Joseph M. Souki, the speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives apologized to Azerbaijan for the resolution adopted by the House, Azerbaijan’s Consulate General in Los Angeles told on Apr.1.
The speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives signed a memorandum expressing regret over the resolution (H.R. 167) adopted March 29 on the unrecognized regime created in Azerbaijan’s occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region and apologized to the Azerbaijani government and people.
In the memorandum, which was sent to Azerbaijan’s Consulate General in Los Angeles, Souki notes that whereas every resolution involving foreign affairs should be sent to a committee to receive public input, the said resolution didn’t have a chance to be vetted by the Committee process before action was taken on it.
The memorandum states that the resolution at issue, however, was presented as a floor presentation, a purely ceremonial meant to congratulate individuals and organizations, such as award winning teachers, health care workers, charitable organizations, etc. Because of the ceremonial nature of a floor presentation, the introduction of a supporting resolution is handled much more informally.
Therefore, the speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives said he apologizes for the fact that the resolution did not have a chance to be vetted by a relevant committee before action was taken on it, noting that he intends to adjust their internal policies to prevent a similar occurrence.
Joseph Souk also stressed that this resolution has no legal force.
The speaker said he can speak on behalf of the members of the House that each member hopes that strong relations of friendship between Azerbaijan and the US will continue to grow and strengthen over the years.
“I hope that you can understand the unfortunate circumstances that led us to this point and I sincerely apologize for any unintended offense to your government or the people of Azerbaijan,” Joseph Souk concluded.
