AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTIAL FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 001318 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM AJ SUBJECT: AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTIAL FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR ON ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REFORM IN AZERBAIJAN REF: BAKU 1126 Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: During an October 26 meeting with Azerbaijani Presidential Foreign Policy Advisor Novruz Mammadov, the Ambassador had a frank and productive discussion with Mammadov about the state of the U.S.-Azerbaijani bilateral relationship. While Mammadov said that issues such as democratic and media reform were issues that did not fall under his purview, he conceded that a lack of progress in these areas impacts Azerbaijan's international relations, something he said he did not wish to see. To address the Ambassador's concerns, Mammadov recommended that A/S Fried speak with President Aliyev directly about them "in a friendly manner" during Fried's upcoming visit to Azerbaijan. End Summary. ¶2. (C) During an October 26 meeting with Presidential Foreign Policy Advisor Novruz Mammadov (other topics septel), the Ambassador had a frank and productive discussion with Mammadov about the state of the U.S.-Azerbaijani bilateral relationship. Noting that Azerbaijan's mixed record on reform had the potential to affect international relations, the Ambassador said she wanted to explore productive and positive ways to bring about change and asked Mammadov for his views. Concerning economic reform, the Ambassador characterized Azerbaijan's WTO entry efforts as good and said that the U.S. supported Azerbaijan's accession. Azerbaijan's record on anti-corruption, however, could only be characterized as mixed, and the Government of Azerbaijan's (GOAJ) slowness in taking key anti-corruption measures such as the adoption of anti-money laundering and counter terrorist finance legislation was beginning to have implications for Azerbaijan's national security. The Ambassador gave Mammadov a copy of a letter she had sent to Presidential Chief of Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev on September 27th outlining her concerns on Azerbaijan's new anti-corruption plan (reftel),noting that she still awaited a meeting with Mehdiyev to discuss them. On political reform, the Ambassador said that it had been a difficult year, noting in particular troubling developments on the media front. The Ambassador also highlighted other areas of concern, including the need for progress on freedom of assembly and electoral reform. ¶3. (C) Saying that he understood the Ambassador's concerns, Mammadov pointed out that these issues were beyond his control (that said, he later said that he was trying to "present my views despite this being outside of my competency"). Saying that Azerbaijan has huge potential and that "we want to show our best face, Mammadov cautioned that change can't happen overnight, but "we are taking steps." Saying that "not all journalists are guilty," Mammadov also argued that there were "certain limits." Citing examples of when he believed he had been libeled in the press, Mammadov suggested that the group of like-minded foreign ambassadors and heads of international organizations work together with editors-in-chief to discuss "limits and responsibilities." ¶4. (C) Mammadov said that during the upcoming presidential election year Azerbaijan had the potential to minimize "bad accidents" on the media front. Saying that he fully comprehended the fact that it was time for Azerbaijan to take actions to improve the media environment, Mammadov suggested another meeting between foreign ambassadors and Presidential Chief of Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev on this issue. Mammadov added that President Aliyev didn't need these types of incidents and wanted stability, recommending that A/S Fried speak with President Aliyev about these issues "in a friendly manner." Mammadov also said that although he wasn't sure, he thought Aliyev might sign a presidential decree pardoning imprisoned journalists by 12 November, Azerbaijan's Constitution Day. Reacting to the Ambassador's suggestion that Aliyev meet with journalists, Mammadov said that while he didn't see a meeting possible now, it might be possible in the future. The Ambassador noted that such a move would send a powerful signal of Azerbaijan's commitment to a free media. ¶5. (C) Comment: We feel that Mammadov fully recognizes the damage that further roll backs in democracy and media freedom could bring his country, especially given the 2008 presidential election and even closer international media scrutiny. He is a good ally in our efforts to help Aliyev and his senior advisors understand the negative impact of Azerbaijan's poor reform record on Azerbaijan's international reputation and relations. EUR A/S Fried's upcoming visit to Azerbaijan represents an excellent opportunity for us to advance these concerns with President Aliyev, as Mammadov has suggested. End Comment. DERSE