AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MINISTER OF EMERGENCY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 001327 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USTDA DAN STEIN DEPT FOR EB, EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2016 TAGS: ECON EAGR KFLU PGOV PREL TBIO PINR AJ SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MINISTER OF EMERGENCY SERVICES KAMALADDIN HEYDAROV Classified By: AMB ANNE E. DERSE; REASONS 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (C) Summary: During the Ambassador's August 28 courtesy call on Minister of Emergency Situations Kammaladdin Heydarov, Heydarov explained the difficulty of coordinating the various formerly independent agencies that were brought together to form the MES eight months ago. He requested help with urban planning and establishing zoning laws. The Ambassador noted USG experience in bringing together different agencies to establish the Department of Homeland Security, and offered to look into the possibility of dialogue on zoning laws and urban planning. The shift from requests for funding for basic economic development to requests for expertise and technical assistance (secondary concerns) could be an encouraging sign of Azerbaijan's economic development. Separately, Heydarov said that the GOAJ will change the structure of Azerbaijan's Avian Flu Commission, and said he would consider the Ambassador's suggestion to make public information a priority. End Summary. Introduction to the Ministry -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on the powerful Minister of Emergency Situations (MES),Kamaladdin Heydarov, on August 28. Heydarov told the Ambassador that the new Ministry was created on December 16, 2005, and he was appointed in February 2006. The MES brings together several agencies that were previously independent to deal with disasters. Heydarov said he is trying to improve the level of professionalism and coordination among the agencies that deal with a wide array of issues like civil defense, construction control and materials, radioactive materials, Caspian Sea rescue, fire control, and security services. Since his appointment, Heydarov said, he has been identifying problems that previously fell through the cracks and establishing the structures to deal with them. He has been looking at examples from other countries, including the U.S., Heydarov said. The Ambassador thanked Heydarov for the overview and noted the USG experience in bringing together several different agencies to create the Department of Homeland Security after September 11. Areas of Cooperation -------------- ¶3. (U) The Ambassador noted that President Aliyev,s historic visit to Washington and meeting with President Bush in the spring had laid the foundation to deepen and strengthen the bilateral relationship. She reviewed the three primary areas for cooperation: the global war on terror and regional and global security and stability, global energy security, and addressing democracy and freedom through political and economic reform. After outlining the broad areas for cooperation, the Ambassador noted her interest in developing people-to-people relationships and stronger commercial ties between the two countries. ¶4. (SBU) Heydarov agreed with the Ambassador on the importance of deepening cooperation and commercial diplomacy. When he began his previous job as Chairman of the Customs Committee, Heydarov said, there had been five Chairmen in three years. In his 11 years as Chairman, he said Customs revenues from bilateral trade rose from USD 3 million to 504 million new Azerbaijani manat (USD 567 million). Heydarov asserted that he had also worked to increase transparency and cited fewer major complaints about customs problems from Turkish and American companies s an example of his success. Eliminating economi problems and laying the foundation for economic development will allow for democratic development in the future, Heydarov added. ¶5. (SBU) The Ambassador noted that due to its oil revenues, Azerbaijan has many economic opportunities now, and said she hoped to work with the GOAJ on economic reforms and strengthening bilateral commercial ties. Heydarov said that Azerbaijan's legislation is good and helps protect foreign investment, but identified the Soviet mentality and bureaucratic system as problematic holdovers. Heydarov added that President Aliyev had made it clear that he wanted to eliminate barriers to trade or commercial relations. Now that he is in charge of construction permits and zoning, Heydarov noted, at times foreign and local companies identify him as an impediment to business. He explained that his priorities are now good security and zoning regulations, which put him at odds with businessmen who want to profit BAKU 00001327 002 OF 002 from constructing big buildings as quickly as possible without taking city or emergency planning into account. Heydarov asked for information and dialogue on urban planning, construction legislation and zoning rules. The Ambassador agreed, noting the need for urban planning, and suggesting a meeting with a prestigious U.S. urban planner whose visit to Baku the Embassy is coordinating. Avian Influenza -------------- ¶6. (C) On avian influenza, the Ambassador described her experience leading a U.S. delegation of experts to Azerbaijan in January 2005 and working with the White House to develop an emergency plan for pandemic influenza. She highlighted the need to educate people on how to protect themselves in order to prevent the spread of the disease to humans. The Ambassador asked for an update on the inter-Ministerial Avian Flu Commission's work and its vacant leadership position. (Note: Former Deputy Prime Minister Abbasov, who did a poor job leading the commission, resigned in April 2006 and has not been replaced. End Note.) Heydarov acknowledged that he did not know who is leading the Commission, but said it should be the responsibility of the MES. The GOAJ will change the structure of the Commission, he added, and he would consider the Ambassador's suggestion to make public information and education about avian influenza a priority. Heydarov thanked the Ambassador for the personal protective equipment the Embassy provided to the GOAJ. NATO involvement -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Heydarov said that he has met with NATO representatives and is expecting future meetings in Brussels to discuss cooperation. The Ambassador noted she was leaving August 29 for NATO-related meetings as well. She asked Heydarov to identify the points of contact for cooperation with the MES. Heydarov identified: Lieutenant General Rafael Mirzayev for military-related matters, Jabrail Khanlarov for emergency management issues (including zoning),and Faik Tagizade on avian influenza matters. Comment -------------- ¶8. (C) Comment: Heydarov's request for assistance with zoning and urban planning is encouraging. Taking advantage of its expected oil wealth, the GOAJ has the opportunity to take a larger role in addressing both basic developmental concerns and other pressing issues like environmental cleanup and city and emergency planning. Embassy has offered to facilitate meetings for MES with visiting urban planning experts working with the World Bank and from the Baltimore Re-development Corporation. DERSE