Azerbaijan-Israeli relations

[sev]

Iran invites Armenian defense minister to Tehran


Baku – APA. Armenian defense minister Seyran Ohanyan has been invited to Iran. APA reports quoting “Armtoday” that Iran’s ambassador to Armenia handed over the invitation to Ohanyan on behalf of Iranian defense minister Mustafa Muhammad Najjar.

Ohanyan in return extended his congratulations on Mahmoud Ahmedinejat’s reelection as the president. He expressed confidence that Armenia-Iran relations would further develop and step into a new stage.

It should be noted that a tension is observed in Iran-Azerbaijan relations after the Israeli President’s visit to Azerbaijan. Iran even recalled its ambassador in Azerbaijan to Tehran. Moreover, Iranian officials and press expresses strict statements against Azerbaijan

APA - Iran invites Armenian defense minister to Tehran

[sev]

Armenian Reporter:

Israel, Azerbaijan to step up military cooperation


Washington - An Israeli company will launch production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Azerbaijan, and the two countries will cooperate in other military areas, including satellite technology, Azerbaijani news agencies reported. The deals were reportedly finalized as Israeli President Shimon Peres visited Azerbaijan on June 28-29.

Since the opening of the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline in 2006, Azerbaijan became one of the largest crude-oil suppliers to Israel. Israel has in turn emerged as a major arms supplier to Azerbaijan. Supplies have already including artillery systems, communications equipment, and UAVs.

Although Azerbaijan continues to threaten a military confrontation with Armenia, and during his visit Mr. Peres reportedly promised that Israel and the Jewish Diaspora "will do all [they] can to support Azerbaijan's territorial integrity," there was no immediate reaction from Armenia.

Mr. Peres' visit took place despite open opposition expressed by senior Iranian officials. And street protests in Baku were quickly dispersed by police. Still, according to the Islam.ru news service, officials decided not to hoist flags of the visiting leader's country around Baku, as they customarily do, apparently wary of incidents.

[sev]

Looking Eastward: Peres proves a hit in Azerbaijan

During the first leg of his unprecedented four-day trip to the two former Soviet Muslim republics of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, President Shimon Peres stopped over for a weekend visit in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan. His visit sent a clear message to neighboring Iran, negating assertions of groups like al-Qaida and representatives of Muslim countries that Jews and Muslims are doomed to perpetual conflict.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev, right, and his visiting Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres, left, shake hands during their meeting in the Azerbaijani capital Baku, Sunday.




Even before embarking on his visit, Peres set the tone by telling Azerbaijani news agency Trend News that tolerance for other religions typifies both countries.
"A lot of things unite us," he said. "Azerbaijan manifests tolerance and respect to the point where Jews, Muslims and Christians can live without hatred and fanaticism. That is why [Azerbaijan] for me is a special country which I can trust. This country has its own cultural roots. Oil can be bought, but culture needs to be created.
"Azerbaijan is a small nation. Both Azerbaijan and Israel face the same problem: how can a small nation become great? You can become great regardless of the size of your territory if you accept all the riches of modern science and technology."
Peres also emphasized the desire of the Israeli leadership to share technological and scientific assets with Azerbaijan. He continued his interview by saying that "Israel does not possess significant territory, water, natural gas or petroleum. That is why we have to rely on our brainpower and our science. We will share everything we possess with Azerbaijan in the areas of common interest." Well-briefed about the paternalistic nature of the Aliyev regime, Peres paid tribute to Heydar Aliyev, the late father of current Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. He mentioned that he had met Heydar Aliyev twice and was impressed with this "highly educated man, who respected tradition."




