AHMADINEJAD IN BAKU

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 001052

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL IR AJ
SUBJECT: AHMADINEJAD IN BAKU


BAKU 00001052 001.2 OF 002


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


1. (C) Summary: Iranian President Ahmadinejad's August
21-22 visit to Baku received extensive positive coverage,
with Ahmadinejad's "peace for all" message coming across well
with the Azerbaijani press. While we have not yet obtained
information on the full range and nature of agreements
reached between the two countries, initial press reports
indicate that most were centered on transportation. Embassy
contacts and political commentators believe that
Ahmadinejad's visit is driven by Iranian security concerns,
with Iran likely seeking further assurances that Azerbaijan
will not allow the U.S. to use its territory against Iran.
While differences between the two countries remain -
including the unresolved legal status of the Caspian Sea,
Azerbaijani concerns over Iranian attempts to export radical
Islam, and Iran's treatment of its sizable ethnic Azeri
minority - both sides seem intent upon showcasing good
neighborly relations. End Summary.

TV and Official Press Give Extensive Positive Coverage
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2. (U) Iranian President Ahmadinejad's first official visit
to Azerbaijan received extensive positive media coverage,
with the news programs of all six national television
networks leading with the visit on August 21. Television
coverage featured a range of the day's events, including the
two presidents' warm greeting outside the Presidential
Apparat, and the signing of five bilateral agreements and a
joint declaration. Official newspapers dedicated three to
four full pages of coverage to the visit.


3. (SBU) Ahmadinejad's "peace for all" message at a joint
press conference with President Aliyev came across especially
well with the Azerbaijani press, with Ahmadinejad reiterating
Iran's support for Azerbaijan's "just" position on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In doing so, Ahmadinejad directly
addressed Azerbaijan's top foreign policy priority and the
widespread public skepticism regarding Iran's position on
this issue.

Agreements Reached - and Drivers - of the Visit
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4. (SBU) While the full range and nature of agreements
reached between the two countries remains unclear, initial
press reports indicate that the joint declaration was a "very
wide ranging and comprehensive" document which included a
provision on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The five
bilateral agreements appear to be centered on transportation
improvements, including the establishment of a
Baku-Nakhchivan-Baku bus service and building of a road
bridge at the primary border crossing between Nakhchivan and
Iran at Culfa. Concerning energy, an agreement to construct
a hydroelectric power plant on the Araz River was also
reached according to press reports. (Note: The joint
declaration has been published in Azerbaijani. Post will
provide an English translation. End Note.)


5. (C) Embassy contacts and political commentators believe
that Ahmadinejad's visit is driven by Iranian security
concerns, with Iran likely seeking further assurances that
Azerbaijan will not allow the U.S. to use its territory
against Iran. Local analysts note that Iranian concerns
likely were heightened by Russia's recent proposal to make
the Qabala radar station available for a joint missile
defense project. Commentators also speculate that
Ahmadinejad was seeking renewed support from Baku on Iran's
nuclear program and against any new, harsher UN Security
Council resolutions directed against it.

Atmospherics
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6. (U) During public appearances, both leaders were all
smiles and appeared unusually relaxed. As in other head of
state visits, the national flags of Azerbaijan and the
visiting head of state adorned the light posts along all of
Baku's major roadways, dozens of policemen manning each major
intersection to ensure an orderly flow of traffic. All of
Baku's major fountains were also functioning, another
tell-tale sign that a significant event was underway.

Comment
--------------


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7. (C) While differences between the two countries remain -
including the unresolved legal status of the Caspian Sea,
Azerbaijani concerns over Iranian attempts to export radical
Islam, and Iran's treatment of its sizable ethnic Azeri
minority - both sides seemed intent upon showcasing their
good neighborly relations. Embassy media contacts noted that
the Presidential Administration took the unusual precaution
of limiting questions from journalists during the signing
ceremony and calling key media contacts and requesting
questions before the event, actions they interpreted as a
sign that the government did not want to leave anything to
chance. We are seeking meetings with a range of senior GOAJ
contacts for a readout of the visit, and will provide further
comment.
DERSE