Biden Allows Military Assistance to Azerbaijan, Armenian Community Condemns Decision

U.S. President Joe Biden has informed Congress that his administration is extending the suspension of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, thereby allowing direct military aid to Azerbaijan from the U.S., as long as the Secretary of State certifies that such assistance does not contribute to the escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, reports Holm.

According to the publication, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured Congress in a notification sent on April 26 that this assistance to Azerbaijan would not "undermine or impede the ongoing efforts of peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan or be used for offensive purposes against Armenia." Blinken also confirmed that providing American aid is "necessary for the U.S. efforts against international terrorism, to support the operational readiness of the U.S. Armed Forces or coalition partners in fighting international terrorism, as well as being crucial for the security of Azerbaijan's borders."

The publication notes that the Armenian community has condemned Biden's administration for this decision, labeling it a betrayal and citing the words of Aram Hamparian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA): "The recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the U.S. entails responsibility, including not arming or supporting Azerbaijan. Any action by President Biden that lights the green light for the provision of American assistance to the Aliyev regime contradicts his clear position during the campaign and, worse, the spirit of his recent recognition of the Armenian Genocide,” said Hamparian.

As a presidential candidate from the Democratic Party, Biden criticized Azerbaijan at the onset of hostilities with Armenia, stating that Baku had provoked the military operations and called on then-President Trump to block military aid to Azerbaijan, specifically not to waive the requirements of the Freedom Support Act, the publication reminds.

Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act was adopted by the U.S. Congress in 1992 due to Azerbaijan's blockade of Armenia and provides for humanitarian assistance only to Azerbaijan. According to this provision, the U.S. government is prohibited from providing assistance to official Azerbaijani entities until that country takes "clear steps to eliminate all forms of blockade and the use of force against the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh." However, in 2002, Congress amended Section 907 to allow the president to suspend the act and provide military support to Azerbaijan, which every U.S. president has done annually since then.