To further endear himself to his Azerbaijani hosts, Peres pointed to the established democratic tradition in this secular country. He mentioned that Azerbaijani women gained suffrage before such Western countries as Switzerland and the United States.
Peres also focused on the shared experience of living in a hostile neighborhood. Pointing to the Armenian occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and unfriendly activities of the Iranian state apparatus, he said: "I am aware that Azerbaijan faces a difficult problem emanating from your neighbors. In politics, it is impossible to choose neighbors, as it is impossible in the family to choose one's parents. Such is life. Israel fully supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan."
Calling for full diplomatic representation and the opening of an embassy in Israel, Peres intimated that Israel expresses its support for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity in international forums. For Azerbaijan to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh issue positively, Peres called upon its authorities not only to get closer to Israel, but also to strengthen ties with American Jewry. THIS VISIT represents the consummation of a trend begun in 1992 to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation in economics, agriculture, science and military affairs.
Peres was accompanied by Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer and National Infrastructures Minister Uzi Landau, the director-general of the Defense Ministry, top executives of Israel Military Industries, and 60 businessmen seeking to tighten economic ties with both Azerbaijan and nearby Khazakstan, two Caspian Sea states.
Among other issues, energy security occupied pride of place. Plans for pipelines to deliver Azerbaijani natural gas to Israel via Georgia and Turkey were discussed. Ben-Eliezer, as the infrastructure minister in the previous government, was directly involved in negotiations about cooperation in energy and water management,and Landau was briefed about the details.On the first day of his visit, Peres met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and other officials for talks on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues, according to the Azerbaijani news agency Azertaj. This discussion touched on two interrelated issues - the unresolved conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh and relations with Iran, which supports Armenia. Both leaders signed agreements boosting cooperation in culture, education, science and hi-tech. Concerned about threats emanating from their neighbors and improving the balance of power vis-à-vis Armenia, Azerbaijani officials also expressed interest in buying more Israeli arms, in addition to several previous multimillion-dollar deals.
Exploiting the common bond of Shi'ite Islam, Iranian secret services for years have been attempting to create secret pro-Iranian cells in Azerbaijan; they sponsor the Azerbaijani Islamic Party. On June 17, police briefly detained 19 members of the pro-Iranian party for protesting Peres's visit outside the Foreign Ministry in Baku. The Israeli delegation's arrival coincided with the trial of four Azerbaijanis and two Lebanese charged with plotting to blow up the Israeli Embassy in Baku last year. Azerbaijani authorities allege the suspects were connected with Hizbullah and al-Qaida.
Before Peres's visit, the Iranian leadership had tried arm-twisting in an attempt to force Azerbaijan to cancel it. That was the purpose of last month's visit by Iranian Chief of Staff Hasan Firuzabadi. According to Azerbaijani MP Gudrat Gasanguliev, the Iranian media fanned hysteria during the days of the Peres visit, claiming that there were mass rallies in Azerbaijan to protest the meeting. The final straw in this anti-Israeli campaign was the departure of the Iranian ambassador from Baku - allegedly as a sign of solidarity with the people of Azerbaijan - as Peres arrived in the airport. Gasanguliev said in parliament on June 30 that "Azerbaijan extends friendly ties with Iran, while the Iranian authorities openly express their enmity." He concluded about the Israeli visit that "the majority of the population welcomed the visit and the further expansion of Azerbaijani-Israeli relations."


Column: Peres proves a hit in Azerbaijan | Columnists | Jerusalem Post

[sev]

American Jews attempt to impede US assistance to Karabakh


09.07.2009 17:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “To the best of my knowledge, US has already started talking Senate out of adopting a resolution on assisting Karabakh. Armenians hurry too much, and I don’t think they will easily manage to push forward with their initiative,” leader of European Jews Genadi Zelmanovich said.

“After Israeli President Shimon Peres’ visit to Baku, the world changed its attitude to Azerbaijan. Many Jewish organizations abroad are now keen on considering Azerbaijan as Israel’s friend country. I believe American Jews will unite with their diaspora representatives in Azerbaijan for making relevant response to Armenian lobby,” 1news.az quotes Peres as saying.

On July 9, US Senate’s Appropriation Committee will hold voting over the issue of providing foreign aid. Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) called upon Senate Committee Chair Daniel Inoy to support the bill on providing $70 million to Armenia and $10 million – to Nagorno Karabakh, as well as restore the parity in providing military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan.

