Foreign

Home page

Foreign

Former US Senator Conrad Ray Burns: â€œCongress has continually aggravated our relationship with Azerbaijanâ€

24 August 2010 08:09 (UTC +04:00)

Burns wrote an open editorial published by The Examiner on August 23 in Washington where he expressed his believes and called on his former colleagues to make the right decision.

He reminded that the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is on right now, and as such, Ramadan is a good time for me to remind my former colleges in the Senate of their dutyâ€.

He gives an overview to the recent US policy events, including last yearâ€™s speech made by President Obama in Egypt.

Then he explained why he totally supports Bryza.

â€œBefore adjourning for August, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee postponed a vote to confirm Obamaâ€™s nominee, Matthew Bryza, to be the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan. It appears this opposition is based upon senators responding to special interest groups whose sole purpose is to oppose all things related to Azerbaijanâ€ â€“ he said.

He says that Azerbaijan is a very important partner for the US, and as mostly Muslim country, it was one of the first to support US after the 9/11 attack and sent troops to Iraq.

â€œCongress has continually aggravated our relationship with Azerbaijan despite White House objections. Short-sighted, biased squabbles in Congress continue to try and take us backward, while the Department of State and the Country of Azerbaijan continue to look forward to the futureâ€ â€“ he said.

He said he totally believes that Bryza clearly has the experience and fortitude to help strengthen US relationship with Azerbaijan. â€œI believe each member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee knows he is truly the right man for the jobâ€ â€“ he added.

In conclusion he stressed that â€œSenators should not pander to special interest groups looking backward rather than to the future. Letâ€™s set aside our differences, look at our commonalities and step forward with strong leaders like Mr. Bryza to work toward a common good for the United States, Azerbaijan and throughout the Caspian regionâ€.