(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) Having played a crucial role in Azerbaijan's
formation and development, Heydar Aliyev left an indelible mark in
the history of Azerbaijan. "Azerbaijan & Heydar Aliyev" – is a
special project of Trend News Agency, dedicated to the 100th
anniversary of the national leader, which will cover key events of
Heydar Aliyev's work in the years of his leading
Azerbaijan.
November 19, 1999. Heydar Aliyev held a meeting
with US President Bill Clinton. As stated by Bill Clinton at the
meeting, the signing of documents for the main export pipeline Baku
- Ceyhan is a significant historical event.
"Signed in 1994 thanks to your visionary and consistent policy
as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the 'Contract of
the Century' laid the foundation for opening the energy resources
of the Caspian Sea to the whole world. I highly appreciate your
tremendous contributions to the implementation of the Baku-Ceyhan
pipeline," Clinton said.
"I also highly appreciate the document on the construction of
the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline. I am confident that these pipelines
will play an important role in further strengthening the
sovereignty and independence of the countries in the region and
will make a significant contribution to their economic progress. I
am pleased with your efforts in the accelerated development of
Azerbaijani-American cooperation. I also always highly value the
personal friendly relations that have developed between us," he
noted.
Heydar Aliyev expressed satisfaction with the principled
position of the US government in the implementation of the main
export pipeline Baku - Ceyhan and the Trans-Caspian gas
pipeline.
Moreover, the national leader particularly emphasized that the
907th amendment adopted by the U.S. Congress in 1992 hinders the
accelerated development of this cooperation, and it is necessary to
eliminate this amendment.
"I am confident that the bilateral Azerbaijani-American
relations, based on the strong friendship and cooperation
established in recent years with you, Mr. President, will always be
successful, serve the interests of our peoples, contribute to their
prosperity, the economic revival of our countries, and create good
opportunities for strengthening peace, stability, and tranquility
in the entire Caucasus region," Heydar Aliyev pointed out.
"Today's discussion of issues related to the strengthening of
mutually beneficial ties between Azerbaijan and America, both in
the energy sector and in other industries, further solidifying
economic relations, will undoubtedly yield significant results," he
mentioned.
"Our conversation in the implementation of the provisions put
forward in the historical documents of the OSCE Istanbul Summit, as
well as a comprehensive exchange of views on the situation on the
international stage, in the Caucasus, the prospects for cooperation
in the region, and on a number of other issues, holds special
importance," Heydar Aliyev added.
The recent decision of the US Senate has once again actualized
the issue of Amendment 907, which the national leader spoke about
back in 1999.
Thus, the senators voted for adoption of Act S.3000, suggesting
that the US president is unable to reference Public Law
107-115.
This law previously enabled the president to sidestep the 907th
amendment to the 'Freedom Support Act,' which, in effect, restricts
aid to Azerbaijan.
As a result, the US president is now unable to bypass the 907th
amendment and obtain funding from the budget allocations for aiding
Azerbaijan in 2024 and 2025.
The US seems to again repeat the mistake made in 1992 with
applying sanctions against Azerbaijan, despite that the country was
subjected to aggression and occupation.
After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, when
Azerbaijan supported the US efforts in the fight against terrorism,
in the same year, the US decided to temporarily suspend the
implementation of the 907th amendment. Azerbaijan extended a
helping hand to the US, opening its airspace and offering
logistical support, including the Northern Distribution
Network.
Azerbaijan became one of the first countries to stand shoulder
to shoulder with the US in Afghanistan. At the same time,
Azerbaijan was the last partner country to leave Afghanistan.
However, it appears that the US always considered Azerbaijan's
support temporary. Nevertheless, history may repeat itself.
The seemingly indifferent attitude of the US regarding the
temporary suspension of the 907th amendment is an unfriendly step
towards Azerbaijan.
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