SPECIAL ENVOY SADA CUMBER,S VISIT TO AZERBAIJAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BAKU 001130 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KISL IR AJ SUBJECT: SPECIAL ENVOY SADA CUMBER,S VISIT TO AZERBAIJAN BAKU 00001130 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse for reasons 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (C) Summary: On 21-22 November, U.S. Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Sada Cumber met with Azerbaijan's envoy to the OIC Deputy Foreign Minister (DFM) Vagif Sadikhov. The DFM was receptive to Special Envoy Cumber,s call for increased Azerbaijani leadership both within the OIC and within the Muslim world,but he stressed the need for incremental change anda long-term strategy for dealing with the right-eaning theocratic influence. The DFM touted Azerbaijan,s previous record in the OIC and expressed confidence in Azerbaijan,s future influence in the organization. In addition to this meeting, Special Envoy Cumber met with the lawyer and head imam of the Abu Bakr mosque (reported separately) and the head of the Caucasus Muslim Board (CMB) Sheikh Allashukhur Pashazade. End Summary. Meeting with the DFM - Azerbaijan,s role in the OIC -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) The DFM discussed the importance of OIC membership to Azerbaijan. He noted that most of the countries that support Azerbaijan are OIC members, and the DFM expected that trend to continue. The DFM stated that Azerbaijan had one foot in Europe and one foot in Asia, and he likened Azerbaijan to a bridge, as well as a bridge-builder, ensuring two-way movement of people and ideas. He stated that from the OIC, Azerbaijan wants a powerful structure that would be useful for member countries. The DFM also categorized member-nations of the OIC into three groups: Arab, African, and Central Asian, placing Azerbaijan into the Central Asian category. DFM also noted that the agendas of the countries from these three groups are quite different. Incremental Change -------------- ¶3. (C) Special Envoy Cumber posed the following question: "Can Central Asia, given its secular tradition and educated population, be a leader in the OIC to prevent right-wing theocracies from exerting control?" The DFM emphasized that while he agreed with Special Envoy Cumber,s assessment of the situation, change must come incrementally. DFM shared concern about the threat from theocracies, and he highlighted Saudi Arabia and Iran as "bad influences." DFM assessed that these two countries want to be seen as "tough guys" and, in the case of Iran, DFM continued that the obstacles they pose are not necessarily of a principled nature. The DFM underscored the contributions of Azerbaijan to the OIC, indicating that, in some cases, Azerbaijani support to the OIC exceeds even that of Turkey. In the context of the agenda presented by Special Envoy Cumber, the DFM supposed that movement on issues such as gender rights or science and technology development could occur quickly. As it related to hampering theocratic influence in the OIC, however, the DFM concluded that a comprehensive strategy for dealing with those issues will need to be developed. Similarly, he used the issue of competing theocratic ideologies to bolster the stance that the GOAJ must remain vigilant with respect to Islamic extremism while still allowing for freedom of religion. Lukewarm reaction to financial proposals -------------- ¶4. (C) Special Envoy Cumber detailed his proposal to have the USG help build 25 hospitals and 25 universities in the Muslim world, as well as to take funds from various Muslim countries and corporate donors to establish digital libraries headquartered in Karachi and Alexandria. The DFM,s only response to these proposals was that Muslims of a low economic base will be overwhelmed by the sheer size of the numbers presented, and they may feel as though they are being bought. He suggested trying to find a different way to present these proposals to make them more effective. Abu Bakr mosque, Kosovo, Minsk Group, and 907 -------------- BAKU 00001130 002.2 OF 003 ¶5. (C) Regarding the closing of the Abu Bakr mosque, the DFM noted simply that he was not fully apprised of the situation. Regarding Kosovo, the DFM stated that the GOAJ took a strong position on Kosovo, and it was a question of principle rather than feelings about the Kosovar populace. He continued that the GOAJ was still digesting the Russian-Georgian war and its impact. Azerbaijan was not encouraged by the war, and the DFM expressed concern with the French-led delegation shaking hands with Russian interlocutors while people were dying from "Russian bombs." While not elaborating, the FM simply said that the GOAJ,s analysis of the war would affect their position on Kosovo. Finally, in the subsequent round-table discussion with diplomats and scholars at the Azerbaijani Diplomatic Academy, the DFM noted that U.S. assistance within the framework of the Minsk Group might help promote USG partnership with OIC; the DFM also added that it was the GOAJ,s preference to bring Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act to an end. Additional meetings and roundtable discussions -------------- - ¶6. (C) On 20 November, Special Envoy Cumber met with Sheikh Pashazade, head of the CMB, at the Sheikh,s mansion-like residence. The Sheikh discussed the idea to create a Muslim Advisory Board to the United Nations, an international interreligious dialogue to be held in Baku next year, and the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. That same evening, noted religious scholars attended a dinner with Special Envoy Cumber and Ambassador Derse. The group discussed the declining state of education as well as corruption in education in the former Soviet Union. While the GOAJ has built schools and helped to improve the system of education, the sale of diplomas is a widespread example of egregious corruption which lowers the level of education and invites radical Islamic influence. On 21 November, Special Envoy Cumber participated in a roundtable discussion at Khazar University and did a series of press interviews at the American Center. Summary of Media Reaction -------------- ¶7. (U) Press coverage of Special Envoy Cumber,s visit was widespread, both in government and opposition media. Most media highlighted the Special Envoy,s praise for Azerbaijan,s tradition of tolerance. Radio Liberty played its interview with Special Envoy Cumber during its peak morning drive-time program; in that interview the Ambassador highlighted President Bush,s commitment to encouraging cross-cultural dialogues and pushed back on characterizations that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could be seen as anti-Islam conflicts. As several reporters posed questions about possible roles for the OIC in resolving the N-K conflict, the press also played prominently Special Envoy Cumber,s comments that a solution should be found via peaceful talks, rather than war. Public TV,s Islam and Democracy program, supported by a DRL grant, and Karvan, ANS,s magazine targeted at practicing Muslims, will both carry interviews in the coming days. COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (C) In response to Special Envoy Cumber,s call for Azerbaijan to plan a strong role in promoting tolerance, the DFM stressed open and constructive dialogue and encouraged incremental change to the right-leaning, theocratic influences currently in the OIC. The DFM was also lukewarm to some of the Special Envoy,s financial proposals regarding ways to improve the economy and level of education in the Muslim world. Additionally, he used the notion of USG-OIC cooperation to promote the enhanced U.S. role in the Minsk group and to call for the removal of 907. Nonetheless, the DFM espoused Azerbaijan,s commitment to the OIC as well as confidence that, in spite of Azerbaijan,s small size, it has and will continue to play an influential role in the OIC. End Comment. ¶9. Ambassador Cumber did not have an opportunity to review this message. BAKU 00001130 003.2 OF 003 DERSE