AZERBAIJAN: PRESIDENT ALIYEV ON NEC, ADOPTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000288 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2017 TAGS: ABLD AMGT CASC PREL AJ SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: PRESIDENT ALIYEV ON NEC, ADOPTION Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse, reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. In a February 27 meeting with the Ambassador, President Aliyev said that he was willing to keep working towards finding a resolution on the proposed new embassy compound at the Genetics Institute site, and indicated he was willing to help clear up the eight pending adoption cases. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) In an February 27 meeting, the Ambassador discussed NEC and adoption issues with President Aliyev. They also discussed Iran and regional energy issues, reported seperately. NEC -------------- ¶3. (C) Expressing the USG's interest in working together to bring the issue of the NEC to a positive close, the Ambassador told the President that per his suggestions USG reps had met with the Genetics Research Institute (GRI), including experts from Washington able to address issues related to mitigating environmental aspects of NEC construction. She noted that State Department policy in building a new embassy s to mitigate all possible adverse environmentalimpacts, and the USG would do whatever it could wthin the constraints of US law to address Genetics Institute concerns on this matter. She said shehad explained in detail to Presidential Advisor li Asadov the previous day the history of the Emassy's search for a new property, and the State Department's commitment to work with the GOAJ for a positive outcome on this important project. The USG took very seriously President Aliyev's generous offer of land for the NEC. The USG understands the GRI has many important missions and they are already working with the UN and with the USG on many projects. However, the GRI has no resources. Construction of the NEC could be a "win-win" for both the USG and the GOAJ, including the GRI. ¶4. (C) Agreeing that "we have to work together," on this, President Aliyev said that "he could not have imagined such a big noise" would come out of his NEC offer. He had sent Ali Asadov to talk to the GRI, but the GRI leadership was "hostile" to Asadov. An exasperated President said "I am trying to help the Institute, but they are hostile." He said that he had promised the Genetics Institute a "new building, new equipment, new cars, personal assistance if they need it, like new apartments - and we have the resources to do it," but thus far to no avail. Aliyev pointed out that in addition to his offerof assistance to the Institute, he knew the USG was able to pay for expenses related to the preservation and replanting of the flora in question in order to mitigate the effects of the move on the GRI. 5.(C) The Ambassador said Aliyev's offer to the Genetics Institute was generous, adding that having the Embassy as a neighbor in the future would be good for the Institute. Aliyev agreed, saying that the current Genetics Institute has ten hectares, four of which are proposed for the NEC and six of which "could be perfect" for the Institute. The Ambassador stressed that she was eager to work with the GOAJ so that this NEC was a "win-win" for both the USG and for the GOAJ. President Aliyev agreed, saying that if the Genetics Institute agreed to the proposals being offered him and by the USG, "it could be the leading institute in Azerbaijan and in the region." Instead, the Genetics Institute is "questioning the President's attitude toward science." He said that given how much he had offered the Genetics Institute, he in no way expected the current problem. He said he was concerned that the Genetics Institute would claim that the President was seeking to "ruin Azerbaijan's genetic fund and genetic heritage." Although he felt the charge was "ridiculous" ("as if Azerbaijan's heritage was a bunch of trees"),he was concerned that the scientists would "start a campaign, publish articles, write letters," to this effect and he "didn't want to be remembered this way." 6.(C) The Ambassador noted that we can explain to them how we can preserve plants as they are moved. Aliyev said that "a joint meeting with a presentation would help." The Ambassador said that Embassy personnel and the visiting NEC team were eager to explain to the Institute what the USG could do to meet their concerns, adding that Ali Asadov had suggested in their meeting the day before yesterday that we do so as a next step in an "experts-level meeting," which he said he would set up. She said that Asadov was out of town today, and unreachable, and hence she didn't know if such an "experts level meeting" were possible. ¶7. (C) Prefacing his comments by cracking his knuckles and muttering "If I had only known," President Aliyev said that he was "willing to keep working" to find a solution with respect to this property. He said he had sent Asadov "to the regions" but that he would be back later in the day and that an experts level meeting was the right next step. The Ambassador pointed out that the USG expert team was scheduled to return to the US on Thursday, and asked Aliyev if he thought they should stay on. He said they should stay and await a call from Asadov about the "experts-level" meeting between the NEC team and the Genetics Institute. Aliyev affirmed that such a meeting would be good, and repeated his comments that should the Institute take the deal being offered them, it could be the best such institute in the region. He also said that it is important that the USG team continue to work while the experts level meeting is being set up; the Ambassador noted that the Washington experts were to visit the GRI that afternoon at 4 to continue the technical work. The Ambassador thanked the President for his gracious offer of the NEC site, and for his advice, guidance and continued support in resolving the issue. (COMMENT: Septel will report on subsequent developments, as we follow up on the Genetics Institute. END COMMENT.) ADOPTION -------------- ¶8. (C) Noting that Azerbaijan is in the process of changing its adoption laws to conform with the Hague Convention, the Ambassador raised eight pending US adoption cases that appeared to be in limbo as Azerbaijan transitioned to a new system. She added that, according to Azerbaijani law, it appears that these eight pending cases can be completed under the old legal regime. She provided documentation on all eight cases to the President. President Aliyev responded that he would 'give instructions." DERSE