ANCA reported earlier that US President’s Administration had proposed to cut aid to Armenia by 38% and increase military assistance to Azerbaijan.

House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations has already put the bill to vote. Committee members have voted for allocating $48 to Armenia and $10 million – to Karabakh. Congressmen also voted in favor of maintaining parity in providing military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Armenian News - PanARMENIAN.Net | Armenian News Agency - American Jews attempt to impede US assistance to Karabakh

[Armenian]

Originally Posted by sev

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “To the best of my knowledge, US has already started talking Senate out of adopting a resolution on assisting Karabakh. Armenians hurry too much, and I don’t think they will easily manage to push forward with their initiative,” leader of European Jews Genadi Zelmanovich said.

“After Israeli President Shimon Peres’ visit to Baku, the world changed its attitude to Azerbaijan. Many Jewish organizations abroad are now keen on considering Azerbaijan as Israel’s friend country. I believe American Jews will unite with their diaspora representatives in Azerbaijan for making relevant response to Armenian lobby,” 1news.az quotes Peres as saying.

On July 9, US Senate’s Appropriation Committee will hold voting over the issue of providing foreign aid. Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) called upon Senate Committee Chair Daniel Inoy to support the bill on providing $70 million to Armenia and $10 million – to Nagorno Karabakh, as well as restore the parity in providing military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan.

ANCA reported earlier that US President’s Administration had proposed to cut aid to Armenia by 38% and increase military assistance to Azerbaijan.

House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations has already put the bill to vote. Committee members have voted for allocating $48 to Armenia and $10 million – to Karabakh. Congressmen also voted in favor of maintaining parity in providing military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Armenian News - PanARMENIAN.Net | Armenian News Agency - American Jews attempt to impede US assistance to Karabakh

Senate Panel Approves $30 Million for Armenia; $22 Million for Azerbaijan

WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved President Obama’s proposed fiscal year (FY) 2010 foreign assistance levels of $30 million for Armenia and $22 million for Azerbaijan, as part of a $48.7 billion foreign aid package. Complete information on economic and military assistance to the Caucasus region to follow.

The Senate panel’s vote comes in sharp contrast to House Appropriations Committee approved allocations of $48 million for Armenia. The full House is scheduled to vote on the FY2010 foreign aid bill by Friday, July 10th.

Following full Senate and House consideration of the measures, a conference committee will convene to work out differences between the two bills.

In an April 3, 2009 letter sent to foreign aid appropriators, members of the Armenian Caucus, co-chaired by Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), called for strengthening Section 907, allocating $70 million in economic aid to Armenia, $5 million in assistance to Armenia’s military, $10 million in development aid to Nagorno Karabagh, and the removal of official barriers to U.S.-Nagorno Karabagh contacts and communications.

Senate Panel Approves $30 Million for Armenia; $22 Million for Azerbaijan | Asbarez News

[Armenian]

House Adopts $48 Million for Armenia; $10 Million for Karabakh; Maintains Military Aid Parity


Senate Appropriations Committee Maintains President’s Request for Armenia Aid While Cutting Foreign Aid Budget

WASHINGTON–On Thursday evening, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the earlier Appropriations Committee requests for $48 million in U.S. aid to Armenia and $10 million aid to Karabakh, while maintaining military assistance parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan as part of the fiscal year (FY) 2010 foreign assistance package, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.)

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-chair Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Armenian Genocide resolution lead sponsor Adam Schiff (D-CA), all active supporters of Armenia assistance provisions, welcomed the House decision.

Rep. Kirk noted that the bill “also includes a new requirement for the Administration to consult with Congress before exercising its waiver authority for assistance to Azerbaijan granted under section 907 of the Foreign Assistance Act.”

