Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Voice of America either work against US allies or directly support nation’s enemies – Roll Call

Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 6

By Anakhanum Hidayatova- Trend:

As the national debt continues to spiral, now at more than $17 trillion, Congress should be commended for investigating wastes of tax payer money such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America, either working against US allies or directly supporting the nation's enemies, Gabriel Da Costa, an Argentinian born journalist, said in the article published in the famous US publication Roll Call.

"Perhaps the next target for Congress' cross hairs should be the US Commission on International Religious Freedom," said the author.

The author doesn't understand why Azerbaijan is not a very good place for Hare Krishnas and Muslims.

"It is important to note intra-Muslim tolerance and partnership is ubiquitous and Jewish-Muslim relations are strong and absent of anti-Semitism," the author said. "Azerbaijan is a Muslim-majority nation. In fact, Azerbaijan has sizable Christian communities and a large, prominent and many centuries old Jewish population. Members of these faith communities also serve in high offices throughout the various levels of government in Azerbaijan."

"So why does this US government focus on such perceived religious ills in Azerbaijan?" the article said.

"According to USCIRF, Azerbaijan banned the wearing of the hijab," the author said. "Indeed, they did - as part and parcel of the implementation of school uniforms. And, according to USCIRF, Azerbaijan closed mosques. Again, yes they did. Did USCIRF utilize what is sure to be a hefty budget of US taxpayer dollars to check to see what mosques were closed? Did USCIRF investigate why the mosques were closed? Could these mosques have been funded by Iran and run by Iranian-paid clerics? In actuality, the answer is yes - enough said on that," the article said.

"Perhaps, Congress would do well to provide some oversight to what the commissions it funds are doing?" said the article. "We all work hard to pay our taxes. Is it too much to ask Congress to ensure that money spent effectively and efficiently?"

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