"FRIENDS OF AZERBAIJAN" DEMARCHE PRESIDENTIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 BAKU 000758 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, DRL E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM PTER IR AJ SUBJECT: "FRIENDS OF AZERBAIJAN" DEMARCHE PRESIDENTIAL CHIEF OF STAFF ON MEDIA FREEDOM REF: BAKU 753 BAKU 00000758 001.2 OF 004 Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse per 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) Summary: The "Friends of Azerbaijan," an informal grouping of like-minded OSCE member states, the OSCE and the Council of Europe (COE),demarched Presidential Chief of Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev on media issues June 14. Reaffirming Azerbaijan's commitment to democracy, Mehdiyev said the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was Azerbaijan's biggest impediment to democratic reform. Echoing President Aliyev's comments after the June 10 St. Petersburg summit (ref), Mehdiyev derided the OSCE Minsk Group peace process as "useless" and called on the "big powers" to impose a solution on Armenia. Mehdiyev also alleged that jailed editor Eynulla Fatullayev was an "Iranian and Armenian spy," handing over a document that he implied linked Fatullayev to Iranian radicals seeking to destabilize Azerbaijan. Saying that he wanted to work with the international community to improve the media situation, Mehdiyev hinted that President Aliyev could pardon some of the imprisoned journalists on Azerbaijan Media Day (July 22),and offered to create a working group with the OSCE and COE, and the U.S. and other interested embassies to create an action plan to improve the media climate. We will take Mehdiyev up on this offer. End summary. ¶2. (C) The "Friends of Azerbaijan," an informal grouping of like-minded OSCE member states, the OSCE Mission in Baku, and the Council of Europe Representative, demarched Presidential Chief of Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev June 14 on Azerbaijan's deteriorating media situation. The U.S. organized the meeting and was represented by Ambassador Derse and Pol/Econ Chief (notetaker). Chiefs of Mission from Germany, Greece, Turkey, Norway, the OSCE and the Council of Europe also attended; France and the UK were represented at the DCM level. -------------- FRIENDS OF AZERBAIJAN DEMARCHE -------------- ¶3. (C) Emphasizing that a free and independent press is essential to any country's democratic development, the "Friends of Azerbaijan" expressed their deep concern over the deteriorating media situation and noted that attacks, criminal cases, and pressure against journalists impact their governments' ability to develop stronger partnerships with the GOAJ. They urged the GOAJ to vigorously investigate and prosecute those responsible for attacks on journalists (including inappropriate force used to break up a June 14 protest by several prominent editors) and asked for regular updates on these cases. They also urged the GOAJ to impose an immediate moratorium on criminal libel cases; to decriminalize libel; and to set up an alternative dispute mechanism to resolve legitimate libel complaints. They urged the GOAJ to create the political space necessary for journalists to do their jobs, and to immediately pardon and release from prison five journalists convicted for practicing their profession. They urged the GOAJ to establish a regular dialogue with journalists and work with them to address the full range of problems in the media environment; they also urged the GOAJ to ensure freedom of expression was extended to the internet. The "Friends of Azerbaijan" reaffirmed their commitment to helping Azerbaijan achieve its goal of becoming a strong, vibrant democracy that is fully integrated into Euro-Atlantic structure, noting that they are supporting media freedom through ongoing programs to train journalists in the responsible, ethical practice of their profession. -------------- MEHDIYEV'S RESPONSE -------------- ¶4. (C) Mehdiyev thanked the group for its suggestions, noting that he highly valued this format and welcomed frank exchanges. He stated that the Azerbaijani Government had "no interest in arresting or intimidating journalists," adding that "it is not our policy" to do so. However, when individual Azerbaijani citizens feel insulted, they have the right to take their complaints to court. Mehdiyev said that, BAKU 00000758 002.2 OF 004 in recent years, the Azerbaijani Government institutions for the most part have not filed criminal libel charges; when they have done so, it is only because they "feel insulted to an intolerable degree." (Note: Minister of Interior Usubbov continues to file numerous criminal libel suits, as does MP -- and uncle of the President -- Jalal Aliyev.) ¶5. (C) "I can assure you that Azerbaijan's policy is to build a democratic society," Mehdiyev said. "All of our actions must be taken in accordance with this." However, Azerbaijan is in a transition phase that "cannot last indefinitely." Mehdiyev expects that this transition phase will end sometime over the next five to 12 years; "we will have either a democratic or an authoritarian state at the end of this period." Pointing to recent statements by President Aliyev, Mehdiyev said that the GOAJ's main policy is to build a democratic society and liberalize Azerbaijan's economy. -------------- -------------- NK AS OBSTACLE TO DEMOCRACY; MINSK GROUP "USELESS" -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) Mehdiyev said that the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) conflict is the principle impediment to Azerbaijan's democratic development. He appealed to the assembled Ambassadors to urge their governments to redouble their efforts to resolve the NK conflict. The Minsk Group's efforts, Mehdiyev said, are "futile." "The superpowers should put conditions on Armenia to resolve the conflict. Armenia is a small state that is playing a joke on the superpowers," Mehdiyev continued. He complained that Armenia's recent parliamentary elections were "problematic," yet the international community deemed them to be in line with international standards. "We don't see any serious support; we don't feel comfortable that the international community will help us solve Nagorno-Karabakh. The Minsk Group talks are useless to Azerbaijan, and the Saint Petersburg talks were not useful." Repeating that Armenia is "cheating the big powers," Mehdiyev again said that resolution of the NK conflict will speed up the democratic process in Azerbaijan. (Comment: Mehdiyev echoed President Aliyev's strong comments with respect to the Minsk Group process after the June 10 St. Petersburg meeting, reftel.) -------------- IT'S THE JOURNALISTS' FAULT -------------- ¶7. (C) Turning to the state of media freedom, Mehdiyev repeated that Azerbaijan is building a democratic society; all structures, therefore, "should be in line with democratic principles." Although Azerbaijan is undergoing rapid growth, the same cannot be said for the development of Azerbaijan's media. "We need to do more work with the radical opposition media to bring it to a level that meets democratic standards," Mehdiyev said. Noting that western embassies meet regularly with opposition media "and give financial assistance to opposition media," Mehdiyev said that "this international support to the opposition media is not giving any results." Mehdiyev recognized that "criticism is a requirement of democracy" and heads of public agencies should be criticized. However, he said that articles published in the "radical opposition media" do not meet the level of journalism required in a democratic society. -------------- FATULLAYEV AN IRANIAN SPY? -------------- ¶8. (C) Noting that the "Friends of Azerbaijan" had raised the case of imprisoned Realniy Azerbaijan editor Eynulla Fatullayev, Mehdiyev said there are "very serious facts and evidence" in this case, indicating that Fatullayev is an "Iranian and Armenian spy who calls himself a journalist." What should Azerbaijan do in this case, Mehdiyev asked, be silent and accept what Fatullayev is doing? There are "radical groups working in Azerbaijan," yet the international community supports Fatullayev. "If journalists have a journalists' ID card, does that mean they can violate the constitution?" Mehdiyev asked. As he told Ambassador Derse BAKU 00000758 003.2 OF 004 during their last meeting, "radical Iranian intelligence agents" had been trying to destabilize Azerbaijan. Mehdiyev said he had evidence linking this group to the media. Reading from what he described as an Iranian document, Mehdiyev said Iranian security forces had instructed Iranian religious groups to use the media to foment dissent in Azerbaijan. Handing this document to Ambassador Derse, Mehdiyev said journalists are imprisoned not because they are journalists but because they have committed crimes. Although official media "work within the guidelines," some independent media outlets are "mouthpieces" for radical Islamic organizations or other special interests, such as Russia. (Note: We are translating this document and will provide further information septel.) -------------- WORKING GROUP -------------- ¶9. (C) Telling the group that "we want to work with you to solve these problems," Mehdiyev said "we need to develop an action plan to bring the media into line." The goal, Mehdiyev continued, should be to "make the radical media into the democratic media." He suggested that the GOAJ could work with the international community to develop a code of conduct for journalists. Noting that July 22 is Azerbaijan's Media Day, Mehdiyev said that a pardon might be issued to some journalists around that date. Cautioning that this information "is for you, not others," Mehdiyev indicated that he would ask President Aliyev to issue a pardon decree on Media Day. Mehdiyev said he also would like to encourage journalists "to join the right way." ¶10. (C) Speaking on behalf of the "Friends of Azerbaijan," Ambassador Derse welcomed Mehdiyev's proposal, adding that it seemed to be the basis for a constructive way forward. As Mehdiyev noted, the international community and Azerbaijan have to work together to solve this problem. The international community can help the media develop and professionalize, yet the media also needs the political space and democratic framework to flourish and grow. The Ambassador said that a presidential pardon for the imprisoned journalists would be a strong signal of the Azerbaijani Government's commitment to media freedom. She urged the Azerbaijani Government to put aside criminal sanctions for libel and to develop an alternative dispute resolution mechanism; a GOAJ call for a moratorium on criminal libel cases while this alternative dispute mechanism is being developed also would be a strong signal of support for the press. Noting that Western governments also are struggling with the need to balance counter-terrorism measures with civil liberties, she urged the GOAJ to develop appropriate legal mechanisms to address terrorism issues. The Ambassador also urged the GOAJ to open a dialogue with the press on these issues and offered the international community's assistance in supporting that dialogue. ¶11. (C) Mehdiyev suggested that the GOAJ form a working group with the international community to develop a "more constructive approach" to media issues, including an action plan. Mehdiyev invited the OSCE and the Council of Europe to lead the group, and the U.S. and any other interested embassies to participate. Mehdiyev said that Presidential Advisor for Political and Social Issues Ali Hassanov would lead the GOAJ's participation in this new media working group and agreed it would be desirable to have concrete results by July 22, Azerbaijan's Media Day. Mehdiyev said the "Friends of Azerbaijan" should consider this as a first step; we can develop and implement concrete actions. However, decriminalization of libel "can be done later; it should not be a goal in and of itself." The Ambassador suggested that this new working group could study the libel issue and develop recommendations for alternate dispute mechanisms; Mehdiyev agreed that was an appropriate topic for the working group. -------------- COMMENT AND NEXT STEPS -------------- BAKU 00000758 004.2 OF 004 ¶12. (C) Given President Aliyev's recent, hardline comments on the media (septels),Mehdiyev's willingness to open a dialogue with the international community on media freedom was a welcome surprise. This "Friends of Azerbaijan" meeting -- which we had been requesting for several weeks -- took place only after the Ambassador appealed to President Aliyev to press Mehdiyev to receive the group, as the international community and the GOAJ needed to begin a dialogue on the media situation. We consider Mehdiyev (and presumably the President's) positive response to be a hopeful sign and will take Mehdiyev up on his offer to convene this working group as soon as possible. We will push for concrete GOAJ commitments on all the points included in para 3. ¶13. (C) Mehdiyev's continued insistence that Azerbaijan's democratic development is affected by failure to resolve the NK conflict and Azerbaijan's dangerous geopolitical situation underscores the difficulties in advancing democratic reform in Azerbaijan. There is no question that Azerbaijan faces real challenges with respect to terrorism and its neighbors, which could have an impact here. However, Mehdiyev also uses these arguments regularly to push back on any criticism of Azerbaijan's democratic record. He remains unconvinced that democratic reform will enhance Azerbaijan's stability and international standing. Regular dialogue and engagement remain essential to make progress on democratic reform. DERSE