PRESIDENT'S CHIEF OF STAFF ON MAY ELECTIONS, JC3,

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000306

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT PLEASE PASS USAID

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KFLU EAID EAGR MAPP AJ
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT'S CHIEF OF STAFF ON MAY ELECTIONS, JC3,
AND AVIAN FLU


Classified By: AMBASSADOR RENO L. HARNISH III; REASONS 1.4 (B,D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: During a meeting with the Ambassador,
Presidential Chief of Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev was in general
agreement with our approach to May parliamentary re-run
elections, and did not object to NDI/IRI sending observers if
they were interested. He also asked to meet with IRI and NDI
country directors soon to discuss their activity in the
run-up to the election. On a Joint Communication and Control
Center (JC3) for Azerbaijan's Navy and Maritime Border Guard,
Mehdiyev agreed to work with both agencies' chiefs to
identify a suitable site. Mehdiyev also agreed to discuss
our desire for more action on avian influenza with the head
of the new Presidential Commission on AI, DPM Abbas Abbasov.
END SUMMARY.


2. (C) On February 23, Ambassador met with Presidential Chief
of Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev. Presidential foreign policy advisor
Novruz Mammadov and presidential legal advisor Shahin Aliyev
accompanied Mehdiyev. Ambassador outlined broadly USG plans
for the May parliamentary re-run elections. With the
bilateral relationship on track, he said, the U.S. goal was
to have an improved process over the November election. To
this end, we would repeat our efforts from the fall,
including finger inking, a USG-funded exit poll (administered
by IRI) in the 10 constituencies where voting would take
place, and USG and international observers. Mehdiyev and
Shahin Aliyev asked the Ambassador to verify with IRI and NDI
their intent to send observers, as the GOAJ wanted to extend
invitations to them but was reluctant to risk a public
decline by either organization. Mehdiyev cautioned that
local and international organizations should not "be hasty"
in their assessment of the May election. However, he
generally agreed with the USG approach described by the
Ambassador. Finally, he asked that the Embassy arrange for
him meetings with the country directors of NDI and IRI to
discuss the run-up to the May election.


3. (C) On border secuity, Mehdiyev shared the USG's goal of
increasin Azerbaijan's ability to control its section of th
Caspian Sea. The Ambassador pointed out that this goal would
be simpler if Azerbaijan's Navy and Maritime Border Guard
worked closely together. Deputy Prime Minister Eyyubov had
committed during a visit by a recent USG delegation to locate
a suitable site for a U.S.-built Joint Communications and
Control Center. Eyyubov had also committed to provide the
USG with a letter requesting Azerbaijani Navy participation
in the Caspian Guard program. The Ambassador requested
Mehdiyev's support, and intervention if necessary, to ensure
that Eyyubov was able to follow through on his commitments.
Mehdiyev agreed to follow up with Eyyubov, noting the
importance Azerbaijan attached to working with the U.S. and
to controlling its borders.


4. (C) Turning to avian influenza, the Ambassador noted the
Embassy's commitment to help the GOAJ deal with the AI
threat. Nevertheless, he noted, there was increasing concern
that the GOAJ was falling behind on AI. The Ambassador urged
Mehdiyev to focus the GOAJ on three vital areas: an active
surveillance program in the field to determine the extent of
the threat, a detailed and workable action plan to allow
donor support to flow where needed, and an effective public
information campaign. Mehdiyev noted that the new Avian
Influenza Commission had just begun its work; it was too
early to assess its efficacy. However, he said, the GOAJ was
stepping up prophylactic measures and putting more
information out via media. Mehdiyev underscored that he was
in constant contact with Deputy Prime Minister Abbas Abbasov,
who headed the AI Commission. Mehdiyev also agreed to inform
President Aliyev and DPM Abbasov of our concern and
suggestions.
HARNISH