AZERI FOREIGN MINISTRY DOUBTS POSSIBILITY OF EXTENDING MORATORIUM ON APPLYING AMERICAN SANCTIONS AGAINST THE COUNTRY

PanARMENIAN.Net - Having soberly viewed the decision of US leadership concerning waiver of sanctions against Azerbaijan, official Baku set about a campaign, aiming at total repeal of Section 907. "Suspension of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act has created conditions for its total abolition," - Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Mahmud Mamed-Kuliyev stated yesterday. He noted that the foreign department was carrying out work in that regard. As it is known, Congress has given the President the authority to freeze the Section for only a year. It means that if the legislators do not pass a decision to extend the moratorium on application of the sanctions, the US Administration will be deprived of the right to render aid to Azerbaijan beginning January 2003. It is hardly possible for the political situation to the end of this year to be as favorable for Azerbaijan as in autumn 2001. Thus, it is hardly to believe in extension of the moratorium. Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry doubts it, too. "It is not known whether it will take place a year later," - Mahmud Mamed-Kuliyev stated.