Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAKU240
2007-02-26 09:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baku
Cable title:
AZERBAIJAN: FM MAMMADYAROV ON TURKMENISTAN, IRAN
how-toVZCZCXRO7368 RR RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHKB #0240/01 0570906 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 260906Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAKU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2463 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BAKU 000240
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV AJ TU GA
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: FM MAMMADYAROV ON TURKMENISTAN, IRAN
REF: STATE 19372
Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse, Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BAKU 000240
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV AJ TU GA
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: FM MAMMADYAROV ON TURKMENISTAN, IRAN
REF: STATE 19372
Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse, Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) This is an action request- please see paragraph 14.
2 (C) SUMMARY. In a February 19 meeting with the Ambassador,
FM Mammadyarov said that the recently concluded visit of DoD
A/S Rodman had clarified the USG position on Iran, and he
approved of the USG focus on a diplomatic solution.
Concerning the possibility of tabling at the UN the GUAM
initiative on conflicts in the GUAM areas, Mammadyarov said
he would "coordinate tactics" with DAS Bryza. Mammadyarov
said that after returning from the Turkmenistan President's
inauguration, PM Rasulzade was cautiously optimistic
concerning an improvement in bilateral relations, and that
the GOAJ would send a signal that Mammadyarov would visit
Ashgabat if invited. END SUMMARY
3. (C) On February 19 the Ambassador met with FM Elmar
Mammadyarov. Also present were Foreign Ministry America's
Desk Office Elchin Bashirov and Emboff.
IRAN
--------------
4. (C) FM Mammadyarov said that he had met the previous day
with the visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter
Steinmeier, who would be meeting with Secretary Rice and the
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Berlin on February
21. He said that the Germans had an "interesting proposal"
concerning Iran that they will discuss with Secretary Rice
and the Russian Foreign Minister. Mammadyarov said that if
the 'reformists' in the Iranian government hierarchy were
flexible the proposal might be worthwhile.
5. (C) The Ambassador, drawing on reftel points, said that
Iran's differences lie with its neighbors and the
international community, that the US did not seek conflict
with Iran and was seeking to use all diplomatic means to
solve the extant problems. The USG would defend our
national interests in the region and protect the sovereignty
of friends, particularly from Iran's attempts to threaten our
allies and to destabilize the region. She enumerated on how
the USG was working to change Iran's behavior on several
major issues. She asked if asked if DoD A/S Rodman's visit
helped clarify the USG Iran position to the GOAJ.
Mammadyarov said it did, and he was encouraged by the USG
focus on solving the problem through diplomatic means and
increased pressure on Iran. UNSC Resolution 1737 was a
strong move by the international community, and helped focus
the Iranian leadership on the relative pros and cons of
Iran's nuclear program. In response to the Ambassador's
question, Mammadyarov asserted that the GOAJ would be fully
complaint with UNSC 1737. Mammadyarov added that Iran must
be given a 'face-saving option' that will allow it to forego
continuing its nuclear efforts, a point with which the German
FM had agreed. The Ambassador said that the US and
international community had already given Iran such as
face-saving option, which was still on the table.
6. (C) Mammadyarov said he had told the German FM that the
Iranian nuclear program beyond being important in itself
could have a domino effect for other countries, and that the
international community needed to "rethink the NPT." He said
the NPT in its current form was "ded," and that he told the
German FM that it should spearhead efforts to revitalize the
NPT in the UN, and that this could also be a theme of its EU
leadership. Disagreeing that the NPT was dead, the
Ambassador cautioned that raising the issue of the NPT.
Mammadyarov said that Iran looked very closely at how the
international community dealt with the North Korean nuclear
issue.
7. (C) In response to Mammadyarov's question, the Ambassador
said that the USG does not deny Iran's right to have a
peaceful nuclear program, adding that it was its insistence
on domestic uranium enrichment, reprocessing and related
activities with the apparent aim of acquiring weapons
capability that was problematic. Mammadyarov said that any
Iranian enrichment should be done under the auspices of the
IAEA, even if it was a joint venture with another country.
