REMOVING TRADE RESTRICTIONS ON AZERBAIJAN

WEXLER-SHUSTER INTRODUCE LEGISLATION REMOVING TRADE RESTRICTIONS ON AZERBAIJAN

[Ergun Kirlikovali’s note: The press release below is self explanatory. The better Turkish, Azerbaijani and other Turkic countries, are known at the Capitol Hill, and indeed, around the country, the better Turkic peoples are appreciated and more favorable legislations are eventually proposed.

After our recent victories in Sacramento over the shameless hate bills and resolutions introduced by—who else—Armenian Falsifiers and their fellow Turk-haters, this new bill in the Congress certainly points to increasing political clout the Turkish and Turkic-American are enjoying.

What all this means is that we are on the right track in educating public on the truth and realities and we should continue the task with renewed vigor, not an easy task given the vicious defamation campaigns incessantly waged by some fanatic anti-Turkish groups and their ignorant but equally biased cohorts.

Let’s take a minute to enjoy the fruits of all of our thankless work. Kudos, all around, to all those hard-working Turkish and Turkic-Americans! ]

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June 4, 2009

Contact: Ashley Mushnick: 202-225-3001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEXLER-SHUSTER INTRODUCE LEGISLATION REPEALING JACKSON-VANIK TRADE RESTRICTIONS ON AZERBAIJAN

(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Co-Chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, introduced legislation that would repeal Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions on Azerbaijan. Passage of the legislation would lead to normal trade relations with Azerbaijan, which fell under the restriction of Jackson-Vanik as a post Soviet succesor state. Wexler and Shuster believe that Azerbaijan, which is a strategic security and energy partner of the United States, has long met its obligations to comply with freedom of emigration requirements and that Congress should remove Jackson-Vanik requirements for Azerbaijan.

According to the 1974 Trade Act of the United States, the Jackson-Vanik amendment denied most favored nation to certain countries with non-market economies that restricted emigration rights.

“I strongly support repealing Jackson-Vanik for Azerbaijan, one of America’s most important strategic allies in the Caucasus region, which has met all obligations to comply with freedom of emigration requirements and continues to ensure that these commitments are fulfilled,” Congressman Wexler said. “Passage of this legislation would send a strong signal to Azerbaijan about American intention to enhance relations and cooperation in a number of key areas, including energy security, counter-terrorism cooperation and trade.”

“As the Co-Chair of the House Caucus on Azerbaijan, I look forward to working with Chairman Wexler to improve our strategic relationship with Azerbaijan,” Shuster said. “Azerbaijan is an indispensable ally in the fight against terrorism. Additionally, Azerbaijan is bordered by Russia to the north and Iran to the south, which makes it an essential strategic ally. Azerbaijan also has one of the fastest growing economies in the world and will continue to play an important role as a trade partner in the Caucuses. This legislation is critical to allowing our relationship to prosper and grow.”

(EK: The legislation is reproduced for readers’ convenience below.)

Congressman Wexler is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Recently, Wexler served as an advisor on Middle East issues to President Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign.

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111TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. R. ___

To authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Azerbaijan.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. WEXLER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on _____

A BILL

To authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Azerbaijan.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. TERMINATION OF APPLICATION OF TITLE IV OF THE TRADE ACT OF 1974 TO THE PRODUCTS OF AZERBAIJAN.

(a) PRESIDENTIAL DETERMINATIONS AND EXTENSION OF NONDISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT.—Notwithstanding any provision of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2431 et seq.), the President may—

(1) determine that the denial of nondiscriminatory treatment should no longer apply to the products of Azerbaijan; and

(2) after making a determination under paragraph (1) with respect to Azerbaijan, proclaim the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Azerbaijan.

(b) TERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY OF TITLE IV.—On and after the date on which the President extends nondiscriminatory treatment to the products of Azerbaijan pursuant to subsection (a), title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 shall cease to apply to Azerbaijan.
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June 2, 2009 (11:14 a.m.)