Specifically, the bill states: “The Committee reaffirms that Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act is still in effect, pending a settlement of the ongoing dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Committee supports the so-called “Minsk Process” that provides a forum for negotiations toward a peaceful settlement of the conflict, and encourages the Department of State to continue its efforts to reenergize the negotiating process this year. As this process moves forward, the Committee believes that all parties in the conflict must refrain from threats, incitement to the use of force, or other inflammatory rhetoric. Recognizing that the Congress gave the President broad waiver authority with respect to Section 907 in the fiscal year 2002 Appropriations Act and that this waiver has been exercised in every fiscal year since then, the Committee directs that the Department of State consult with the Committees on Appropriations before exercising this waiver for fiscal year 2010 to ensure that all conditions under the waiver provision are being fully met.”

Rep. Schiff noted that, for the first time, “the report accompanying the [foreign aid] bill references the policy of parity in military assistance provided to Armenia and Azerbaijan.” Despite Bush and Obama Administration calls to break military assistance parity, Congress has maintained the provision, concerned about providing greater military assistance to an Azerbaijani leadership which continues threats of war against neighboring Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh.

The FY 2010 House Appropriations bill keeps foreign military financing to both countries at $3 million and International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance at $450,000 each.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved President Obama’s request of $30 million in assistance to Armenia, while cutting the overall foreign aid funding budget. Similar to previous years’ measures, the bill does not make a specific assistance allocation for Nagorno Karabagh and remains silent on foreign military assistance and IMET funding.

“The ANCA welcomes House passage of the foreign aid bill, and particularly the increased assistance for Nagorno Karabagh and maintaining military assistance parity for Azerbaijan and Armenia,” reported ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. “Given the ongoing economic hardship caused by the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades of Armenia, and President Aliyev’s consistent threats of war against his neighbors, we are disappointed with the Senate Appropriations Committee’s allocation of only $30 million for Armenia. We look forward to working with Senate and House conferees to ensure that the final bill reflects appropriate funding levels, which promote stability and economic progress in the region.”

The Senate has yet to consider its version of the foreign aid bill, after which Senate and House appropriators will confer on a final version of the measure, to be sent to President Obama for signature.

Source: House Adopts $48 Million for Armenia; $10 Million for Karabakh; Maintains Military Aid Parity | Asbarez News

[sev]

SOURCE White House Releases Details of Armenia Azerbaijan Settlement

White House Releases Details of Armenia Azerbaijan Settlement

In a recent G8 meeting in Italy the presidents of USA, France and Russia called for a settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and yesterday the White House released the basic principles according to which the conflict may be settled if the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan agree in an upcoming meeting on July 17 in Moscow.

The principles look fair for Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, one thing is missing. While the principles call for a "legally binding expression of will" to determine the final legal status of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, the question of who's will is very important here.

The negotiators of Armenia have to make sure that the details of where and how the expression of will is conducted are clearly written in the legally binding document. No body wants to be surprised if one day Azerbaijan says that the "expression of will" has to be conducted throughout Azerbaijan, while everyone is assuming that the expression of will or a referendum is to be conducted in the territory of Nagorno Karabakh Republic. This will prevent a future possible conflict and help the people of the three countries to focus on peace building and advancing the prosperity of the region.

The document should clearly say that the "expression of will" is to be conducted only within the boundaries of Nagorno Karabakh's territory and not throughout Azerbaijan. I write these lines because in the past Azerbaijan has signaled that the referendum can be conducted in the entire Azerbaijan and the will of Azerbaijan's population must be taken into consideration.

Azerbaijan should realistically come to the understanding that it can never bring Nagorno Karabakh back to under it's rule or it's territorial integrity. Caucasian countries should wake up to a new reality of a new republic in the region as the European countries did with Kosovo. And this approach brought peace in the Balkans helping everyone. The recognition of the Independence of Nagorno Karabakh Republic is inevitable.

The basic principles of Nagorno Karabakh resolution released by the White House.

The Basic Principles reflect a reasonable compromise based on the Helsinki Final Act principles of Non-Use of Force, Territorial Integrity, and the Equal Rights and Self-Determination of Peoples.