He asked if the USG supported Russian off-shore enrichment of
Iranian uranium. The Ambassador, saying that she wanted to
ensure she was correctly reflecting the latest USG policy,
said she would check with Washington. On another note,
BAKU 00000240 002 OF 003
Mammadyarov said that his Embassy in Tehran was reporting
significant price increases in basic staples in Tehran, such
as bread. He also said that Deputy Foreign Minister Khalafov
would be traveling to Tehran on February 26-27, as a
reciprocal visit to the recent Baku visit of Iranian DFM
Mehdi Safari.
8. (C) Ambassador noted that all Ambassadors were speaking
with their Foreign Ministry counterparts about the Iranian
threat and concomitant USG policy, stressing that the USG is
committed to finding a diplomatic solution. The USG, working
with its allies, is increasing economic pressure on Iran, and
has sent a second carrier group to the Persian Gulf. The USG
has also begun to react to Iranian efforts to attack
Coalition forces in Iraq. Outside of UNSC 1737, the USG is
also blacklisting those persons and companies involved in
Iranian WMD and nuclear efforts. On a positive side, the USG
is increasing exchange programs, grants and sports exchanges,
to include the recent visit of a US wrestling team to Iran.
9. (C) The FM asked if the USG was allowing any investment in
Iran's energy sector, adding that the French company Total
has been quick to profit from the absence of US energy
companies in Iran. The Ambassador reiterated USG policy of
on investment in Iran's energy sector and th importance of
support from the international community.'
GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
--------------
10. (C) Mammadyarov asked about the status of the Armenian
Genocide resolution in Congress (HR 106),adding that this
issue was very important. The Ambassador said that she did
not know the latest status, but would check and get back to
him.
TURKMENISTAN
--------------
11. (C) Mammadyarov said that the Prime Minister Rasizade,
traveled to Turkmenistan for the inauguration of Kurbanguly
Berdymukhamedov. Rasizadeh told Mammadyarov that he had had
a good meeting with the new Turkman President. According to
Rasizade, Berdymukhamedov was cautiously sending a message to
the GOAJ, and at one point told Rasizade that "let us keep
the bad in the past and turn to a new page; let us see what
we can do in the Caspian." Mammadyarov said that if
Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan could come to an agreement re
Caspian delimitation, "the Iran Caspian problem would be
solved." He pointed out that the network of gas pipelines
already exists in the Caspian to accommodate the Turkmen
offshore gas that is near the Azerbaijan Caspian Sea border.
A good sign of a new Turkmen attitude would be if the new
Turkmen government posts an Ambassador to Baku, to fill the
position that has been vacant for the last five years.
Mammadyarov said that he himself would seek to travel to
Turkmenistan after the new government is formalized, and that
the GOAJ Ambassador in Turkmenistan has communicated
Mammadyarov's willingness to do so. (Septel reports DFM
Khalafov's follow-up request to the Ambassador that the USG
and GOAJ intensify dialogue and cooperate vis a vis
Turkmenistan).
12. (C) Mammadyarov said that he was scheduled to attend an
OIC meeting in Jeddah on February 21 that will discuss energy
issues at the Foreign Minister level.
GUAM RESOLUTION
--------------
13. (C) The Ambassador cautioned Mammadyarov about the risks
of tabling at the UN the GUAM initiative on conflicts in the
GUAM area, pointing out that once GUAM tables the text, it is
out of its control, with the possibility of the text being
turned into something antithetical to GUAM interests.
Mammadyarov said he had wanted to table the resolution now as
a "first step" that would enable him to work the issue at the
UN. In response to the Ambassador's warnings about this move
possibly backfiring, Mammadyarov said he had been expecting a
call from PDAS Bryza after the latest Minsk Group meetings in
Paris, but had not heard from him on this subject. He would
"coordinate tactics" with Bryza on next steps.
14. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Per FM Mammadyarov's request for more
information, Embassy requests the official USG position on
Russian offshore enrichment of uranium for Iran, and the
BAKU 00000240 003 OF 003
current status of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (House
Resolution 106).
DERSE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV AJ TU GA
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: FM MAMMADYAROV ON TURKMENISTAN, IRAN
REF: STATE 19372
Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse, Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) This is an action request- please see paragraph 14.
2 (C) SUMMARY. In a February 19 meeting with the Ambassador,
FM Mammadyarov said that the recently concluded visit of DoD
A/S Rodman had clarified the USG position on Iran, and he
approved of the USG focus on a diplomatic solution.
Concerning the possibility of tabling at the UN the GUAM
initiative on conflicts in the GUAM areas, Mammadyarov said
he would "coordinate tactics" with DAS Bryza. Mammadyarov
said that after returning from the Turkmenistan President's
inauguration, PM Rasulzade was cautiously optimistic
concerning an improvement in bilateral relations, and that
the GOAJ would send a signal that Mammadyarov would visit
Ashgabat if invited. END SUMMARY
3. (C) On February 19 the Ambassador met with FM Elmar
Mammadyarov. Also present were Foreign Ministry America's
Desk Office Elchin Bashirov and Emboff.
IRAN
--------------
4. (C) FM Mammadyarov said that he had met the previous day
with the visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter
Steinmeier, who would be meeting with Secretary Rice and the
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Berlin on February
21. He said that the Germans had an "interesting proposal"
concerning Iran that they will discuss with Secretary Rice
and the Russian Foreign Minister. Mammadyarov said that if
the 'reformists' in the Iranian government hierarchy were
flexible the proposal might be worthwhile.
5. (C) The Ambassador, drawing on reftel points, said that
Iran's differences lie with its neighbors and the
international community, that the US did not seek conflict
with Iran and was seeking to use all diplomatic means to
solve the extant problems. The USG would defend our
national interests in the region and protect the sovereignty
of friends, particularly from Iran's attempts to threaten our
allies and to destabilize the region. She enumerated on how
the USG was working to change Iran's behavior on several
major issues. She asked if asked if DoD A/S Rodman's visit
helped clarify the USG Iran position to the GOAJ.
Mammadyarov said it did, and he was encouraged by the USG
focus on solving the problem through diplomatic means and
increased pressure on Iran. UNSC Resolution 1737 was a
strong move by the international community, and helped focus
the Iranian leadership on the relative pros and cons of
Iran's nuclear program. In response to the Ambassador's
question, Mammadyarov asserted that the GOAJ would be fully
complaint with UNSC 1737. Mammadyarov added that Iran must
be given a 'face-saving option' that will allow it to forego
continuing its nuclear efforts, a point with which the German
FM had agreed. The Ambassador said that the US and
international community had already given Iran such as
face-saving option, which was still on the table.
6. (C) Mammadyarov said he had told the German FM that the
Iranian nuclear program beyond being important in itself
could have a domino effect for other countries, and that the
international community needed to "rethink the NPT." He said
the NPT in its current form was "ded," and that he told the
German FM that it should spearhead efforts to revitalize the
NPT in the UN, and that this could also be a theme of its EU
leadership. Disagreeing that the NPT was dead, the
Ambassador cautioned that raising the issue of the NPT.
Mammadyarov said that Iran looked very closely at how the
international community dealt with the North Korean nuclear
issue.
7. (C) In response to Mammadyarov's question, the Ambassador
said that the USG does not deny Iran's right to have a
peaceful nuclear program, adding that it was its insistence
on domestic uranium enrichment, reprocessing and related
activities with the apparent aim of acquiring weapons
capability that was problematic. Mammadyarov said that any
Iranian enrichment should be done under the auspices of the
IAEA, even if it was a joint venture with another country.
