Berman Urges Clinton To Suspend Azerbaijan From NATO Partnership For

BERMAN URGES CLINTON TO SUSPEND AZERBAIJAN FROM NATO PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE

Thursday, September 27th, 2012

Rep. Howard Berman

The Ranking Democrat on Foreign Affairs Committee urges Clinton to
End US Arms Sales to Azerbaijan

VALLEY VILLAGE, Calif.~WRep. Rep. Howard L. Berman, the top Democrat on
the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote Secretary of State Clinton
today and called for Azerbaijan~Rs suspension from the NATO Partnership
for Peace Program and ending arms sales to Azerbaijan. Berman wrote
the letter following the recent pardoning of Azerbaijani axe-murderer
Ramil Safarov and his promotion to the rank of major in the Azerbaijani
military.

Berman is facing a re-election campaign this year against Rep. Brad
Sherman. The two will face off at a debate on Saturday at 6 p.m. at
Ferrahian High School~Rs Avetissian Hall. The debate is organized by
the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region.

The letter follows:

Dear Madam Secretary,

The recent pardoning by President Aliyev of the Azerbaijani
axe-murderer Ramil Safarov ~W and his promotion to the rank of major
in the Azerbaijani military ~W was indeed appalling. Aliyev~Rs action
makes a mockery of justice and shows contempt for NATO and its members,
as well as for NATO~Rs Partnership for Peace (PfP) program and all
states that participate in it. The State Department appropriately
issued a strong condemnation of Azerbaijan~Rs 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 Aiyev 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~Rs action, in its callous disregard
for Armenian life, obliterates any near-term hopes for building trust
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It 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.

Sincerely, U.S. Congressman Howard L. Berman

Editor~Rs Note: Berman is facing a re-election campaign this year
against Rep. Brad Sherman. The two will face off at a debate hosted
by the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region. on
Saturday at 6 p.m. at Ferrahian High School~Rs Avetissian Hall.