Libby discussed Section 907, a piece of legislation enacted 30 years ago, noting his absence from his current role at that time and his inability to modify the law. He mentioned the annual consideration of whether to waive Section 907 to facilitate security assistance, indicating that the matter is still under review.
The Ambassador emphasized that Section 907 does not encapsulate the entirety of the US-Azerbaijan relationship. He questioned the overwhelming focus on this section, pointing out that it represents only a small facet of the broader spectrum of bilateral relations, which includes cultural, economic, and to some degree, security cooperation.
Libby suggested that Azerbaijan might not require military support from the US, stating, “Section 907 limits a number of military support types. I do not know whether Azerbaijan needs the military assistance of the US or not, probably not.” He stressed the importance of carefully considering this issue within the context of their priorities, noting that no decisions have been made for this year. However, he affirmed ongoing work with Azerbaijan beyond this issue, reiterating support for the territorial integrity of both Azerbaijan and Armenia as a fundamental principle of US policy.
