Azerbaijan spending millions on lobbying in US
Azerbaijan spent at least $3.7 million on lobbying
activities in the United States from 1997-2007, Radio Liberty
reported citing US Department of Justice data.
Lobbying groups registered to operate in the US signed 37 agreements with Azerbaijan over 10 years, but only 25 of them detailed the amount spent by the government.
Further, information reveals that the Azerbaijani government spent more on lobbying efforts in 1998-99, 2003-04 and 2006-07 than in other years. The firms that were paid the funds worked to assure American political circles, Congress and the public that Azerbaijan is pursuing sustainable reforms, advancing along the path of democratic development and conducting transparent elections. Funds were also allocated to publish news stories in American media and host meetings with media representatives in an effort to create a positive image about Azerbaijan.
In 1997-98, Azerbaijan was represented abroad not only by companies but also by large businesses. For example, from 1997 to 1999 the government took advantage of the efforts made by Nizami Piriyev, a businessman operating in neighboring Russia. The amount of assistance provided to Piriyev was not disclosed.
Piriyev had been president of the US oil and gas firm PNN Arkansas from 1992-2002. From 2003, he headed Russia`s StroyTransGasOil Progress energy company. Since October 2007 he has been leading the Azerbaijan delegation of the European Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Hefty funds have also been allocated to US institutions from 1997-2007 to arrange visits by the Azerbaijani president and foreign minister to the US, including meetings with American politicians.
Furthermore, in 2007 alone, Azerbaijan spent over $1 million on lobbyists JWI and Livingston Group. This includes $168,000 spent on JWI by the International Bank of Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani government also spent money on lobbying efforts to minimize or eliminate Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, which restricts US assistance to authorities, as well as to lobby for Baku`s interests in other legislation.
Lobbying groups registered to operate in the US signed 37 agreements with Azerbaijan over 10 years, but only 25 of them detailed the amount spent by the government.
Further, information reveals that the Azerbaijani government spent more on lobbying efforts in 1998-99, 2003-04 and 2006-07 than in other years. The firms that were paid the funds worked to assure American political circles, Congress and the public that Azerbaijan is pursuing sustainable reforms, advancing along the path of democratic development and conducting transparent elections. Funds were also allocated to publish news stories in American media and host meetings with media representatives in an effort to create a positive image about Azerbaijan.
In 1997-98, Azerbaijan was represented abroad not only by companies but also by large businesses. For example, from 1997 to 1999 the government took advantage of the efforts made by Nizami Piriyev, a businessman operating in neighboring Russia. The amount of assistance provided to Piriyev was not disclosed.
Piriyev had been president of the US oil and gas firm PNN Arkansas from 1992-2002. From 2003, he headed Russia`s StroyTransGasOil Progress energy company. Since October 2007 he has been leading the Azerbaijan delegation of the European Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Hefty funds have also been allocated to US institutions from 1997-2007 to arrange visits by the Azerbaijani president and foreign minister to the US, including meetings with American politicians.
Furthermore, in 2007 alone, Azerbaijan spent over $1 million on lobbyists JWI and Livingston Group. This includes $168,000 spent on JWI by the International Bank of Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani government also spent money on lobbying efforts to minimize or eliminate Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, which restricts US assistance to authorities, as well as to lobby for Baku`s interests in other legislation.
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
Subscribe
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!