He asked if the USG supported Russian off-shore enrichment of
Iranian uranium. The Ambassador, saying that she wanted to
ensure she was correctly reflecting the latest USG policy,
said she would check with Washington. On another note,
BAKU 00000240 002 OF 003
Mammadyarov said that his Embassy in Tehran was reporting
significant price increases in basic staples in Tehran, such
as bread. He also said that Deputy Foreign Minister Khalafov
would be traveling to Tehran on February 26-27, as a
reciprocal visit to the recent Baku visit of Iranian DFM
Mehdi Safari.
8. (C) Ambassador noted that all Ambassadors were speaking
with their Foreign Ministry counterparts about the Iranian
threat and concomitant USG policy, stressing that the USG is
committed to finding a diplomatic solution. The USG, working
with its allies, is increasing economic pressure on Iran, and
has sent a second carrier group to the Persian Gulf. The USG
has also begun to react to Iranian efforts to attack
Coalition forces in Iraq. Outside of UNSC 1737, the USG is
also blacklisting those persons and companies involved in
Iranian WMD and nuclear efforts. On a positive side, the USG
is increasing exchange programs, grants and sports exchanges,
to include the recent visit of a US wrestling team to Iran.
9. (C) The FM asked if the USG was allowing any investment in
Iran's energy sector, adding that the French company Total
has been quick to profit from the absence of US energy
companies in Iran. The Ambassador reiterated USG policy of
on investment in Iran's energy sector and th importance of
support from the international community.'
GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
--------------
10. (C) Mammadyarov asked about the status of the Armenian
Genocide resolution in Congress (HR 106),adding that this
issue was very important. The Ambassador said that she did
not know the latest status, but would check and get back to
him.
TURKMENISTAN
--------------
11. (C) Mammadyarov said that the Prime Minister Rasizade,
traveled to Turkmenistan for the inauguration of Kurbanguly
Berdymukhamedov. Rasizadeh told Mammadyarov that he had had
a good meeting with the new Turkman President. According to
Rasizade, Berdymukhamedov was cautiously sending a message to
the GOAJ, and at one point told Rasizade that "let us keep
the bad in the past and turn to a new page; let us see what
we can do in the Caspian." Mammadyarov said that if
Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan could come to an agreement re
Caspian delimitation, "the Iran Caspian problem would be
solved." He pointed out that the network of gas pipelines
already exists in the Caspian to accommodate the Turkmen
offshore gas that is near the Azerbaijan Caspian Sea border.
A good sign of a new Turkmen attitude would be if the new
Turkmen government posts an Ambassador to Baku, to fill the
position that has been vacant for the last five years.
Mammadyarov said that he himself would seek to travel to
Turkmenistan after the new government is formalized, and that
the GOAJ Ambassador in Turkmenistan has communicated
Mammadyarov's willingness to do so. (Septel reports DFM
Khalafov's follow-up request to the Ambassador that the USG
and GOAJ intensify dialogue and cooperate vis a vis
Turkmenistan).
12. (C) Mammadyarov said that he was scheduled to attend an
OIC meeting in Jeddah on February 21 that will discuss energy
issues at the Foreign Minister level.
GUAM RESOLUTION
--------------
13. (C) The Ambassador cautioned Mammadyarov about the risks
of tabling at the UN the GUAM initiative on conflicts in the
GUAM area, pointing out that once GUAM tables the text, it is
out of its control, with the possibility of the text being
turned into something antithetical to GUAM interests.
Mammadyarov said he had wanted to table the resolution now as
a "first step" that would enable him to work the issue at the
UN. In response to the Ambassador's warnings about this move
possibly backfiring, Mammadyarov said he had been expecting a
call from PDAS Bryza after the latest Minsk Group meetings in
Paris, but had not heard from him on this subject. He would
"coordinate tactics" with Bryza on next steps.
14. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Per FM Mammadyarov's request for more
information, Embassy requests the official USG position on
Russian offshore enrichment of uranium for Iran, and the
BAKU 00000240 003 OF 003
current status of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (House
Resolution 106).
DERSE