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