Azerbaijan Military
V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G
Burma is a source country for women and men trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation. Burmese men, women, and children (primarily from the country’s ethnic minority populations) are trafficked to Thailand, China, Bangladesh, Taiwan, India, Malaysia, Korea, Macau, and Japan for forced labor — including commercial labor — involuntary domestic servitude, and sexual exploitation. To a lesser extent, Burma is a destination for women from the People’s Republic of China (P.R.C.) who are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation. Internal trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation occurs from villages to urban centers and other areas, such as truck stops, fishing villages, border towns, and mining and military camps. The junta's policy of using forced labor is a driving factor behind Burma’s large trafficking problem. The Government of B ... [Read More]
Azerbaijan
After years of interethnic conflict between Armenians and Azerbaijanis, Armenian forces and forces of the self-styled "Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh" (which is not recognized by any government) continue to occupy 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory. A cease-fire was concluded in 1994, and the peace process continues. Beginning in 1999, the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia held a series of direct meetings to discuss a compromise resolution. These meetings have yet to yield concrete results. Exchanges of fire occurred sporadically along the Azerbaijan-Armenian border and along the line of contact with Nagorno-Karabakh, causing numerous casualties. Military operations of 1989-94 continue to affect the civilian population to this day. There were four civilian and four military casualties during the year caused by landmines. In 1999 three persons were killed and five were wounded by landmines. These landmines were laid near the disputed area by the governments of Azerbaijan and Armenia ... [Read More]
Azerbaijan
During the year, a total of eight prisoners of war (POW'S)--seven Azerbaijanis (two military official and five civilians) and one Armenian (military official)--were released. At least four others (three Azerbaijani military officials and one Armenian military official) were repatriated during direct exchanges by both sides. ... The Constitution provides for these rights; however, at times, the Government limited the freedom of movement. A passport is required for travel abroad, and the internal residence regime from the Soviet system ("propiska") still is imposed on displaced persons, who are required to register their location with the authorities and may reside only in approved locations. Residents of border areas in both Azerbaijan and Iran travel across the border without visas. Members of opposition parties were harassed and denied the right to travel within the country for political purposes (see Section 3). Draft-age men must obtain documents from military officials before they can leave for international travel, and some restrictions are placed on military personnel with access to national security information. ... [Read More]
U.S. Assistance to Azerbaijan – Fiscal Year 2004
Azerbaijan acceded to the multinational Science and Technology Center in Ukraine in 2003, enabling former Azerbaijani weapons scientists to apply for U.S. grant funding to assist in their transition to non-military employment. FY 2004 funding is available for Azerbaijani research grants that encourage regional cooperation between the Azerbaijan National Science Foundation and sister organizations in Armenia and Georgia. Foreign Military Financing will finance equipment and training. The International Military Education and Training program sustains interoperability through English language training, enabling Azerbaijan participation in international security, and peacekeeping missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. ... [Read More]
Press Releases
1111--12/06/02 Assistant Secretary Lincoln Bloomfield Hosts Political-Military Talks with Argentine Delegation ... 1111--11/18/02 Meeting of U.S.–Israel Joint Political Military Group ... 1111--03/18/05 U.S. Department of State Contractors Receive Joint Military Commission Medals for Landmine Clearance in South Sudan ... [Read More]
Azerbaijan
Residents of border areas in both Azerbaijan and Iran traveled across the border without visas. Draft-age men had to obtain documents from military officials before they could travel abroad, and some restrictions were placed on military personnel with access to national security information. ... In September 2001, the Baku city prosecutor's office opened a criminal case against Suleyman Agayev, former chief of the 17th police office of Baku's Narimanov District, in connection with the 1994 killing of Djamal Aliyev, leader of the Industrial Union. During the year, Agayev was arrested, tried, and convicted. An investigation into the killing of a senior Chechen military commander by unknown assailants in May 2001 remained open at year's end. ... [Read More]
U.S. Assistance to Azerbaijan – Fiscal Year 2002
For FY 2002, the U.S. increased security-related assistance programs to enhance Azerbaijan’s export control and border security systems, particularly maritime border security; promote military reform with training at U.S. institutions; and facilitate Azerbaijan’s Partnership for Peace participation. ... Security programs include professional and technical training of Azeri military personnel at U.S. institutions, initially focused on English language training, enhanced airspace management, and enhanced interoperability with the U.S., NATO, and other international organizations. The State Department is providing an additional $3 million from Emergency Response Funds to enhance border security and help counter terrorism under the Export Control and Related Border Security assistance program, including support for provision of a patrol boat for the maritime border guards and radio equipment for land border guards. ... [Read More]
Azerbaijan (10/04)
DEFENSE AND MILITARY ISSUES ... In July 1992, Azerbaijan ratified the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), which establishes comprehensive limits on key categories of conventional military equipment and provides for the destruction of weaponry in excess of those limits. Although Azerbaijan did not provide all data required by the treaty on its conventional forces at that time, it has accepted on-site inspections of forces on its territory. Azerbaijan approved the CFE flank agreement in May 1997. It also has acceded to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear weapons state. Azerbaijan participates in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Partnership for Peace. ... [Read More]
Azerbaijan
During the year, a total of three POWs were released, one from Azerbaijan and two from Armenia.The law prohibits forced exile, and the Government did not employ it. e. Denial of a Fair and Public Trial The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary; however, in practice, judges did not function independently of the executive branch, and the judiciary was widely believed to be corrupt and inefficient. Judges preside over and direct trials. The President appoints Supreme and Constitutional Court judges, whom Parliament confirms. The President appoints lower-level judges without confirmation. Qualifying exams for judges were administered periodically as part of a judicial reform effort; however, credible allegations persisted that judgeships were bought and sold. Low salaries for judges and lawyers increased the incentives for bribe taking and ... [Read More]
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