Eligibility of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan to Receive Defense Articles and Services under the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act

President Bush determined that providing defense articles and services to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan would strengthen U.S. security and promote world peace, authorizing the Secretary of State to report this to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register. This determination lifted prior restrictions on military assistance to these three post-Soviet states.

Federal Register Open PDF 67 FR 20429

Impact dates

Apr 24, 2002
Federal Register filing completed

Key directives

Find that furnishing defense articles and services to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan strengthens U.S. security and promotes world peace
Authorize and direct Secretary of State to report determination to Congress
Authorize and direct Secretary of State to arrange for Federal Register publication

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Determination effective upon signing April 18, 2002
Secretary of State authorized to report to Congress and arrange Federal Register publication

Near term (90d)

Federal Register publication completed (filed April 24, 2002)

Long term

Ongoing eligibility for defense articles and services under FAA and AECA
Potential shift in regional security dynamics in South Caucasus and Central Asia

Risks & tensions

Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh creates tension in simultaneously arming both sides
Tajikistan's fragile post-civil war governance raises proliferation risks
Regional balance implications with Russia, Iran, and Turkey
Congressional notification requirement suggests potential legislative pushback avenue