The Basic Principles among other things call for:

* return of the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijani control

* an interim status for Nagorno-Karabakh providing guarantees for security and self-governance,

* a corridor linking Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh;

* future determination of the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh through a legally binding expression of will;

* the right of all internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their former places of residence; and

* international security guarantees that would include a peacekeeping operation.

The endorsement of these Basic Principles by Armenia and Azerbaijan will allow the drafting of a comprehensive settlement to ensure a future of peace, stability, and prosperity for Armenia and Azerbaijan and the broader region.

Again, these as the basic principles, but the main task of the negotiators and the mediators is to delineate in details the exact nature of the "expression of will" in terms of location and time if the final peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan is to be achieved. Otherwise, this can become another frozen conflict, which the latest Georgian events showed that frozen conflicts do not equal to peace.

Written by Armen Hareyan

[sev]

Source PRESIDENT OF SYRIA REFUSES TO PAY TRIBUTE TO AZERI VICTIMS OF NKR WAR - Politics - Panorama | Armenian news

PRESIDENT OF SYRIA REFUSES TO PAY TRIBUTE TO AZERI VICTIMS OF NKR WAR


The President of Syria Bashar Al-Asad paid two-day official visit to Azerbaijan. It was supposed that, according to the agenda, the President should to be accompanied to the monument to honor the Azeri victims of Nagorno-Karabakh war provoked by Azerbaijan.

President of Syria refused to visit the monument stressing his disposition over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It’s worth reminding that Bashar Al-Asad paid visit to Armenia in June and he has expressed his support to contribute to the resolution of the conflict based on self-determination right principle.

Bashar Al-Asad emphasized at his news conference in Azerbaijan that Syria is in good relations both with Armenia and Azerbaijan, hence they could contribute to the resolution of the conflict.

[sev]

Iran’s readiness to supply nuclear fuel to Armenia is dangerous sign for Azerbaijan
27 July 2009 [15:59] - Today.Az
Political expert Rasim Agayev spoke in an exclusive interview Day.Az.

Day.Az: To what degree Iran’s supply of nuclear fuel dangerous for Azerbaijan?

Rasim Agayev: This is a very dangerous sign for Azerbaijan and the region as a whole, although it was expected. There are clear signs of militarization in the Greater Caucasus. Iran adjoins this geopolitical region with arms race with its program of military development. Armenia’s nuclear pretensions should have been predicted.

It is typical for Armenia and it does not conceal its military ambitions. Hence, such a trend, given the aggressive course of Armenia. Its ambitions and claims include acquiring military capabilities that would put it in a unique position not only with Azerbaijan but also with Turkey, where it could speak the language of force.

Q: How can Iran’s supply of nuclear fuel to Armenia impact situation in the region?

A: If such pretension is realized and Armenia which is linked to Russia with military and strategic commitments, I am afraid that the Caucasus will resemble the south-east Asia, which will be very difficult to calm down and control.

The West turns a blind eye to such pretension by Armenia and it will seriously change the situation. Quite different tasks will be set before Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani diplomacy should exercise serious control over this process, investigate and ring the bell.

I think it is high time to make proposals and policy initiatives related to the demilitarization of the South Caucasus. The issue is not that Armenia will have nuclear weapons, but the fact that saturation of arms in this small region of the globe. The South Caucasus is becoming a powder keg which is easy to blow up.

On the other hand the message could be viewed as a definite signal from Iran to Azerbaijan in connection with the problems emerging in relations between Baku and Tehran.

Q: Does IAEA exercise control over this issue?

A: IAEA should directly control the various nuclear programs of Iran. I believe that we should involve the IAEA in this regard due to the fact that Azerbaijan will build the nuclear power plant, but in Armenia it is already there.

