DOD DAS MACDOUGALL'S DECEMBER 7 MEETING WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 001791

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR MOPS PBTS PHUM AJ IR
SUBJECT: DOD DAS MACDOUGALL'S DECEMBER 7 MEETING WITH
DEFENSE MINISTER ABIYEV


Classified By: Ambassador Anne Derse for reasons 1.4 b and d.


1. (C) Summary: Department of Defense Deputy Assistant
Secretary James MacDougall and the Ambassador--accompanied by

SIPDIS
Major General Harry Wyatt of the Oklahoma National Guard and
EUCOM Brigadier General Melvin Spiese--met with Defense
Minister Safar Abiyev on December 7 to discuss bilateral
military cooperation. Both sides acknowledged that bilateral
cooperation is continuing to deepen in a variety of fields.
MacDougall told Abiyev the USG is preparing for a joint
State-DoD team to conduct discussions with the GOAJ on
developments in and approaches to Iran. Spiese reviewed
EUCOM's proposal for a bilateral military "work plan" that
would provide for "more effective and comprehensive"
cooperation with Azerbaijan. Abiyev agreed to the "work
plan" concept. End Summary

Review of Bilateral Cooperation
--------------


2. (C) Department of Defense Deputy Assistant Secretary
James MacDougall and the Ambassador--accompanied by Major
General Harry Wyatt of the Oklahoma National Guard and EUCOM
Brigadier General Melvin Spiese--met with Defense Minister
Safar Abiyev on December 7 to discuss the status of bilateral
military cooperation. Abiyev said the relationship is "very
well developed," and we are actively working to "implement
this program" of bilateral cooperation. Cooperation occurs
at the bilateral level and within the framework of NATO,
Abiyev noted. Abiyev listed several areas where Azerbaijan
is cooperating with the USG: peacekeepers deployed in
Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kosovo; provision of overflight
rights for the coalition; and movement toward NATO standards.
One Azerbaijani bridade has been transformed to NATO
standards, and two additional units--at the corps level--will
be brought up to NATO standards by January 2007. The
headquarters elements of the Air Force and Navy also will be
transformed to NATO standards. Abiyev affirmed that the MOD
seeks to fulfill its IPAP commitments, as is demonstrated by
the MOD's NCO academy and the upgrades taken at Nasosnaya air
field. The MOD's Assimilation and Modeling Center and its
mobile battalion underscore the Ministry's efforts to
modernize. Abiyev noted that there is also strong bilateral
cooperation in the field of Caspian maritime security
initiatives. Abiyev cited the importance of President
Aliyev's visit to Washington and NATO headquarters as
reaffirmation of Azerbaijan's policy of closeness with the
West.


3. (C) Abiyev said Azerbaijan will never forget or accept
Armenia's occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh (NK). The
Azerbaijan armed forces will always be read to liberate NK if
negotiations fail. Abiyev thanked MacDougall for USG efforts
within the OSCE Minsk Group process to resolve the conflict.
He noted that it would be better if the USG could take a
"more active" effort within the Minsk Group. Abiyev also
raised Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, saying it
restricts our cooperation in "almost all directions." The
law puts the bilateral relationship in a certain framework,
and we cannot step to the right or the left of this
construct. Furthermore, the law requires that cooperation be
kept on a year-to-year basis.


4. (C) MacDougall thanked Abiyev for his assessment and for
Azerbaijan's military cooperation. MacDougall said bilateral
cooperation is broadening and deepening, as symbolized by the
presence of general officers like Wyatt and Spiese. The USG
envisions a greater strategic relationship with Azerbaijan.
MacDougall acknowledged limits on the bilateral relations,
such as Section 907. The bilateral relationship is not,
however, on a year-to-year basis because President Bush has
committed to waiving the law annually while he is in office.
Moreover, if the NK conflict can be peacefully resolved, the
law will no longer be relevant. MacDougall also mentioned
that he was encouraged by apparent recent momentum in
negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Preparations for Bilateral Iran Discussions
--------------


5. (C) MacDougall told Abiyev that the USG is preparing for
a joint State-DoD team to discuss Iran with the GOAJ. The
talks could occur as early as January 2007. The discussions

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would assume that the GOAJ has a keen understanding of Iran.
The USG goal remains preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear
weapons, even though some countries seem to be focusing now
on how to deal with the consequences of a nuclear-armed Iran.
We want to work as a partner with Azerbaijan as we seek to
deal with the security threat posed by Iran. At senior
levels of the USG, there is a growing recognition that
Azerbaijan is an "important interlocutor" on Iranian security
issues.

Update on Nasosnaya and Potential US Visit
--------------


6. (C) MacDougall said the USG is working through the
budgetary process to help the GOAJ refurbish Nasosnaya to
meet NATO standards. Regarding a potential Abiyev visit to
the US, MacDougall mentioned that he would raise this issue
with the new SECDEF.

Abiyev Agrees to EUCOM "Work Plan"
--------------


7. (C) Spiese briefed Abiyev on a concept for "formalizing"
military cooperation in the next year. Spiese noted that the
bilateral relationship is growing deeper and cooperation is
becoming more strategic. At the military level, EUCOM seeks
to develop a "more effective and comprehensive" way of
working with Azerbaijan through a joint "work plan." The
work plan's purpose is to further focus our cooperation in a
strategic direction and avoid joint activities that are
merely random or ad hoc. Instead of joint activities being
planned only at the colonel or general level, activities
could be planned a year in advance and could receive input
through the annual Bilateral Defense Consultations. The
intent would be to coordinate activities toward mutual goals
and have a means for assessing progress in our strategic
relationship. If Abiyev agrees to the plan, he and USEUCOM
Deputy Commander General Ward could sign a draft work plan
agreement. This document would help to manage the
relationship within a more strategic framework in Washington.



8. (C) MacDougall explained the "work plan" process. In
bilateral consultations, both sides could agree to specific
goals--such as the areas of NCO reforms or maritime
security--and both sides could then develop the mechanism to
accomplish these goals. For example, EUCOM could provide
training, visits, or other measures. Abiyev said he agreed
with the proposal. He said the MOD would need to decide on
the necessary representatives from the Azerbaijani side and
that the planning cycle could only begin after the start of
the new year. MacDougall encouraged Abiyev to send newer
generals to participate in this process.

US Pursuing All Aspects of the Relationship
--------------


9. (C) The Ambassador reminded Abiyev of the key US
interests in Azerbaijan: security, energy and economic
cooperation, and building democracy through politial and
economic reform. DoD's proposal concretel addresses the
security interest. In early Febrary, the USG and GOAJ will
launch a new economiccommission to enhance our economic
cooperation. Additionally, A/S Lowenkron will visit in
mid-Deember to address the democracy aspect of our
relaionship. In short, the US is actively working to uild
up the bilateral relationship in all spheres.


10. (C) Abiyev closed the meeting with a request for
additional literature and example documents from DoD.
MacDougall said that he would follow-up with the request.


11. (U) DASD MacDougall cleared this message.
DERSE