October 2, 2012
Berman Praises Taiwan’s Designation to Visa Waiver ProgramSeptember 27, 2012
Howard Berman Writes Secretary of State Clinton, Calls for Azerbaijan’s Suspension from NATO Partnership for Peace Program and Ending Arms Sales to AzerbaijanSeptember 12, 2012
U.S. Rep. Howard Berman Opening Statement for Hearing on “Beijing as an Emerging Power in the South China Sea”September 12, 2012
Berman Remembers Ambassador Chris Stevens, Condemns Attack on U.S. Consulate in LibyaSeptember 11, 2012
Berman Hails Passage of Resolution Calling for Taiwan’s Participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)September 11, 2012
Berman Praises Passage of North Korean Refugee Adoption ActSeptember 10, 2012
Berman Calls for Action on Iran’s Incitement to Genocide Against IsraelSeptember 7, 2012
Berman Denounces Iraqi Government Decision to Allow Iran to use AirspaceSeptember 7, 2012
Berman Statement on Designation of Haqqani Network as Foreign Terrorist OrganizationAugust 30, 2012
Howard Berman Statement on IAEA Director General Report regarding Iran’s Nuclear ProgramThursday, September 27, 2012
Valley Village, CA – U.S. Rep. Howard L. Berman, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote Secretary of State Clinton today and called for Azerbaijan’s 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.
The letter follows:
Dear Madam Secretary,
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 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's 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
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