05/29/14 - Statement submitted for the Congressional Record on Azerbaijan Republic Day - Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my best wishes to the people of Azerbaijan as they celebrate Republic Day. This year marks the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, when the people of Azerbaijan first gained their independence from the Russian Empire on May 28, 1918. Although Azerbaijan's independence was ended by Soviet forces in 1920, it is noteworthy that the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan was the world's first secular parliamentary democratic republic in a predominantly Muslim nation - earning diplomatic recognition from the United States during the administration of President Woodrow Wilson. We also recall with admiration that the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan granted universal suffrage to its citizens in 1918, making it the first Muslim country to give women the right to vote.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan restored its independence in 1991. Parliament adopted the Constitution Act on the Restoration of the State of Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on October 18, 1991.

For the people of Azerbaijan, these last two decades of independence have not been without challenges. At the top of the list would be the ongoing conflict with Armenia. Although a cease fire was signed in 1994, more than 20% of Azerbaijan's territory - including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts - remains under Armenian occupation, leaving Azerbaijan to cope with hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced persons. In 1993, the U.N. Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding complete, unconditional and immediate withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. I am happy that Azerbaijan is committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict with Armenia, and I support a swift and peaceful resolution to this conflict as well.

Azerbaijan is a key global security partner for the United States. Azerbaijan and the United States cooperate in countering terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and narcotics trafficking. Azerbaijani troops serve shoulder to shoulder with U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, as they previously did in Kosovo and Iraq. In support of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan has extended important over-flight clearances for U.S. and NATO flights as well as regularly providing landing and refueling operations at its airports for U.S. and NATO forces. Azerbaijan also plays an important role in the Northern Distribution Network, a supply route to Afghanistan, by making available its ground and Caspian naval transportation facilities.

Azerbaijan has emerged as a key player for enhancing global energy security, at a particularly critical time in light of ongoing events in Ukraine. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline are the main arteries delivering Caspian Sea energy resources to global markets, and completion of the Southern Gas Corridor - which will run from the Caspian Sea through Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Greece, and Albania into Italy - will increase the energy security of key American allies by increasing the amount of natural gas from the Caspian Sea to European markets.

Notably, Azerbaijan also provides roughly 40% of Israel's oil consumption. What may be more surprising to some is that Azerbaijan - a predominantly Muslim country - enjoys friendly ties with Israel beyond oil sales. Jews have resided in Azerbaijan for 2,500 years without persecution and today, the Jewish community in Azerbaijan numbers as high as 35,000. Azerbaijan is also home to Christian communities and has been praised for its religious tolerance by the European Parliament.

As a co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I congratulate the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of Republic Day. I hope the United States and Azerbaijan will continue to work together to advance a partnership that benefits both of our nations.

02/25/14 - Statement submitted for the Congressional Record on Khojaly - Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 22nd anniversary of the Khojaly massacre in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. Khojaly , once the home to 7,000 people, was the site of the largest killing of ethnic Azerbaijani civilians in the course of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. On February 25, 1992, Armenian armed forces descended on Khojaly killing 613 people, of which 106 were women and 83 were children. Fifty-six people were reported to have been killed with extreme cruelty and torture. In addition, 1,275 people were taken hostage, 150 went missing and 487 people became disabled. Also according to records that have been maintained, 76 of the victims were teenagers, 8 families were wiped out and 25 children lost both of their parents while 130 lost one of their parents.

The extent of the cruelty of this massacre against women, children and the elderly was unfathomable. Today, the Nagorno-Karabakh region is under Armenian occupation, and this year's anniversary serves to remind us of the need to redouble efforts to help resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. As the U.S., Russia and France are co-chairs of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) Minsk Group, which is charged with finding a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, we all must work diligently to bring about a swift end to this ongoing conflict.

The United States and Azerbaijan enjoy a strong partnership based on shared strategic interests. Our countries share many values, including a vision for greater diversity and tolerance as well as respect for minorities and gender rights. We have worked together to prevent the spread of extremism and Azerbaijan's vital contribution to the U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo cannot be understated. The United States, along with our European allies, also recognize Azerbaijan's leadership role in bringing stability to energy markets in the region and abroad.

Mr. Speaker, Azerbaijan is a strong ally and friend of the United States in a strategically important and complex region of the world. As Azerbaijanis around the world observe this painful chapter in their country's history and remember lost loved ones, let us remember our support of peaceful efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and reforms that promote regional stability. I ask my colleagues to join me and our Azerbaijani friends in commemorating the tragedy that befell the town of Khojaly.

05/22/13 - Statement submitted for the Congressional Record on Azerbaijan - Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the people of the Republic of Azerbaijan --as they are celebrating the 95th anniversary of the Republic Day on May 28.

The Republic Day commemorates the day Azerbaijan first declared independence from the Russian Empire on May 28, 1918. Though the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan was ended by occupying Soviet forces in 1920, in its 2 years of independence Azerbaijan made important accomplishments on state-building, armed forces, education, their economy, and universal suffrage, from which it benefits today.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan restored its independence in 1991. Parliament adopted the Constitution Act on the Restoration of the State of Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on October 18, 1991.

The last two decades of independence has not been without challenges. The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was violated and the Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions of Azerbaijan have been occupied by neighboring Armenia. In 1993 the UN Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding complete, unconditional, and immediate withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan . I am happy that Azerbaijan is committed to peaceful resolution of the conflict with Armenia, and I support a swift, peaceful resolution to this conflict, as well.

Azerbaijan is a key global security partner for the United States. Azerbaijan has extended important over-flight clearances for U.S. and NATO flights to support ISAF and has regularly provided landing and refueling operations at its airports for U.S. and NATO forces. Also, Azerbaijan plays an important role in the Northern Distribution Network, a supply route to Afghanistan, by making available its ground and Caspian naval transportation facilities. Azerbaijan was also the first predominantly Muslim country to send troops to Iraq.

