DEPUTY FM ON TURKMENISTAN, IRAN AND HUMAN RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 001211 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2017 TAGS: PREL ENRG PHUM KDEM KNNC IR AJ SUBJECT: DEPUTY FM ON TURKMENISTAN, IRAN AND HUMAN RIGHTS REF: (A) ASHGABAT 1066 (B) BAKU 238 Classified By: AMBASSADOR ANNE E. DERSE PER REASONS 1.4 (B,D). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In an October 2 meeting with the Ambassador, Deputy Foreign Minister (responsible for bilateral relations) Khalaf Khalafov provided a readout on recent talks between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, urging the U.S. to do more to persuade the Government of Turkmenistan why the trans-Caspian pipeline is in its interest, and to engage the GOTX at a more senior level. Khalafov outlined the state of Azeri-Turkmen bilateral relations, including delimitation, noting that there were many issues yet to be resolved and that the two sides remained engaged and in constant dialogue. Turning to Iran, Khalafov said that the GOAJ recognizes and agrees with the concerns of the U.S. regarding Iran's nuclear program. When Khalafov confirmed that President Aliyev plans to attend the five-party Caspian delimitation talks in Tehran, the Ambassador noted that now was not a good time to support Iran's international aspirations. The Ambassador also raised U.S. concerns regarding Azerbaijan's deteriorating media and human rights situations, highlighting recent human rights abuses in Nakhchivan (septel). END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Ambassador Derse met with Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov October 2 to discuss recent meetings between the Government of Azerbaijan (GOAJ) and the Government of Turkmenistan (GOTX),Iran and the deteriorating media freedom environment. Khalafov stressed to the Ambassador the importance of U.S.-Azerbaijan relations and emphasized that continued dialogue and communication between the two countries would benefit the overall relationship. GOAJ MESSAGE TO U.S. ON TURKMENISTAN -------------- ¶3. (C) Khalafov told the Ambassador that the U.S. needed to do more to convince the GOTX that a trans-Caspian pipeline was in its interest. He added that the U.S. needed to engage with the GOTX at a more senior level. He said that it was not enough for the U.S. to say that it supports a trans-Caspian pipeline project without taking a more active role in talking to the GOTX directly in Ashgabat regarding trans-Caspian projects. He said that the U.S. needed to "intensify its engagement" with Turkmenistan in order for the GOTX "to understand" the benefits a trans-Caspian pipeline would bring to Turkmenistan, adding that implementation of a project will not prejudice other GOTX positions regarding the Caspian. AZERI-TURKMEN BILATERAL RELATIONS: NEXT STEPS -------------- ¶4. (C) Khalafov briefed the Ambassador on recent meetings in Baku with GOTX representatives, noting that while there were many issues yet to be resolved, the two sides remained engaged and in constant dialogue. Khalafov told the Ambassador that "external influence" from Russia was hindering Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan's efforts to improve their relationship and influencing Turkmenistan's thinking on the trans-Caspian pipeline. He said that next steps in the AJ-TX bilateral discussions included resolving the outstanding debt issue between the two governments, launching the Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan Bilateral Commission by the end of 2007, and re-opening Turkmenistan's embassy in Baku. Khalafov appeared confident that the GOAJ would use all means to resolve any outstanding issues and build on its growing positive relations with the GOTX. AZERI-TURKMEN DELIMITATION TALKS -------------- ¶5. (C) Regarding the GOAJ-GOTX discussions on delimitation, Khalafov recognized that both sides were still far apart. Khalafov declined to call discussions at "an impasse," adding that the GOAJ wanted to maintain the momentum and keep all avenues open for discussion. He said that the two governments had decided to prepare separate specific proposals on delimitation in order to begin a serious dialogue, to narrow differences and to resolving the long-standing issues. Khalafov said that the GOAJ hoped to use an internationally accepted map of the Caspian to assist the difficult discussions. Khalafov emphasized that the GOAJ would not accept any proposals from the GOTX that did not "take into account Azerbaijan's particular geographic BAKU 00001211 002 OF 002 factors, including the Absheron Peninsula." The Turkmen, he said, do not want to take the Absheron Peninsula into account in an eventual solution, a position Azerbaijan rejects. ¶6. (C) Khalafov reiterated that the GOAJ will work to maintain an open dialogue with the GOTX on Caspian and regional issues, noting that resolving the outstanding issues would be positive for long-term regional stability. He noted that there would likely be a bilateral meeting between President Aliyev and Turkmen President Berdimuhamedov at the upcoming Caspian Sea delimitation conference in Tehran, which could further discussions on Caspian and regional issues. Khalafov hoped that the two governments would meet again by the end of the year in Ashgabat to continue discussions. AZERBAIJAN AND IRAN -------------- ¶7. (C) Noting that President Aliyev planned to travel to Iran for the Caspian Sea conference, the Ambassador told Khalafov that now was not a good time to support President Ahmadinejad and emphasized the importance of isolating Iran and maintaining a strong unified international community approach to Iran. Khalafov said that the GOAJ recognizes and agrees with the concerns of the U.S. regarding Iran's nuclear weapons program. He said that the Iran should not have a nuclear program, while stating that Iran had the right to a peaceful program. Khalafov agreed that now was not the right time to give the Iranian President any public support and said that Azerbaijan had been the last country to accept Iran's invitation to the Caspian Sea conference (see septel). ¶8. (C) Khalafov agreed that the international community needed to stand united against Iran in order to deliver a strong message. He said that certain senior figures in the government did not support Iran's nuclear program, adding that the current internal political process could convince the government to change course. He emphasized that if the international community remains united, Iran will take notice and that all means should be used regarding Iran to find a peaceful resolution. DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOMS -------------- ¶9. (C) The Ambassador raised the deteriorating media and human rights situation, including the recent beating of an opposition journalist in Nakhchivan by Ministry of National Security officers (septel). The Ambassador told Khalafov media freedoms in Azerbaijan has deteriorated seriously and that she would soon propose to FM Mammadyarov steps to intensify engagement on political and economic reform. Khalafov agreed to pass the message to FM Mammadyarov. Khalafov responded that Azerbaijan's democratic process is constantly developing and that some developments should not be characterized "as a step backwards." He expressed confidence that the situation in Azerbaijan would improve, noting that "future U.S.-Azerbaijan positions on democracy would be close." COMMENT -------------- ¶10. (C) Shortly after the death of Turkmenbashi last year, Khalafov summoned the Ambassador to the MFA to express the GOAJ's wish to launch intensified dialogue with the U.S. with respect to taking advantage of the new opportunity to engage Turkmenistan, and specifically on Caspian delimitation issues (REF B). The GOAJ remains intensely interested in increased USG cooperation. Noting Ashgabat's request for U.S. assistance with the negotiations on delimitation, we ask that Washington advise how we might be able to be of greater assistance in both Baku and Ashgabat, given a solution would support U.S. interests in bringing Caspian gas west. We again urge that a senior USG official visit Baku to consult with the GOAJ specifically on Turkmenistan. DERSE