PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER WITHDRAWS OFFER ON NEC SITE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000321 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR OBO; ALSO FOR EUR DAS BRYZA, EUR-IO/EX DIRECTOR CAMPBELL E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2012 TAGS: ABLD AMGT PREL AJ SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER WITHDRAWS OFFER ON NEC SITE AT GENETICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, REAFFIRMS PRESIDENT'S COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE FREE LAND, SHOWS NEW SITES REF: BAKU 288 Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse, reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Ali Asadov, Economic Advisor to the Azerbaijani President, informed DCM March 14, that due to extensive, but ultimately unsuccessful efforts to resolve opposition to the GOAJ's offer to provide a site at the Genetics Research Institute (GRI) for the New Embassy Compound (NEC),the GOAJ reluctantly was forced to withdraw the offer of that site. However, he reaffirmed President Aliyev's personal commitment to offer - for free - comparable sites that meet the Department of State's criteria for the New Embassy Compound. He promised that the GOAJ would offer "even better sites." He also said that the GOAJ was very aware that the USG had spent substantial amounts of time, energy and resources in assessing the site at the Genetics Research Institute, and would accordingly look at ways to compensate the United States as the NEC project develops. Asadov said he would personally show DCM any new sites, all of which will have been personally vetted by the President and the GOAJ so that the "mistake" that happened in the previous offer would not be repeated. Asadov said that the President had instructed him to take charge of this issue until it reaches a successful conclusion. DCM told Asadov that this was very serious news, which he would report immediately to Washington, and he said that the way forward would likely be very difficult. At the same time, he expressed deep appreciation for the President's personal involvement and commitment on the NEC project, and his generous offer of free land for the NEC. On March 15, Asadov, accompanied by the State Property Committee Chairman and a phalanx of bureaucrats, showed DCM and Embassy team two new sites. As painful as this process has been, we believe that the President is embarrassed by the developments on the GRI site, and is sincerely committed to offering us an excellent and free site. Importantly, he has assigned one of his senior aides to bring the project to a successful conclusion. We would like to take advantage of the GOAJ's offer of free land and its interest in recouping from the GRI setback. We would like to work with OBO to find a way forward. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Ali Asadov, Economic Advisor to the Azerbaijani President, informed DCM March 14, that due to unsuccessful efforts to resolve domestic opposition to the offer to provide a site at the Genetics Research Institute, the GOAJ very reluctantly was forced to withdraw that offer. DCM asked Asadov if his statement was the official notification from the GOAJ. He said yes, that he had met with President Aliyev that same day on this matter, and this represented the official word. Asadov said that the Genetics Research Institute issued a final statement opposing the transfer of the property for the NEC site on March 12. However, he reaffirmed the President's personal commitment to offer - for free - an excellent site for the New Embassy Compound. Asadov promised that the GOAJ would offer "even better sites." He also said that the GOAJ was very aware that the USG had spent substantial amounts of time, energy and resources in assessing the site at the Genetics Research Institute, and would accordingly look at ways to compensate the United States as the NEC project develops. Asadov said he would personally show DCM any new sites, all of which will have been personally vetted by the President and the GOAJ so that the mistake that happened in the previous offer would not be repeated. Asadov said that the President had instructed him to take charge of this issue until it reaches a successful conclusion. DCM told Asadov that this was very serious news, which he would report immediately to Washington, and he said that the way forward would likely be very difficult. At the same time, he expressed deep appreciation for the President's personal involvement and commitment on the NEC project, and his generous offer of free land for the NEC. ¶3. (C) Asadov said the GOAJ has reviewed a listing of 8 possible properties and that the President himself has selected the two best properties to offer for the US Embassy site. DCM emphasized that, given the many criteria for an appropriate NEC site, we would like to see the entire list of eight properties. Asadov said that would be no problem. DCM also asked whether official offers of sites would come through Asadov or through Kerem Hassanov, the Chairman of the State Property Committee. Asadov said that Hassanov was a government official and would continue to be involved on matters involving his committee, but that Asadov would make all the offers himself. Asadov stated repeatedly that the problems that occurred with the GRI offer would not happen again. March 15 Asadov, accompanied by the State Property Committee Chairman and a phalanx of bureaucrats, showed DCM and Embassy team two new sites. (Note: We will forward detailed information about these sites directly to OBO for its reference.) ¶4. (C) COMMENT: Embassy pressed at every level, from the President down (see reftel),to keep the Genetics Research Institute site on track