AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON CENTRAL ELECTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 001496 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM PBTS AJ SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION CHAIRMAN MAZAHIR PANAHOV Classified By: AMBASSADOR ANNE E. DERSE PER 1.4(B,D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In her October 4 introductory call on Central Election Commission (CEC) Chairman Mazahir Panahov, the Ambassador highlighted the interlinked priorities in the bilateral relationship: cooperation in regional and global stability and security; energy security; and strengthening democracy through political and economic reform. She outlined the building blocks of a strong democracy: rule of law; a strong political process; a free and independent media; an engaged citizenry; and respect for human rights. Chairman Panahov briefed the Ambassador on the CEC's preparations for Azerbaijan's October 6 partial Municipal Elections, and shared his opinion that the international community places too much emphasis on specifics like finger-inking, and not enough on the integrity of the overall process of democracy. Panahov said that the Municipal Councils' role is gradually strengthening. Mentioning Azerbaijan's security situation, he said that eventual NATO membership would be the "only way" for Azerbaijan to emain secure. Panahov said that the conflict in Ngorno-Karabakh and the occupied territories is te biggest impediment to Azerbaijan's democratic reform. He also cautioned that a growing view in Azerbaijan that the West's position on Armenia and the N-K conflict reflects a double standard toward this Muslim country could undercut support for Azerbaijan's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. END SUMMARY. BILATERAL PRIORITIES -------------- ¶2. (C) During her October 4 introductory call on Chairman of the Central Election Commission Mazahir Panahov, the Ambassador outlined the priorities in the U.S.-Azerbaijani bilateral relationship: cooperation in the Global War on Terror and ensuring regional and global security and stability, global energy security, and advancing democracy through political and economic reform. She noted that while in recent years, observers have been focused on Azerbaijan's elections, all five building blocks of democracy are important in democratic reform: rule of law and a strong judicial and legal system; a viable political process, including elections, political parties, and Parliament; a free and independent media; an engaged, empowered, educated citizenry; and respect for human rights. The Ambassador also underscored the importance of economic freedom and development in establishing an environment that will foster democratic development. MUNICIPAL COUNCILS VS. THE EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONS -------------- --- ¶3. (C) Chairman Panahov said that although elections are important in every country, they are particularly important in Azerbaijan. He shared his opinion that Azerbaijanis are gradually beginning to understand the importance of Municipal Councils. According to Panahov, most of the population prefers the elected Municipal Councils to the bureaucratically-appointed Executive Commissions (ExComms), and in some cities there is increasing friction between the two. Panahov said that in the future, Municipal Councils will play an increasingly important role, and that the ExComm structure will change, requiring commissioners to be elected. He explained that Azerbaijan's regions are still home to many "babies of the communist system," but that the country's youth view the role of local government differently and will be able to change the system. THE ELECTORAL PROCESS -------------- ¶4. (C) Panahov told the Ambassador that each completed step of the electoral process had gone smoothly, including the registration process and campaign season. He expressed his optimism that election day would also pass in a fair and free, transparent manner. Panahov said that after the Soviet Union's collapse, most problems in Azerbaijan's electoral process arose during the registration process, such as candidate intimidation. He said that improvement in the registration process indicated improvement in Azerbaijan's overall electoral process. ANTI-FRAUD EFFORTS -------------- ¶5. (C) The Chairman said that the CEC had sufficient anti-fraud measures in place, such as finger-inking, although he explained that using finger ink in this election is technically illegal because the May 11, 2005 Presidential decree mandating the use of finger ink was intended only for the Parliamentary Elections. Panahov shared his opinion that BAKU 00001496 002 OF 002 the international community had paid too much attention to the use of finger ink in the November 2005 Parliamentary Elections. He said that the level of fraud prevented by finger-inking was "not worth its cost." According to Panahov, President Aliyev's decision to directly punish the members of the ExComms for interfering in elections made the most significant change to Azerbaijan's election climate. PANAHOV'S COMMENTS ON AZERBAIJAN'S SECURITY INTERESTS... -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) Panahov brought up Azerbaijan's security interests. He said that becoming an eventual NATO member would be the "only way" for Azerbaijan to remain secure. Pahanov shared his opinion that, as a Muslim state, Azerbaijan is in a more sensitive position than Georgia and Armenia - making NATO membership a higher priority. He said that other Muslim countries do not accept Azerbaijan as a truly Muslim state because of the population's preference of western culture and lifestyle. Panahov emphasized the importance of Azerbaijan being supported by strong countries like the U.S. to remain safe and secure. ...AND DEMOCRATIC REFORM -------------- ¶7. (C) According to Panahov, although most of the Azerbaijani population prefers the western lifestyle, many also feel that the U.S. and western European countries have double, "even triple" standards when it comes to Armenia and the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and the occupied territories. He complained that the international community is not doing enough to help resolve the N-K conflict, and said that this conflict is the single greatest impediment to Azerbaijan's overall democratic reform. Panahov cautioned that most Azerbaijanis do not openly express their frustration with the West's position on N-K, but that this is a sentiment shared by most of the population "on the inside." He also said that losing Nagorno-Karabakh and the occupied territories would "put Azerbaijani society back by decades," as Azerbaijanis would quickly become disenchanted with the West. DERSE