AZERBAIJAN SEEKS ELECTION TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000606

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2016
TAGS: PREL KUNR OPDC PHUM UNGA AJ
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN SEEKS ELECTION TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS
COUNCIL

REF: A. STATE 57036

B. STATE 55461

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


1. (SBU) On April 10, post received a diplomatic note from
the MFA in which the GOAJ formally requested the USG support
its candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council. The text of
the dipnote follows in paragraph 3. We understand the GOAJ
presented a similar dipnote to USUN.


2. (C) During an April 13 meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister
Khalaf Khalafov asked the DCM for USG support for
Azerbaijan's candidacy. DCM said that the Embassy would
convey the GOAJ's strong interest in the UNHRC to Washington.
DCM also presented the Deputy Foreign Minister with a copy
of the Secretary's letter on the topic to convey to the
Foreign Minister (Ref A). Khalafov said he would convey the
letter and the information to the Foreign Minister. In a
separate meeting April 10, Poloff presented Ref B to the MFA
Attache for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Fakhraddin
Ismayilov. Ismayilov also indicated that the GOAJ would seek
USG support for its HRC candidacy.


3. (SBU) Following is the text of the MFA's dipnote:

(Begin text)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan
presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States
of America in Baku and has the honor to inform that the
Government of Azerbaijan has decided to present its
candidature to the Human Rights Council at the election to be
held during the General Assembly Session on May 9, 2006.

Since the restoration of its independence, the Republic of
Azerbaijan declared its commitment to building a civil
society based on democracy, rule of law, and protection of
human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Azerbaijan pursues the policy of active cooperation with
international organizations, their respective bodies and
institutions in the field of human rights and fundamental
freedoms. Azerbaijan is a party to all major international
human rights instruments and has recognized the competence of
the respective UN treaty monitoring bodies.

The Ministry has the honor to bring to the attention of the
esteemed Embassy that the Republic of Azerbaijan for the
first time has been elected to the United Nations Commission
on Human Rights for the period of 2006 - 2008. Due to the
envisaged termination of the Commission, the Government of
Azerbaijan believes it would be fair to provide Azerbaijan
with the opportunity to contribute to the achievement of
shared objectives in the field of human rights in the Human
Rights Council.

The Government of Azerbaijan would be most grateful if the
Government of the United States of America, taking into
consideration the friendly relations and close cooperation
existing between the two countries lend its valuable support
to the candidature of the Government of Azerbaijan in the
aforementioned election.

The Government of Azerbaijan is ready to favorably consider
proposals of mutual support.

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to
the Embassy the assurance of its highest consideration.

Baku, April 10, 2006.

(End text)
HARNISH