A Quarter Century Since Restoring Independence, A Thriving U.S. Ally A Special Report Prepared By The Washington Times Advocacy Department From tragedy to independence How Azerbaijan turned a 1990 massacre into freedom elements, namely a strong, unquestion- able commitment to its independence and the inclusive nature of its tolerant society, remain at the core of Azerbai- jan’s strategic importance. Despite a his- tory of imperial domination, the people of Azerbaijan persevered, sacrificed and ultimately won the freedom and independent future they sought. In fact, Azerbaijan was the first nation of the So- viet empire or Eastern Europe to become free of any foreign military presence on its soil. Independence has given Azerbaijan Courtesy of The Fletcher School/John Davis Photography the ability to act in the best interest of our own people without outside By Elin Suleymanov interference. Azerbaijan’s strengths today include energy security, a grow- itself, and for its international partners. On that day a quarter-century ago, wenty-five years ago this ing economy, modern infrastructure A people who have struggled and an independent nation was reborn. In month, while President and a remarkable degree of stability. suffered in their quest for freedom and today’s world, where differences seem George H.W. Bush was deliv- Independence has allowed us to pursue independence guard both. These people to matter more than common humanity, ering his State of the Union and achieve our peoples’ centuries-long demonstrated their commitment to these Azerbaijan’s vision of inclusive intercul- message before a joint ses- dream of a prosperous and successful aspirations 25 years ago. The Soviet tural dialogue enriched by the experi- sion of Congress, Soviet nation. This is no small accomplishment troops who shot and killed so many ence of creating in 1918 the first-ever troops attacked unarmed ci- anywhere, but especially in the com- citizens of Azerbaijan indiscriminately democratic republic with a predomi- vilian protesters in the Azerbaijani capi- plicated geopolitical neighborhood in that day gunned down a diverse group of nantly Muslim population sets a valuable T n Ttal of Baku, killing some 133 people and which we are located. freedom lovers, including Azerbaijanis, global example. wounding hundreds of others. The Soviet Azerbaijan is a reliable international Russians, Tatars, Jews and others. People This tradition continues under TME effort to crush the growing Azerbaijani partner. History has shown that unstable of all ethnicities and faiths were killed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The ar pro-independence movement culminated nations with compromised sovereignty the troops of a collapsing Soviet empire nation’s commitment to inclusiveness EP d in the largest massacre in a generation, pose the greatest threat to peace and se- that night, and people of all faiths and and openness is widely recognized in the y C but it failed miserably, hastened the end curity while stable, prosperous societies ethnicities of Azerbaijan came to mourn world, be it among the Muslim nations, a of the Soviet Union and led directly to committed to the fundamentals of inter- the victims. Led by Azerbaijan’s Chris- by the Vatican or by Israel, an important VOC our formal declaration of independence national law promote peace and estab- tian, Jewish and Muslim denominations, partner of Azerbaijan. ad s two years later. lish the basis for continued democratic 1 million people marched in Baku on a Azerbaijan’s passionate devotion to The events of 1990 helped crystallize reforms. A stable, prosperous Azerbaijan cold January day in 1990 in a spectacular meaningful independence and rejection TIME key elements of the Azerbaijani social is good for its people, for the strategi- act of defiance against a Soviet army- of radicalism is sometimes misunder- n and political identity. Two of those cally important region in which it finds imposed curfew. stood. It is easy enough for those who GTO don’t live in our neighborhood to fault n I us for not acting precisely as they might ASH like, but it is dangerous and foolish to E W simply ignore the map of the world or to h T minimize the value of stable and inde- y B pendent allies in our region. There are d E even some in the West, including the U.S. ar Commission on Religious Freedom, who s EP continue to view religious radicalism as r TIME some sort of theoretical problem rather T P n r than a truly dangerous global threat with GTO EPO which those who live in our region must n r I L contend. While we appreciate construc- a ASH tive criticism and advice, the driving PECI E W force behind our policies and strong s h a T partnership with the United States will | remain the choices, desires and interests of our people. For a quarter-century, every Jan. 20 citizens of Azerbaijan of all persuasions bring red carnations to the memorial of the tragedy. It