Today.Az - Iran’s readiness to supply nuclear fuel to Armenia is dangerous sign for Azerbaijan: expert

[hyelander]

Joint Letter to President Obama from the Azerbaijani-American and Turkish-American organizations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Tuesday, 04 August 2009 14:17


President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C., 205000
August 4, 2009
Dear President Obama,
Last year's war between Georgia and Russia punctuated the continued threat to peace and security in the South Caucasus arising from unresolved territorial conflicts that have spanned more than two decades since the fall of the Soviet Union. Recently, several Iranian officials openly threatened Azerbaijan for hosting Israeli President Shimon Peres in Baku. Similarly, four UN Security Council resolutions demanding that Armenian forces withdraw and cease the occupation of Azerbaijani lands since 1993 have achieved little for the displaced one million refugees and IDPs. All of this adds to the urgency of reaching a sustainable peace based on the fundamentals o f international law and human rights, or, as you have stated earlier, “a lasting and durable settlement of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict.”
With stronger support from the United States and increasing involvement of the Russian Federation, the peace process has produced some momentum at the latest meetings of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia. U.S. Mediator Matt Bryza emphasized the productive position and leadership demonstrated by Azerbaijan during the negotiations, particularly Azerbaijan's many concessions to Armenia and the Armenian people despite Armenia’s aggression in and military occupation of western Azerbaijan. A peaceful settlement, which involves respect for territorial integrity of the states in the region, repatriation of the displaced communities, opening of all borders and communications, security guarantees for both Azerbaijani and Armenian communities in occupied regions of Azerbaijan, and withdrawal of Armenian forces from Azerbaijan, and nothing less, is necessary to achieve a lasting and durable settlement.
The South Caucasus, a strategic global juncture, holds great promise for regional and global peace and prosperity. Yet the region’s potential has been disrupted and disable by two decades of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia’s own development has been paralyzed as a result of its self-imposed isolation from major regional projects. More than one million Armenians have left Armenia due to poor government, poor economics, and poor services. While the Azerbaijani residents of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and other Armenian-occupied regions of Azerbaijan have suffered ethnic cleansing, displacement, and destruction of personal and cultural property, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh continue to live in economic and political uncertainty. Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijan has been costly in many ways.
A lasting and durable peace settlement would bring about a major positive change to the South Caucasus. The Azerbaijani-Georgian partnership has already shown what can be reached when the parties work towards regional cooperation. Should the Armenian leadership demonstrate productive pragmatism, it can help integrate the nation with the economic and democratic future of the region securing a peace and prosperity for its people. Such a future would include open communications and borders, including the Turkish-Armenian border, which was closed in response to Armenia’s invasion and occupation of the Azerbaijani region of Kelbajar, outside of NK region, in 1993. A lasting and durable peace would advance U.S. interests as it provides for lasting stability in a strategically important region where the United States requires solid friends. Significantly, as the value of the Caspian hydrocarbon resources increase for Europe’s energy security and the South Caucasus transport corridor serves as the key conduit for access to Afghanistan, a lasting and durable peace in this region becomes an even higher priority. In addition, helping Armenia and Azerbaijan to reach a settlement would demonstrate the new Administration’s commitment to the new foreign policy of global engagement and provide a positive tangible result for U.S.-Russian cooperation.
Therefore, on behalf of the Azerbaijani-American and Turkish-American communities, we support and encourage your Good Office to intensify U.S. efforts towards reaching a just peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan based on United Nations Security Council resolutions and the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, and to seize this historic opportunity. While we recognize the significant pressures that bear from special interests opposed to peace for a variety of reasons, including nationalist and religious ones, who have previously succeeded to undermine peace efforts, we hope that America’s vision for the South Caucasus is informed by its national interests and its relationship with strategic partners in the region. Thank you.

Sincerely,

U.S. Azeris Network (USAN)
Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA)
Azerbaijani-American Council (AAC)
Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA)
U.S.-Azerbaijan Council (USAC)
U.S. Turkic Network (USTN)
Cultural Center of Caucasus Jews (CCCJ)
Azerbaijan Turkey America Foundation (ATAF)
Houston Baku Sister City Association (HBSCA)

Cc: The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Vice-President of the United States of America The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton, United States Secretary of State



source: JOINT LETTER TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA | Turkish Forum