User:Jbd8988/sandbox

== Azerbaijan America Alliance  == The Azerbaijan America Alliance is a non-partisan, non-profit organization providing information broadly about the people, culture, society, industry, history and current events of the Azeri people. The purpose includes research and advocacy on issues of interest to the Alliance.

===Mission === The mission of the Alliance is to foster an atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect between the people of Azerbaijan and America. Through academic discussion, cultural programming, and political discourse, the Alliance aims to become the premier organization dedicated to promoting a lasting partnership between Azerbaijan and The United States.

==Involvement == The Azerbaijan America Alliance hopes to reach out and educate congressional representatives on the growing significance of Azerbaijan’s relationship with the United States – politically, economically and militarily.

Through such a program of education, the Alliance hopes to bring renewed focus on the South Caucasus region and, in particular, the important role that Azerbaijan plays in the War on Terror - providing troops and allowing free movement of American troops through their territory - and as a market for American businesses.

Political Goals
•	Expand the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus

•	Educate Congress on the geopolitical significance of the relationship between Azerbaijan and the United States

•	Repeal Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act

•	Encourage politicians to help mediate an amicable settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict

==Azeri Diaspora in the U.S. == The Alliance recognizes and respects the important work that existing diaspora groups have done over past decades, building a core community through a variety of grassroots events. The Alliance is dedicated to the diaspora and looks forward to making their contribution to the community. The Alliance hopes that, working alongside existing groups, they can expand and improve the Diasporas grassroots efforts - building a truly national community to support the Alliance's political initiatives. ==Key Issues ==

===Section 907 === In 1992 Congress passed the Freedom Support Act, which was designed to assist former Soviet republics in their transition to democracy. The only republic excluded from this aid package was Azerbaijan, which was singled out in Section 907 of the Act.

Section 907 bars direct American aid to the Government of Azerbaijan unless the President of the United States certifies to Congress that Azerbaijan is “taking demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.”

The Alliance believes this provision is both unfair and illogical.

====Position of the Alliance ==== Alongside the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, the Alliance is dedicated to educating members of Congress about Section 907 and working towards expanding the number of Members who support its repeal.

===Nagorno Karabakh Conflict === Beyond the ongoing humanitarian crisis, the prospect of renewed military conflict over Nagorno Karabakh poses a very real threat to regional security, the global energy market and the political stability of the South Caucasus. Consequently, the time has come for renewed international efforts at finding a diplomatic solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that is peaceful, just and honorable for all parties.

====Position of the Alliance ==== The Alliance supports UN General Assembly Resolution 62/243, adopted on March 14, 2008, which reaffirmed the "continued respect and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Azerbaijan "within its internationally recognized borders.”

At the same time, the Alliance understands that this conflict can only be solved by the elected leaders on all sides. Accordingly, they are working tirelessly to educate elected officials in the United States and Europe on the urgent need to mediate a resolution to the conflict. With their help, the Alliance hopes to end the bloodshed which has engulfed Nagorno Karabakh for decades, to help refugees – both Armenian and Azeri – to rebuild their lives, and to foster stability and economic development for the entire region.

==Areas of Focus == ===Grassroots & NGOs === While the Alliance also works alongside political leaders and business executives, at heart it remains a grassroots organization – committed to serving and relying heavily on the Azeri-American community for its success. The Alliance hopes that through their efforts they can bring together Azeris from across the world and ensure that their voices are heard.

===Academia & Think Tanks === The Alliance is engaging influential members of the academic community in order to highlight the growing importance of the Caucasus region in 21st century geopolitical conflicts. In this way, they hope to expand the number of centers which cover Azerbaijan and the Caucasus region.

In addition, the Alliance will work with them to expand the number of fellowships, internships and exchanges available to students and academics who wish to study the region. This should lead to a greater flow of ideas and information between the two countries and ensure that a more balanced debate occurs in the public arena.

===Business & Economy === In the coming months and years, the Alliance will be working to strengthen Azeri-American business ties through the development of formal relationships between businesses in each country, as well as working with existing multinationals to expand their footprint in Azerbaijan.

The Alliance has also begun to engage with institutional investors and executives who are less familiar with Azerbaijan in order to highlight available opportunities in the thriving Azerbaijani economy. In doing so, they hope to both expand and diversify Azerbaijan’s share of foreign direct investment which comes from the United States.

===Politics & Decision Makers === The Azeri diaspora has a number of allies on Capitol Hill in the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, whose members will play a crucial role in helping the Alliance achieve our stated goals. Congressmen Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Dan Boren (D-OK) serve as the co-Chairs of the Caucus and are exceptionally supportive of the Azerbaijani community in America.

The Alliance will work with Congressmen Shuster and Boren to expand the Caucus’s membership and promote a greater degree of engagement from existing members. In particular, the Alliance hopes to make progress towards repealing Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, which serves as a constant affront to a nation which has proved itself a loyal and valuable ally of the United States in the War on Terror.

===Energy & Regional Security === As the core component of its economy and one of its strongest links to the United States and Europe, Azerbaijan’s energy sector plays an integral role to its international relations. The Alliance has begun to develop relationships with industry leaders in each area to ensure that Azerbaijan’s relations with each continue to flourish.

Additionally, the Alliance hopes to emphasize the critical role that Azerbaijan plays as a stable, pro-Western democracy in a hostile region. Furthermore, its material and rhetorical backing for the War on Terror is deserving of greater recognition and support from its allies in NATO – not least the United States.

===International === While primarily focused on US-Azerbaijani relations, the Alliance supports the development of closer ties between the EU and Azerbaijan. In the coming months, they will be working with likeminded diaspora groups in Europe to find areas of cooperation which can advance their shared ambitions.