is, however, a truly independent, successful and diverse Azerbaijan that is the best tribute to the sacrifices of those who died on the streets of Baku at the hands of a collaps- ing Soviet regime. Thursday • January 29 • 2015 • January Thursday Elin Suleymanov is Azerbaijan’s am- 2 bassador to the United States. Why Azerbaijan matters to the United States as an energy producer, a staunch oppo- Russian energy supplies. Too often equipment and supplies. The country nent of Russia and Iran, and a reliable Russia has used its dominate position provides a secure transit route for 40 international ally. in the energy markets as a weapon to percent of the NATO International A sensible energy policy is multi- bully its neighbors. It has raised gas Security Forces operating in Afghani- pronged, and Azerbaijan is part of prices indiscriminately in Eastern Eu- stan. United States and Azeri military that equation, especially in relation to ropean nations and has even blocked continue to work side-by-side in the discussion on neutralizing Rus- shipments in the dead of winter. training Afghani police, border guards, sia. Early on, Azerbaijan opened its Not only has Azerbaijan played an and civilian and military doctors. Ad- rich oil and gas resources to foreign important role in the global energy ditionally, cooperation between the investment from companies from market, but they have also been a stra- two countries extends into efforts to Europe and the United States. The tegic partner in matters of global secu- counter international terror, nuclear Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline rity. As we have seen in recent months, proliferation and narcotics trafficking. originating in Azerbaijan, currently terrorist regimes have reared their ugly Now, more than ever, we must exports roughly 1 million barrels of oil head, looking to destabilize the region strengthen our current relationships per day. The proposed Trans-Caspian or even launch attacks against Ameri- with allies new and old. Azerbaijan has Gas pipeline, however, is currently in a can interests. Azerbaijan is strategi- continually shown their willingness holding pattern because of opposition cally located in the epicenter of where to cooperate with our government to from Iran and Russia. Both pipelines most of the hostile and politically-un- foster a healthier, more stable Middle will ultimately be the region’s great stable countries are located, and where East and Eurasia. It is imperative for equalizer. This energy supply will help acts of terrorism are common. And the future of our national security that By Rep. Randy Weber Europe finally relinquish its reliance on yet, this majority Shiite Muslim nation we continue down a path of collabora- Russian oil and gas. counts Israel among one of its clos- tion and show that we will be a strong Why would a relatively stable coun- Pipeline infrastructure is critically est allies. Azerbaijan provides up to and strategic partner to Azerbaijan for try at the intersection of the Middle important for the energy security of 40 percent of Israel’s oil imports, and years to come. East, Europe and Asia, with a strong the United States and Europe, and is in return, acquires advanced military economy and burgeoning energy sup- the most efficient method of trans- equipment, anti-aircraft and missile Rep. Randy Weber is a Republican who ply, matter to the United States? It’s a porting fossil fuels. The United States defense systems, as well as drones represents the 14th District of Texas in the great question with a relatively easy should play a positive role in efforts from Israel. U.S. House of Representayives and serves answer. In 1991, Azerbaijan gained its to support the construction of this Bordering both Russia and Iran on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. A SPECIAL REPORT PREPARED BY THE WASHINGTON TIMES ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT TIMES ADVOCACY THE WASHINGTON BY PREPARED REPORT A SPECIAL independence from the Soviet Union project so that Azerbaijan will be able and a critical gateway to Afghanistan, and has since proven to be a strong to get more of its product to European Azerbaijan has also been a strategic strategic partner to the United States consumers in search of relief from transit location for U.S. military troops, Azerbaijan: A Strategic American Ally That Must Receive Our Full Support Russia to the North, Iran to the South been very clear in its opposition to just because it’s in our interests to do and the Caspian Sea to the East. Azer- the Russian meddling in Ukraine. In so, but because they have also sup- baijan is of particular importance since fact, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova ported us in some of our darkest days. it holds the rights to significant re- were the only post-Soviet States to vote After the terrorist attacks on Septem- serves of oil and gas in the region.