Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAKU410
2007-04-11 10:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baku
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR'S APRIL 6 MEETING WITH FOREIGN MINISTER

Tags:  PREL PHUM KDEM ENRG EPET AMGT ABLD CASC AJ 
pdf how-to read a cable
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P 111018Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BAKU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2741
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 2074
RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY 0426
RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA PRIORITY
RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS PRIORITY 0259
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BAKU 000410 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR EUR/CARC; ALSO PASS OBO, EUR-IO/EX

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM ENRG EPET AMGT ABLD CASC AJ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S APRIL 6 MEETING WITH FOREIGN MINISTER
MAMMDYAROV: IRAN, ENERGY, AND A ROUNDUP OF BILATERAL ISSUES

REF: A. BAKU 000374


B. STATE 41602

Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse for reasons 1.4 (b, d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BAKU 000410

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR EUR/CARC; ALSO PASS OBO, EUR-IO/EX

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM ENRG EPET AMGT ABLD CASC AJ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S APRIL 6 MEETING WITH FOREIGN MINISTER
MAMMDYAROV: IRAN, ENERGY, AND A ROUNDUP OF BILATERAL ISSUES

REF: A. BAKU 000374


B. STATE 41602

Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse for reasons 1.4 (b, d)


1. (C) Summary: In an April 6 meeting with the Ambassador,
Foreign Minister Mammadyarov clarified recent press rumors
that Iran closed the border with Azerbaijan in early April,
explaining that Iranian passport machines had malfunctioned
and caused a brief delay for those crossing the border. This
had been deliberately spun up by those seeking to fuel
tensions. On energy issues, Mammadyarov reported that
Azerbaijan, Turkey and possibly Georgia would meet in early
May to review gas transit issues, but he was noncommittal to
a June IEA conference in Baku. Mammadyarov said the April
visit of Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov demonstrated
that the Kazakhs are "strong and interested" in a regional
transport corridor; Mammadyarov,s planned April 18-19 visit
to Turkmenistan, however, has been postponed because Turkmen
President Berdimuhammedov plans a trip to Saudi Arabia at
that time. Following his democracy discussions in
Washington, Mammadyarov reported that Minister of Internal
Affairs (MIA) Usubov is not interested in hosting the new USG
police advisor at the MIA, proposing he work from the
Embassy; Mammadyarov also gave further background on the new
human rights commission. Mammadyarov welcomed the agenda for
our April 19 security talks, but said DFM Azimov would be
unable to participate in the CENTCOM Iraq conference. The
Ambassador updated Mammadyarov on our efforts to identify a
site for the NEC and emphasized that we must sign a
conditional lease before the end of May. She also asked for
Mammadyarov,s assistance in resolving eight outstanding
adoption cases and pressed for more information on the April

26-28 OIC conference on the media,s role in promoting
tolerance. End Summary.

Countering War-Related Rumors about Iran
--------------


2. (C) In an April 6 meeting with Foreign Minister
Mammadyarov, the Ambassador reviewed her efforts through
interviews with local media to dispel press rumors that the
US is preparing to attack Iran. Mammadyarov said there are
"lots of forces circulating information" that is inaccurate,
including through the internet, with the goal of "increasing
tensions," adding that Minister of National Security Mahmudov
seeks to identify those responsible for circulating this
false information. Mammadyarov clarified recent press rumors
that Iran had closed the border with Azerbaijan (ref A). He
explained that Iran recently installed new passport reading
devices on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border, and that some of
these devices had slowed down border traffic for two hours on
April 3. Local press quickly ran with the story and reported
that Iran had closed the border, according to the Foreign
Minister. Mammadyarov criticized local media as "immature"
and unwilling to check the facts before going to print.
Mammadyarov noted that he has not heard any updates from the
Azerbaijani ambassador posted to Tehran. The Ambassador
assured Mammadyarov that the USG is sensitive to the GOAJ's
difficult position vis-a-vis Iran. The Ambassador shared U/S
Burn's March 29 testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee as an overview of US strategy toward Iran.

Regional Energy Tidbits
--------------


3. (C) The Ambassador said EUR DAS Matthew Bryza would like
to have the first meeting of our bilateral energy security
dialogue in June in Baku. The Ambassador remarked that Bryza
also prefers an early meeting hosted by the IEA in Baku to
reassure European states who are doubting Azerbaijan's
ability to provide them with gas. Mammadyarov said he
preferred a later date to ensure the first meeting will have
"serious results." The Ambassador replied that at Energy
Ambassador Aleskerov's request, the USG is preparing a
concept paper, to be discussed with the MFA after its
completion.


4. (C) In response to the Ambassador's request for an update
on the GOAJ's attempt to secure a gas transit agreement with
Turkey, Mammadyarov said representatives from Azerbaijan and
Turkey -- with possible Georgian representation --will meet
in the beginning of May for consultations on this issue. The

BAKU 00000410 002 OF 003


Ambassador pressed Mammadyarov whether the meeting would
include a political agreement on the transit issue.
Mammadyarov suggested that while Baku and Ankara are
discussing an agreement in principle, they have not begun
talks on a specific written agreement. Mammadyarov remarked
that the issue "is a question of cost" and that Azerbaijan
does not want a "mini-Gazprom." Mammadyarov said he would
consult with Finance Minister Sharifov next week about next
steps in this process.


5. (C) On Azerbaijani discussions with Greece, Mammadyarov
said he is still waiting for an invitation from the Greek
Foreign Ministry, per his discussions with Bryza during his
visit to DC. Mammadyarov claimed he was ready to go to
Greece to discuss gas and welcomed any assistance we could
provide in pushing Athens for an invitation.


