AZERBAIJAN: OIC MEETING ENDS QUIETLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000934 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/23/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV KISL IR AJ SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: OIC MEETING ENDS QUIETLY Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES JASON P. HYLAND PER 1.4 (B,D). ¶1. (SBU) With the hosting of the 33rd session of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Azerbaijan significantly raised its international profile. Presidential Advisor Novruz Mammadov told reporters that the fact the OIC occurred in Baku signaled "Azerbaijan's growing reputation in the world." Although a logistical headache for a government not used to hosting such large events, the OIC conference appeared to happen without any major issues or problems. The local press covered the event but did not have significant insights into the internal deliberations or atmospherics of meetings. For local Azerbaijanis, the references to Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani territory were the ost significant outcome. ¶2. (SBU) The Baku Delaration, adopted at the conference, contained 3 points. Of note to Azerbaijan, declaration numer 14 condemned the "aggression" of the Republic o Armenia against Azerbaijan. Local press reported that OIC Foreign Ministers sent UN Secretary General Kofi Annan a letter attached with documents and maps outlining Azerbaijan's views on Nagorno-Karabakh and the occupied territories, urging the world community to spread the "truth" on the conflict. In addition, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu familiarized himself with satellite photos of the Azerbaijani territories under Armenian occupation. MFA Spokesman, Tahir Tagizade, told local journalists that Foreign Minister Mammadyarov presented satellite images of burned areas of the occupied territories to OIC representatives, highlighting the fire damage that he alleged was committed by Armenians in the regions of Agdam and Hojavend. ¶3. (C) The Baku Declaration also affirmed the right of all member states to develop a peaceful nuclear program. During his closing speech, Ihsanoglu reiterated the OIC's strong support for Iran's legitimate right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy. UK Embassy representatives told us that over the weekend the EU Troika ambassadors delivered a demarche to MFA Deputy Minister Vagif Sadikhov regarding Iran. ¶4. (C) The OIC Summit clearly was an extraordinary undertaking for the GOAJ. Senior Azerbaijani officials were notably nervous in the run-up to the OIC meetings and entire ministries worked this event to ensure success. The whole MFA corps participated in the logistics and planning of the OIC, with groups of officials personally dedicated to OIC representatives and their entourage. The MFA even issued all of its staff new telephones to facilitate communications. Post will follow-up with senior MFA officials early next week to get additional insights into the internal atmospherics and deliberations. HYLAND