RUSSIA CONVENES G-8 MEETING ON COUNTER-TERRORISM

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 000240

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV KISL RU AJ
SUBJECT: RUSSIA CONVENES G-8 MEETING ON COUNTER-TERRORISM

REF: BISHKEK 151

Classified By: DCM Jason P. Hyland, reasons 1.4 (b,d).


1. (S/NF) Summary: While participants at a Russian-chaired
G-8 meeting on counter-terrorism issues agreed that
Azerbaijan was a strong partner in the global war on
terrorism, the meeting rapidly devolved into a discussion on
Azerbaijan's reform record. Western countries argued that
greater reform was needed to stave off potential domestic
terrorism threats, while Russia argued that Azerbaijan's
"success" on reform had eliminated these threats. Citing its
"close" cooperation with GOAJ security services, Russia also
said that Chechens posed the only real threat to Azerbaijan's
security, while Iranian influences pose a potential threat to
the Aliyev regime. The Russian FSB representative insisted
that Azerbaijan does not face any internal terrorist threats
but acknowledged that weak borders and corruption could make
it easier for terrorists to enter Azerbaijan. This meeting
provided a fascinating insight into Russia's relationship
with Azerbaijan, but we do not support Russia's suggestion to
share information on Azerbaijan's terrorism issues within the
G-8 framework. End summary.


2. (S/NF) Russia, in its capacity as G-8 chair, held a
February 9 "counter-terrorism working group" to explore
current terrorism issues in Azerbaijan and possible venues
for G-8 cooperation. France, Italy, Japan, Germany, the UK
and the U.S. (represented by pol/econ chief and SIMO chief)
attended the meeting. France also sent SIMO counterpart.
Russia was represented by Charge Pyotr Burdikin and four
embassy officials, most of whom were not presented to the
group.


3. (C) Burdikin opened the meeting with Russia's very
positive assessment of Azerbaijan's performance on
counter-terrorism issues. Azerbaijan has ratified key UN
conventions on terrorism, has taken action on terrorist
financing under UNSCR 1373, has contributed peacekeeping
troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and, in general, has
demonstrated a strong desire to cooperate on
counter-terrorism issues. Burdikin also noted that
Azerbaijan's political and religious leaders have played a
positive role in promoting dialogue among religious groups
and the GOAJ works closely with the media to make sure that a
message of tolerance is broadly disseminated. Nevertheless,
Azerbaijan is both a transit point and a potential target for
transnational terrorist groups and, according to Burdikin,
Russia had evidence that some terrorist acts had been
planned.


4. (C) While the western members of the G-8 agreed that the
GOAJ was a strong partner on counter-terrorism issues, the
UK, US, France and Germany argued that greater political and
economic reform was needed to stave off any future domestic
terrorism threats in Azerbaijan. Only with greater openness
and transparency would the GOAJ be able to achieve true
internal stability and ensure that Azerbaijani youth do not
turn to extremism. The UK suggested that the slow growth of
radical Islam in Azerbaijan was a trend that merited further
attention.


5. (C) The Russian FSB representative bristled at this
discussion, dismissing the possibility that the GOAJ could
face an internal terrorism threat. In Russia's view,
Azerbaijanis are peace-loving people who refrain from
conflict. Moreover, GOAJ "success" on political and economic
reform in recent years has eliminated any popular discontent
within Azerbaijan. The GOAJ, according to the Russian FSB
representative, does not believe it faces any internal
threats from terrorism, and Russia also does not believe that
there any domestic radical groups working in Azerbaijan.
Only the Chechens pose a terrorism threat to Azerbaijan and
Russia is taking measures to help Azerbaijan "push" the
Chechens out of its territory. Iranian influence could also
pose a "serious" threat to the Aliyev regime. Weaknesses in
Azerbaijan's border controls, including corruption, could
allow some terrorists to penetrate Azerbaijani territory; to
that end, Russian Charge Burdikin suggested, perhaps G-8
members could begin sharing terrorism information in
Azerbaijan. Burdikin's suggestion was met with noncommital
shrugs by most and a comment from the UK that this sort of
meeting was not the appropriate venue. (Burdikin also made a
point of telling the group that not all Chechens are bad

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people.)


6. (S/NF) Comment: This awkward meeting, presumably called
on instructions from Moscow (ref),provided a fascinating
insight into the Russia-Azerbaijan bilateral relationship.
The FSB representative made repeated reference to Russia's
close relationship with the Ministry of National Security and
clearly felt compelled to defend Azerbaijan's performance on
democracy and human rights issues. Russia's insistence on
the lack of domestic terrorist threats within Azerbaijan does
not square with our information and suggests either
deliberate disinformation on the part of the Russians or
their "close" partners within Azerbaijan's security services.
We do not support Russia's suggestion to share information
on Azerbaijan's terrorism issues within the framework of the
G-8.
HARNISH