Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAKU146
2008-02-15 13:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baku
Cable title:
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: AZERBAIJANI REACTION TO
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHKB #0146 0461318 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 151318Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY BAKU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4786 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 2649 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0478 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 0821 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0270
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000146
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2018
TAGS: PREL PBTS GG RU YI AJ
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: AZERBAIJANI REACTION TO
POSSIBLE RUSSIAN RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO
REF: A. STATE 14840
B. BAKU 129
Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Joan Polaschik per 1.4 (b,d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000146
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2018
TAGS: PREL PBTS GG RU YI AJ
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: AZERBAIJANI REACTION TO
POSSIBLE RUSSIAN RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO
REF: A. STATE 14840
B. BAKU 129
Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Joan Polaschik per 1.4 (b,d).
1. (C) DCM delivered ref a points regarding possible Russian
recognition of Abkhazia in a February 15 meeting with Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs Khalaf Khalafov. Noting that
Georgia is a neighbor with whom the GOAJ maintains close
cooperation on a number of areas of mutual, strategic
interest, Khalafov said Azerbaijan does not intend to
recognize Abkhazia.
2. (C) Khalafov asked why the United States was not making a
similar demarche urging states not to recognize the so-called
"Nagorno Karabakh Republic." He noted that Foreign Minister
Mammadyarov had requested that the U.S. issue a statement
indicating that Kosovo's independence will not be considered
a precedent for unresolved conflicts in the Caucasus and
Moldova (ref b). Azerbaijan is a friend and partner of the
United States, Khalafov continued, and is working closely
with the U.S. to advance our shared interests. A strong U.S.
statement indicating that Kosovo will not set a precedent for
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is extremely important for
Azerbaijan's national interests. He added that the EU, OSCE
and UN all must state clearly that Kosovo is not a precedent
for Nagorno Karabakh, "otherwise there could be negative
repercussions for the peace process." The DCM responded that
U.S. policy clearly states that we do not consider Kosovo's
independence as a precedent for other conflicts. Moreover,
our policy regarding the so-called "Nagorno Karabakh
Republic" is clear: we do not recognize that entity.
Pol/Econ Chief noted that the Embassy had conveyed
Mammadyarov's request to Washington.
3. (C) Comment: Based on our discussions with Mammadyarov
and Khalafov, it is clear the GOAJ is considering a strong
response to Kosovo's independence. The GOAJ is deeply
worried that Kosovo's independence will set off a chain
reaction that coQd affect Nagorno Karabakh's international
status and disrupt the OSCE Minsk Group peace process. For
this reason, the GOAJ is unlikely to recognize Kosovo's
independence and also is unlikely to recognize Abkhazia. We
will continue to underscore in our public and private
comments that Kosovo will not set a precedent for other
conflicts. We urge the Department to consider issuing a
public statement that makes this point.
DERSE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2018
TAGS: PREL PBTS GG RU YI AJ
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: AZERBAIJANI REACTION TO
POSSIBLE RUSSIAN RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO
REF: A. STATE 14840
B. BAKU 129
Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Joan Polaschik per 1.4 (b,d).
1. (C) DCM delivered ref a points regarding possible Russian
recognition of Abkhazia in a February 15 meeting with Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs Khalaf Khalafov. Noting that
Georgia is a neighbor with whom the GOAJ maintains close
cooperation on a number of areas of mutual, strategic
interest, Khalafov said Azerbaijan does not intend to
recognize Abkhazia.
2. (C) Khalafov asked why the United States was not making a
similar demarche urging states not to recognize the so-called
"Nagorno Karabakh Republic." He noted that Foreign Minister
Mammadyarov had requested that the U.S. issue a statement
indicating that Kosovo's independence will not be considered
a precedent for unresolved conflicts in the Caucasus and
Moldova (ref b). Azerbaijan is a friend and partner of the
United States, Khalafov continued, and is working closely
with the U.S. to advance our shared interests. A strong U.S.
statement indicating that Kosovo will not set a precedent for
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is extremely important for
Azerbaijan's national interests. He added that the EU, OSCE
and UN all must state clearly that Kosovo is not a precedent
for Nagorno Karabakh, "otherwise there could be negative
repercussions for the peace process." The DCM responded that
U.S. policy clearly states that we do not consider Kosovo's
independence as a precedent for other conflicts. Moreover,
our policy regarding the so-called "Nagorno Karabakh
Republic" is clear: we do not recognize that entity.
Pol/Econ Chief noted that the Embassy had conveyed
Mammadyarov's request to Washington.
3. (C) Comment: Based on our discussions with Mammadyarov
and Khalafov, it is clear the GOAJ is considering a strong
response to Kosovo's independence. The GOAJ is deeply
worried that Kosovo's independence will set off a chain
reaction that coQd affect Nagorno Karabakh's international
status and disrupt the OSCE Minsk Group peace process. For
this reason, the GOAJ is unlikely to recognize Kosovo's
independence and also is unlikely to recognize Abkhazia. We
will continue to underscore in our public and private
comments that Kosovo will not set a precedent for other
conflicts. We urge the Department to consider issuing a
public statement that makes this point.
DERSE