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
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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
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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