Azerbaijan has opened Caspian energy resources to development by U.S. companies and has emerged as a key player for global energy security. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project is the most successful project contributing to the development of the South Caucasus region and has become the main artery delivering Caspian Sea hydrocarbons to the U.S. and our partners in Europe. Notably, Azerbaijan also provides roughly 40% of Israel's oil consumption. Azerbaijan is considered a leading initiator of the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) which will open up the Southern Gas Corridor to Europe. As a co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I congratulate the Republic of Azerbaijan on the Republic Day. I believe we will continue to work with them to advance our partnership which benefits both the US and Azerbaijan . I look forward to further collaboration between our two nations.

03/12/13 - Shuster and Cohen sent Dear Colleague urging members not to attend Karabakh event or support Karabakh and claiming that Karabakh has always been part of Azerbaijan. Letter on file.

02/06/13 - Dear Colleague circulated on Azeri Caucus -

Join the CONGRESSIONAL AZERBAIJAN CAUCUS
From: The Honorable Bill Shuster
Sent By: jamie.boone@mail.house.gov
Date: 2/6/2013

JOIN THE CONGRESSIONAL AZERBAIJAN CAUCUS

Dear Colleague:

As the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, we work together to highlight and promote the valuable bilateral relationship between the United States and Azerbaijan. We invite you to join us in this important effort by becoming a member of the Azerbaijan Caucus.

The largest and fastest growing country in the South Caucasus with a population of 9.2 million, Azerbaijan re-gained its independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This secular country with the Republican form of Government enjoys a close and committed strategic relationship with the United States. Over the last two decades our two countries have developed a robust and growing relationship. Bilateral trade is expanding as Azerbaijan diversifies its economy.

Azerbaijan was the first predominantly Muslim country to send troops to Afghanistan and Iraq, serves an important role in the Northern Distribution Network providing ground, air and naval transit for roughly 35% of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) coalition?s supplies bound for Afghanistan. Azerbaijan is a partner in counterterrorism and nonprolifieration efforts, and continues to be an indispensable ally to the United States in the Caspian Sea region. Moreover, Azerbaijan is home to a large Jewish community and maintains close, friendly ties with Israel.

In addition, Azerbaijan is an important player in the global energy market as a producer of oil and natural gas. The development of Azerbaijan?s natural resources contributes greatly to the energy security of the United States, Israel and Europe. Since 2006, the Baku Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline has moved around one million barrels of Caspian oil daily from Azerbaijan to Turkey?s Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, bypassing Russian pipelines to deliver crude oil to the world?s oil market. Development of the second phase of the giant Shah Deniz gas field and construction of Azerbaijan-initiated Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) will greatly contribute to the opening of the Southern Gas Corridor that will be delivering non-Russian, non-Middle Eastern gas to the European market.

If you are interested in additional information related to Azerbaijan, or to become a member of the Caucus please contact Jamie Boone (Rep. Shuster) at 5-2431 or Jamie.boone@mail.house.govor Marilyn Dillihay (Rep. Cohen) at 5-3265 or Marilyn.dillihay@mail.house.gov.

Sincerely,


Bill Shuster Steve Cohen

Member of Congress Member of Congress

02/06/13 - Statement submitted for the Congressional Record on Khojaly - Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the Khojaly massacre perpetrated by Armenian armed forces on February 25-26, 1992 in the town of Khojaly in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. Khojaly, now under the occupation of Armenian armed forces, was the site of the largest killing of ethnic Azerbaijani civilians in the course of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.

Khojaly, once the home to 7,000 people, was completely destroyed. Six hundred thirteen people were killed, of which 106 were women, 83 were children and 56 were purported to have been killed with extreme cruelty and torture. In addition, 1,275 people were taken hostage, 150 went missing and 487 people became disabled. Also in the records maintained, 76 of the victims were teenagers, 8 families were wiped out and 25 children lost both of their parents while 130 lost one of their parents. According to Human Rights Watch and other international observers, the Armenian Armed forces were reportedly aided by the Russian 366th Motor Rifle Regiment.

At the time, Newsweek magazine reported: ``Azerbaijan was a charnel house again last week: a place of mourning refugees and dozens of mangled corpses dragged to a makeshift morgue behind the mosque. They were ordinary Azerbaijani men, women and children of Khojaly, a small village in war-torn Nagorno-Karabakh overrun by Armenian forces on 25-26 February. Many were killed at close range while trying to flee; some had their faces mutilated, others were scalped.''

As part of the Khojaly population that tried to escape, they encountered violent ambushes that led to abuses, torture, mutilation and death. The Russian organization, Memorial, stated that 200 Azerbaijani corpses were brought from Khojaly to Agdam within four days.

Time magazine published the following description: ``While the details are argued, this much is plain: something grim and unconscionable happened in the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly 2 weeks ago. So far, some 200 dead Azerbaijanis, many of them mutilated, have been transported out of the town tucked inside the Armenian-dominated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh for burial in neighboring Azerbaijan . The total number of deaths--the Azerbaijanis claim 1,324 civilians have been slaughtered, most of them women and children--is unknown.''

The extent of the cruelty of this massacre against women, children and the elderly was unfathomable. This anniversary reminds us of the need to redouble efforts to help resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. The United States as a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group should intensify its efforts to reach a resolution of this protracted conflict.

Mr. Speaker, Azerbaijan is a strong ally of the United States in a strategically important and complex region of the world. I ask my colleagues to join me and our Azerbaijani friends in commemorating the tragedy that occurred in the town of Khojaly.