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FEEL the DIVERSITY PAGE 2 | a Special Report by the Washington Times Advocacy Department WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013

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FEEL the DIVERSITY PAGE 2 | a Special Report by the Washington Times Advocacy Department WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013 AZERBAIJAN FEEL THE DIVERSITY PAGE 2 | A Special Report By The Washington Times Advocacy Department WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2013 Promoting A Lasting Partnership Between Azerbaijan And America As the Chairman of the Azerbaijan America Alliance, I am distinctly proud to have the opportunity to share with you my thoughts about Azerbaijan, its people, and its importance to America and the world. Azerbaijani culture is undoubtedly one of the most diverse in the world. Azerbaijan’s population of nine million people represents aspects of European and Islamic heritages, as well as more recent Western influences. It is this diversity, as well as thousands of years of history, that contributes to the wide variety of endeavors in which Azerbaijan excels -- its breathtaking architecture, its traditional and modern music and dance, its much-celebrated local cuisine, and its unforgettable hospitality. I have experienced Azerbaijani hospitality while visiting the country. When I was chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Europe and Eurasia subcommittee, and as a private American citizen, I have had the opportunity to visit Azerbaijan on several occasions and met with President Ilham Aliyev. The government of Azerbaijan has shown strong friendship to the U.S. and has been committed to democratic and positive developments. Azerbaijan is located in a geopolitically crucial region, bordered by Iran to the south and Russia to the north, and stands as a stable, pro-Western nation in a turbulent region. Azerbaijan has consistently stood alongside the United States in the war on terror. Azerbaijan was among the first nations to provide military support to our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan and was one of the first countries to pledge support to the United States following the tragedy of 9/11. It is vital that the U.S. continues to strengthen its diplomatic bonds with Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijan America Alliance is dedicated to fostering mutual understanding and respect between the peoples of Azerbaijan and America. The Alliance is working to strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Azerbaijan through academic discussion, cultural programming, and social and political discourse. Azerbaijan is a true friend and ally of America. And America should be a true friend to the country and people of Azerbaijan. Sincerely, Dan Burton Former U.S. Representative Chairman, the Azerbaijan America Alliance Azerbaijan’s Partnership With The U.S. Fosters Democracy, Security In A Difficult Region role as the representative for Eastern terrorism, Azerbaijan has promised aid range of shared interests” between the to host the OSCE’s Parliamentary As- European nations underscores an im- to support Afghanistan’s security forces United States and Azerbaijan “inter- sembly next year. portant transformation over the past even after NATO troops are scheduled sects with many of the United States’ As a dynamic and modern state at two decades. Today, Azerbaijan is an to withdraw next year. highest foreign policy priorities.” the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and increasingly influential leader in the The United States is fortunate to Given this productive partnership, the Middle East, Azerbaijan is a criti- Caucasus region. have a stable ally in the Caspian region it is disappointing that the Obama Ad- cal ally worthy of the United States’ Azerbaijan’s continued recognition with a consistent track record of co- ministration largely panned the recent continued support and attention. Al- on the world stage is especially advan- operation. Although many agree that election of Azerbaijani President Ilham though its path toward democracy is tageous for the United States, given our additional steps are needed for demo- Aliyev while extoling the election of not everything we had hoped for, the two countries’ mutual interests. We cratic reform in the post-Soviet nation, President Hassan Rouhani in Iran. development of democratic principles share serious concerns about a nuclear it is encouraging that Azerbaijan has Unlike neighboring Azerbaijan, which promises to enhance U.S. security and Iran and a more assertive Russia. We emerged from decades of communist has worked to build diplomatic ties that of other free countries throughout also seek a safer and more prosperous rule on a path toward economic pros- with the West and respects democratic the world. world, where terrorists are on the run perity and freedom. ideals, Iran has made no secret of its Roger Wicker represents the state and the proliferation of weapons of Along the way, it has become a hostility toward the United States and of Mississippi in the U.S. Senate. He is mass destruction is on the decline. prominent energy provider that