6. (C) On Kazkahstan, Mammadyarov said that Kazakh Prime
Minister Karim Massimov -- who visited Baku on April 4 --
was "strong and interested" in a South Caucasus transport
corridor, referring to gas transit and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars
(BTK) railroad. Mammadyarov cautioned, however, that the
Kazakhs are "scared to death" of Russia, perhaps because of
Nazarbayev's concerns about his political future.


7. (C) Regarding Turkmenistan, Mammadyarov complained that
Ashgabat recently changed the timing for Mammadyarov's
planned April 18-19 visit. Mammadyarov remarked that Turkmen
President Berdimuhammedov has decided to go to Saudi Arabia
for his first foreign visit, and Mammadyarov did not see a
point in going to Ashgabat if he could not meet with
Berdimuhammedov. Mammadyarov said Turkmen Foreign Minister
Meredov was a "nice guy, but cannot decide anything."
Mammadyarov said that the ball is now in Turkmenistan's court
regarding the timing for his visit, but he noted that the
trip would probably occur in May. Mammadyarov said that he
has not discussed opening an Azerbaijani embassy in
Turkmenistan with Ashgabat yet. (Septel on April 9 meeting
between the Ambassador and Deputy Foreign Minister Khalafov
provides more detail on Azerbaijan-Turkmen relations.)

Democracy Dialogue Follow-up
--------------


8. (C) Mammadyarov opened the meeting by reviewing several
follow-up steps he has taken on our bilateral democracy
agenda since returning from his March visit to Washington.
Mammayarov said he had spoken with Minister of Internal
Affairs (MIA) Usubov regarding the USG offer of additional
training courses and a proposed USG resident police advisor
based in the MIA. Usubov supported expanding the types of
courses offered, and accepted the police advisor, but was not
open to having the advisor based at the MIA, citing space
constraints. The Ambassador noted that she would follow up
with Usubov regarding the advisor proposal to see if the
spacing issue could be addressed.


9. (C) Mammadyarov said Central Election Commission (CEC)
Chair Panahov found his meetings in the US "useful."
Mammadyarov agreed on the need for the CEC to be composed of
non-partisan members and said he had suggested that Panahov
examine how Georgia's CEC is composed, since this is a
democratic model. Mammadyarov affirmed that he was following
up with this issue.


10. (C) Referring to Azerbaijan,s new National Action Plan
on Human Rights, Mammadyarov said he thought the
newly-established human rights commission fell under
Presidential Apparat Chief Ramiz Mehdiyev's authority, not
the Cabinet of Ministers. This commission will develop an
action plan to promote human rights in Azerbaijan. The
Ambassador raised the possibility of A/S Lowenkron visiting
Azerbaijan to consult with the GOAJ before the plan is
finalized as discussed in Washington. The Ambassador also
raised USG concerns regarding the collegium's (the
Azerbaijani bar association) lack of independence.


11. (C) Despite President Aliyev's stated commitment to
holding a dialogue with political parties, the Ambassador
said the Embassy has received some mixed signals. Notably,
the executive director of the pro-government New Azerbaijan
Party (YAP) Ali Ahmadov appeared to have little enthusiasm
for dialogue with other political parties. Mammadyarov

BAKU 00000410 003 OF 003


suggested that the Embassy speak with the OSCE and Mehdiyev.
On the issue of opposition politicians going to PACE,
Mammadyarov said that in his personal opinion, Musavat leader
Isa Gamber should make a public statement recognizing the
legitimacy of the Azerbaijani parliament, and said he has
discussed this with Samad Seyidov, who is the head of the
Azerbaijani PACE delegation to PACE.

New Embassy Compound
--------------


12. (C) The Ambassador noted that Presidential Aide for
Economic Affairs, Ali Asadov, has been assisting the Embassy
in its search for a suitable property. The Ambassador also
said that Mammadyarov's statement to the Secretary regarding
the GOAJ's commitment to help the USG find a suitable
property was helpful. The Ambassador emphasized that we now
need to secure conditional leases on several properties by
the end of May that will enable an inspection team to begin
its initial work. Mammadyarov remarked that he would talk
with Asadov to keep this process moving in the right
direction.

Bilateral Security Dialogue
--------------


13. (C) The Ambassador provided Mammadyarov with a draft
agenda for the April 19 dialogue, noting that security is one
of the three pillars in our bilateral relationship.
Mammadyarov welcome the agenda and stated that the dialogue
should be "very good."

Adoptions
--------------


14. (C) Ambassador raised concern about the issue of eight
pending adoptions, which appear to be caught between the
Presidential Administration and the State Committee on Women
and Children. (Note: We followed up after the meeting with
Americas desk officer Tamerlan Vahabov concerning this issue.
Vahabov promised to raise this point with Deputy Foreign
Minister Khalafov, who deals with these legal issues.)

OIC Conference on Religious Tolerance
--------------


15. (C) The Ambassador requested more details on the
conference, as the Department seeks to develop a position on
how the USG should be represented. Mammadyarov suggested
that the Ambassador follow up with Deputy Foreign Minister
Sadikov, who is responsible for the conference. Mammadyarov
also said Americas desk officer Tamerlan Vahabov could
provide us with more information.

CENTCOM Conference on Iraq
--------------


16. (C) Ambassador provided Mammadyarov with information
regarding reftel B conference on Iraq. The Ambassador
suggested Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov would be an
appropriate attendee from the Azerbaijani MFA. Mammadyarov
noted that he and Azimov will be in Brussels for
consultations on Azerbaijan's IPAP during the conference.
DERSE