A WINDOW INTO PRESIDENT ALIYEV'S DACHA

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000827

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC AND INR/B

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL AJ
SUBJECT: A WINDOW INTO PRESIDENT ALIYEV'S DACHA


Classified By: Charge Donald Lu for reasons 1.4 (b, d).


1. (C) While visiting Baku June 17-19 for the GUAM summit,
EUR DAS David Kramer attended a luncheon hosted by President
Aliyev at his beach-front dacha in a Baku suburb. Aliyev
hosted the luncheon for GUAM summit delegation heads,
including the presidents from Georgia (and his wife) and
Ukraine, the Prime Minister from Moldova, and summit
observers (DAS Kramer, Lithuanian President Adamkus, the
Bulgarian Vice President, and Estonian and Latvian
Representatives, as well as the GUAM Secretary
Chechelashvili). DAS Kramer's attendance and observations at
this event provided an interesting optic into President
Aliyev's role as host.


2. (C) A luxurious bus rushed Kramer and party attendees
from downtown Baku to Aliyev's dacha in the northern Baku
suburb of Mardakan. (NOTE: This presidential dacha was
built by former President Heydar Aliyev in 1981 and was
renovated this year. Current President Aliyev was clearly
proud of the accommodations, describing it for his guests.
The local taxi-driver rumor mill asserts that Ilham Aliyev is
very popular among local residents in Mardakan. Prior to
assuming the presidency and while conducting business in
Russia, Ilham reportedly assisted many local Mardakan
businessmen in establishing their business interests in
Russia. One driver told us that Ilham sometimes drives
himself in Mardakan -- with limited or no security -- because
of his positive reputation among local Mardakan residents.
END NOTE.) The bus was decked out with individual TV
monitors and plush seats, and sped toward the Presidential
dacha through roads that were completely cleared of vehicle
traffic.


3. (C) Guests were greeted by President Aliyev and First
Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and a nearly four-hour feast ensued.
Guests were treated to multiple courses, with plenty of
caviar, sturgeon, and wine, interspersed with frequent
vodka/wine toasts. The dacha was extravagant and
overwhelming in terms of its decor and size. For example,
there were several underground saunas and an enormous indoor
swimming pool. An indoor fountain and gold trimming
throughout underscored the extravagance of the dacha. The
decor was abruptly modern (and reportedly had been
redecorated by the same French designer currently renovating
the Presidential Apparat). The view of the Caspian was
stunning. President Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva appeared
comfortable and in their element, appearing to relish the
opportunity to impress their guests. Following the sumptuous
lunch, guests were bussed to a "tearoom," where guests were
offered much more than tea. There was another enormous
swimming pool, this one outside, and plenty of desserts and
drink.


4. (C) Both Lithuanian President Adamkus and his wife
confided to Kramer their discomfort (which Kramer completely
shared) with the ostentatious display and opulence. "I would
be thrown out of office if I had something like this in
Vilnius," Adamkus whispered to Kramer. There appeared to be
an eerie sense of disconnect between President Aliyev's
personal, private residence and the socioeconomic conditions
for average Baku residents.

Comment
--------------


5. (C) The above description is only one anecdotal window
into Aliyev's personal life, but it rings true based on other
reports of Aliyev's abundant wealth. It is unclear whether
Aliyev understands or is concerned with the sharp contrast
between his life and that of average Azerbaijani citizens,
many of whom are struggling with the macroeconomic effects of
Azerbaijan's growing energy income.


6. (U) DAS Kramer cleared this message.
LU