un- ambition to become a nuclear power. a senior member of the Senate Armed America swiftly saw Azerbaijan’s derstands the need to diversify energy One would expect America’s allies to Services Committee. steadfast commitment to fight terror- routes and resources to our European receive warmer treatment than our ad- ism in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, allies, who are often constrained by an versaries, despite legitimate concerns attacks. Azerbaijan extended an early over-reliance on energy from Russia. about the fairness of the recently held pledge of support for Operation Endur- New gas pipelines through Baku reaf- elections in both countries. ing Freedom in Afghanistan, granting firm Azerbaijan’s expanding leadership As a co-chair of the U.S. Helsinki overflight rights and later dispatching within the global energy market and Commission, which oversees America’s troops to serve alongside American enable our NATO allies to tap into commitments to the Organization for Senator Roger Wicker soldiers. Now, stabilization efforts in energy resources not controlled by Security and Cooperation in Europe (R-MS) Afghanistan are bolstered by Azerbai- the Kremlin. (OSCE), I had the opportunity to visit jan’s strategic location for transporting I join my colleagues from both po- the Caspian region earlier this year and supplies by land, sea, and air. More litical parties in hoping these successes meet with President Aliyev and Foreign At the end of this month, Azerbaijan than a third of the equipment sent to continue and that bilateral cooperation Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. I am will conclude its first-ever term as a U.S. troops in Afghanistan flies over or deepens. As U.S. Ambassador to Azer- hopeful that Azerbaijan will continue to non-permanent member of the United moves through the capital city of Baku. baijan Richard Morningstar said during advance its relationship with the OSCE Nations Security Council. This elected In keeping with its pledge to combat his confirmation last June, the “wide under their leadership as it prepares Time To Recognize Our Azerbaijan Alliance like Azerbaijan than the good old USA. In one example, Azerbaijan busi- Lyndon Johnson once said, “We are not embrace a greater role on the geopo- I politely agreed that there is much ness leaders and government officials about to send American boys 9 or 10 litical stage makes for comfortable bed distance, both culturally and mileage- are currently completing plans for a thousand miles away from home to do fellows with the west. This is not to say wise between our two nations. I was, natural gas line called the Southern what Asian boys ought to be doing for any of this will be easy. Governments however, quick to point out that all you Gas Corridor. The line would extend themselves,” and despite the failure of change, leaders fall out of favor and al- have to do is drive past a gas station on from the Caspian Sea, through Georgia that administration to honor his prom- liances change. As Neville Chamberlain High Point Road to understand how and into Turkey, with the final destina- ise, it would be safe to say the average and Napoleon so aptly demonstrated, important some of these foreign na- tions being Italy and the rest of Europe. American would still agree with his nothing in international politics is ever tions have become. Since Saudi Arabia and Russia have sentiment today. The United States simple. It does, however, make lots of Azerbaijan is an emerging ally of dominated fuel exports, adding com- is currently winding down 11 years of sense to welcome our friends from the United States that is conveniently petition to the export markets can only overseas wars, which have drained the Azerbaijan with open arms and invite wedged between the Russian Fed- have a positive effect on international economy and exhausted our military. them, at least metaphorically, to our eration to the north and Iran to the prices. It is no wonder why the Russian By having an ally who can represent tailgate parties and holiday parades. By south. It is a nation that shares with Federation might be dismayed over loss western goals, we can keep our mili- joining together with other supporters North Carolina both a collection of of control in the European markets, tary personnel at Fort Bragg and Camp in the Azerbaijan Caucus, we can work noted lighthouses and an agricultural control which resulted in a devastat- LeJuene from heading back to a region to build relationships and share ideas. heritage. From the Caspian Sea on the ing decision to turn off supplies in the of the world that is running amok with Who knows, we might even make a few east coast to the Caucuses in the west, winter of 2009, staggering the economy anti-western intentions. To the north, Tarheels out of them after all. Azerbaijan has many features similar of Europe. Russia has emerged as the local bully to our own state. In recent years, it has Besides fuel prices in the Sixth Dis- and President Putin’s recent handling also proven to be a notably strategic trict, another positive aspect for sup- of the Syrian situation vaults him into country for two reasons.
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