for the NEC. For his part, President Aliyev, by several accounts, went to great lengths to overcome opposition to the GRI site offer, including promising a new building, equipment and funds for the Genetics Research Institute so that it would be the best institute of its kind "in the region." However, it is clear that the President was under tremendous political pressure - extending far beyond the objections of scientists in the National Academy of Sciences - to withdraw this offer. We believe that the presidential offer of free land for the NEC merits our continued engagement and that the GOAJ's obvious concern to recoup successfully from the GRI development and hands-on management from the President's office will spur efforts to bring this to conclusion. Over the next week or so, we will be able to gauge whether the President's commitment translates into excellent and concrete offers, and quick provision of a conditional lease. Given the President's personal commitment and their embarrassment for having had to withdraw the GRI offer, we may now, ironically, be in the best position ever to impose whatever conditions and demands we feel necessary regarding the new site. DCM made clear to Asadov and State Property Committee Chair March 15, for example, that the starting point/starting point for even considering a new site would be a signed conditional lease on every prospective property from the GOAJ. Both Asadov and the State Property Committee Chair said that would be no problem. They appear to be making every effort to meet our needs. End comment. SUMMARY OF RECENT MEETINGS ON GRI SITE ¶5. (SBU) The Embassy hosted the OBO expert team February 21-March 2, led by OBO Project Manager Tom Swartz, to follow up on the successful evaluation in fall 2006 of the property offered as a gift to the USG by the GOAJ on the site Genetics Research Institute, one of three potential sites offered. Although the GOAJ did not sign a conditional lease in advance of the visit, the President of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) provided the Ambassador with a letter granting access to the site for the OBO team. The GRI Director strongly voiced his opposition to the NEC project, but the team was able to make multiple visits to the site, and was able to accomplish the main goals of its visit to Azerbaijan, both on- and off-site. On February 23, after an initial meeting with the NAS President and the GRI Director, the OBO core team, accompanied by DCM, Management Officer and Public Affairs Officer, visited the GRI site. GRI Director provided a tour of the entire area, including the GRI grounds not offered as part of the site, then met the team in his office. OBO team members made several more visits to the site. On March 1, Swartz and his core team gave an out-brief to the NAS President and the GRI Director. For the first time, NAS President and GRI Director showed apparent acceptance of the GOAJ decision, and a willingness to engage constructively in identifying key areas of concern about the flora on the NEC site, and steps that should be taken to protect the flora, as well as to support the further development of the GRI. Both GRI Director and NAS President agreed that a presidential decree, addressing the NEC issue but in the context of GOAJ commitments to supporting the GRI's further development, would be extremely helpful; they asked us to convey this message to the GOAJ. (Note: When DCM informed Asadov March 9, Asadov was annoyed, saying that in fact he had offered to the NAS and GRI that the GOAJ issue a broad presidential decree covering government support for the scientific community in general, with specific reference to the GRI.) ¶6. (C) On February 26, the Ambassador, accompanied by OBO Project Manager Tom Swartz and her Embassy team, met with Asadov and Kerem Hassanov, Chairman, State Committee for the Management of State Property. (Note: According to Asadov, President Aliyev specifically asked him to meet directly with the Ambassador to discuss the NEC issue.) The Ambassador opened the meeting with a statement affirming the positive strategic relationship between the United States and Azerbaijan, as confirmed by recent high-level visits, President Aliyev's own statements, and Secretary Rice's recent letter affirming the US interest in strengthening the US partnership with Azerbaijan. She cited President Aliyev's offer of a free site as an appropriate and much-appreciated symbol of the good relationship between our countries. In fact, she noted, the NEC is needed not only for reasons of improved security, but because the Embassy has grown so rapidly in response to the developing partnership between our two countries. ¶7. (C) This offer was particularly welcome, she added, because the USG has been looking for a NEC site since 2003 and has now examined over 50 sites, brought in four different OBO teams and spent almost $800,000 in the search. However, there is competition for limited funds and Washington may well turn its attention elsewhere if if we are unable to move ahead on the GRI site. The Ambassador expressed appreciation for the important research carried out by the GRI and our sympathy for the impact we might have by building on a portion of its land. She underscored, however, that the USG would do everything legally possible to mitigate any problems the NEC construction might cause, pointing out that the United States also has a strong interest in environmental preservation, biodiversity and plant research. The Ambassador summarized her statement by stating that the US wants to make the construction of the NEC positive for the United States, the GOAJ and the GRI, and listed some of the things that the OBO team indicated we might be able to do: relocate the water system; relocate