-sec-clinton-to-suspend-azerbaijan-from-nato-pfp/
