DRL A/S KRAMER BATTLES WITH PRESIDENTIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 001135 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC AND DRL- DAVID KRAMER, WENDY SILVERMAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM PHUM AJ SUBJECT: DRL A/S KRAMER BATTLES WITH PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION REF: BAKU 1092 Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: On November 18 DRL A/S David Kramer and the Ambassador met with Head of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev. After A/S Kramer explained U.S. requests for more media freedom in Azerbaijan, Mehdiyev first read a detailed list of unfulfilled GOAJ expectations from the United States, including Nagorno Karabakh, 907 and Jackson Vannick, followed by a list of democratic reforms enacted by the GOAJ over the last decade. Mehdiyev repeated his criticisms of Radio Liberty and made no promises on its continued broadcasts or on the release of the jailed journalists. Mehdiyev wants more from Azerbaijan's relationship with the United States with respect to its key interests, and sees no benefit to further political reform in Azerbaijan. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor David Kramer and the Ambassador met with the Head of the Azerbaijani Presidential Apparat Ramiz Mehdiyev on November 18. Other senior members of the Apparat staff joined the meeting, including Shahin Aliyev, Fuad Aleskerov, Elnur Aslanli and Novruz Mammedov. Freedom of Press an Obstacle to U.S.-AJ Relations -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) A/S Kramer explained that freedom of the press is a major issue in U.S.- Azerbaijan relations. He explained the disappointment in Washington over the announcement of the possible ban on Radio Liberty and Voice of America from Azerbaijan's airwaves, and over the continued detention of journalists. While the United States is looking to deepen its relations with Azerbaijan, lack of press freedom could be an obstacle to this. GOAJ's List of Demands from U.S. -------------- ¶4. (C) Mehdiyev replied by stating that he appreciated Kramer speaking in an open way, and that friends should be open with each other. He read from a detailed list of talking points what Azerbaijan would like to see from its friendship with the United States. The largest problem for Azerbaijan is the continued occupation of its lands, and it would like more support from the United States on resolving the conflict. Mehdiyev also asked for a repeal of section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, to be included in the Millennium Challenge Corporation program, and to be graduated from Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions. Finally, Mehdiyev asked for an end to direct USG aid to Nagorno-Karabakh and for the United States to sell military equipment to Azerbaijan. Shahin Aliyev, head of the Presidential Administration's legal department, clarified that this would be for defensive purposes only. GOAJ's List of Democratization Steps -------------- ¶5. (C) Mehdiyev then proceeded to read from a different list of talking points, which included every step the GOAJ has taken on political reform since 2000. This included a presidential decree creating a human rights protection plan, amendments to the law on freedom of assembly, the state support program for NGOs, abolishing censorship and a new law on mass media, creating a Press Council, and a new law on access to government information. Mehdiyev also mentioned the signing in August of a concept paper on state support of the media, and work on combating corruption. U.S.-AJ Relations: Want Two-Way Street, Not Big Brother -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) Mehdiyev explained that for 70 years Azerbaijan had a big brother in the Soviet Union, and that the GOAJ does not want this type of relationship from the United States. The GOAJ chose friendship with the U.S. deliberately, and expects things in return. The friendship should enhance Azerbaijan's independence. BAKU 00001135 002 OF 002 ¶7. (C) A/S Kramer returned to the issue of foreign broadcasters, which Mehdiyev stated he had already discussed with the Ambassador (reftel). Mehdiyev explained that he was upset with some programs on Radio Liberty and did not understand why U.S. funds would be used for programs targeted against the GOAJ. A/S Kramer explained that Radio Liberty is an independent organization, and its mandate is to report objectively. Furthermore, A/S Kramer explained, all of Mehdiyev's demands of the United States are on the table, but continued problems with free media and political reform will jeopardize our ability to be responsive. Mehdiyev replied that he sees Azerbaijan's future as a democratic state, but cannot pursue more political reform until the Nagorno-Karabakh problem is resolved. COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (C) Mehdiyev was clearly prepared to deliver a direct message in this meeting: further political reform in Azerbaijan depends on USG responsiveness on issues of concern to Azerbaijan. His message was not surprising, but was much more explicit than in the past. Mehdiyev sees no inherent benefit in democratic reform, and treats it as a bargaining chip with Western countries. As the lead proponent of the argument that Azerbaijan has not seen the payoff it expected in terms of its core interests from the strategic bargain struck with the West after independence, and therefore owes the West nothing further by way of reform, Mehdiyev remains one of the main obstacles to political reform in Azerbaijan. END COMMENT ¶9. (U) Assistant Secretary Kramer has cleared this cable. DERSE