the heating plant; move top soil and plants; provide improved access and roads; and bring in US scientists to work with GRI staff to make sure that everything was properly done to minimize the impact on the GRI,s ongoing research efforts. Once again, she emphasized that given budgetary deadlines, time is of the essence in moving to finalize agreement on the new NEC site. Tom Swartz added that he and his team were here to develop a project budget and would be pleased to meet with GRI staff to determine what needed to be done to mitigate the impact of NEC construction. He would then incorporate those costs into the NEC budget. ¶8. (C) Ali Asadov thanked the Ambassador for her statement and said that President Aliyev had received the Ambassador's February 19 letter and had instructed him to resolve the issue. He asked if the Ambassador was willing to consider other locations (mentioning in particular an 11-hectare site, no further description given),or whether the United States is only interested in the GRI site. The Ambassador replied that it would be very difficult to convince Washington to look at yet more sites given the long and unsuccessful history of our search for a suitable site in Azerbaijan and that we are hoping the GOAJ will continue to work with us on the GRI property. Asadov said that he would proceed to work only on the GRI site. He added, however, that there were problems with the site, but that they were internal and would need to be worked out by the GOAJ. The Ambassador noted that we had met with the GRI and the National Academy of Sciences to hear their concerns. She added that we also informed them that we want to be good neighbors with GRI and are prepared to do everything legally possible to make construction of the NEC a positive experience for them. ¶9. (C) The meeting broke up briefly so Asadov could take a call from President Aliyev. Afterwards, Asadov explained that he had told the President of our wish to continue with the acquisition of the GRI site. The President had expressed his worries that the opposition of the GRI and the academic community would result in negative publicity, but was willing to proceed in any case. Asadov also expressed personal worries about negative publicity. (Note: Since this meeting, at least four articles have appeared in the Azerbaijani press presenting the GRI side of the story, but without strong criticism of the USG.) The Ambassador repeated our interest in working cooperatively with the GOAJ to reach a positive outcome and get the positive message out to the public. Asadov promised to inspect the property later the same day in order to provide President Aliyev with more precise information. He promised to arrange a meeting between the OBO team and the GRI staff by February 28 or March 1. The meeting took place March 1. ¶10. (C) As a follow-up to this meeting, the Embassy NEC team, led by DCM, met with Asadov on March 5 and March 9. In both meetings, Asadov strongly pressed for the USG to look at other properties, and emphasized the difficulties in managing opposition by the Azerbaijani scientific community. Asked if this meant the GRI site was officially off the table, Asadov stopped short of saying that the GOAJ was withdrawing its offer of the GRI site, and agreed to proceed on parallel tracks, moving ahead on the GRI site, while agreeing to look at other sites offered by the GOAJ that meet our requirements. DCM emphasized that even as we would look at other sites, as requested by GOAJ, the consequences for the NEC project if the GRI site were withdrawn, could be serious. In the March 9 meeting, Asadov outlined the various assurances the GOAJ had given the GRI, including the offer of additional land on an adjacent site, refurbished or new facilities, and equipment. (Note: Asadov was both annoyed and bemused when DCM pointed out that the GRI Director had suggested that we build the NEC on this adjacent property, which is not large enough for a NEC, and is any case not property of the Institute.) Asadov also said in exasperation on March 9 that he himself is unable to comprehend what is so special in scientific terms about the land being offered to the USG, showing snapshots of the property. Separately, the DCM and Embassy team have met three times with the President of the National Academy of Sciences President and the Director of the Genetics Research Institute, and a fourth time with the GRI Director at the Institute itself. OBO representatives attended two of those meetings. ¶11. (C) The OBO expert team visit overall went well, and the March 1 meeting with the NAS President and GRI Director seemed to indicate a positive way forward. In the Ambassador's February 27 meeting with President Aliyev (ref A) he indicated clearly his willingness to proceed on the GRI site, working in cooperation with the USG to address GRI concerns and secure a positive outcome for all sides. In other conversations, with Minister of Economic Development Heydar Babayev on March 10 and Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov on March 9, both advised that the USG should continue to work on the GRI site, saying GRI opposition is aimed at securing more "grants" or subsidies in exchange for the property they will relinquish. The February 26 meeting with Asadov had reaffirmed the GOAJ and President Aliyev,s personal commitment to provide the GRI site for the NEC project, but highlighted the GRI,s continuing opposition to the plans, and GOAJ nervousness about fall-out from the decision. The GOAJ purported to be worried that the GRI and the academic community will protest and use the pro-opposition media to criticize the decision, but it seems clear that powerful political interests are opposed to the GOAJ's providing this site. DERSE DERSE