VISIT OF AZERBAIJANI MINISTER OF DEFENSE TO IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000164

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2017
TAGS: PBTS PGOV PREL IR AJ
SUBJECT: VISIT OF AZERBAIJANI MINISTER OF DEFENSE TO IRAN

Classified By: Ambassador Derse for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Azerbaijani Minister of Defense Safar Abiyev visited
Iran February 18-19, his first visit to the Islamic Republic
since 2004. During a February 12 meeting with the
Ambassador, Abiyev noted that he was preparing for the trip.
In addition to Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa
Mohammad-Najjar, Abiyev said he also planned to meet with
Minister of Information Qualm Huseyn Mohseni Ejei and
Minister of Foreign Affairs Manuchehr Mottaki. When the
Ambassador pressed him for details on the topics to be
discussed, Abiyev smiled and coyly noted that there were
"many issues" which needed to be discussed, including Iranian
support for Armenia and other issues which "were not military
related." He indicated that one of the topics to be
discussed would be the Iranian-backed Mahdi Army Group, which
was convicted in December 2007 of spying for the Iranian
Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC),the Minister complained
that Iran has "sent too many trained people against
Azerbaijan." He said that the 12-16 people from the
so-called "Mahdi Army Group" who were currently in custody
"still have not confessed" to their ties to Iran. The
Ambassador reminded him of the USG's position and emphasized
that, given Iran,s pursuit of nuclear weapons programs and
support for terrorist groups, the United States encouraged
its friends and partners not to expand their relations with
Tehran.


2. (C) Speaking more broadly of the Azerbaijan-Iran
relationship, Abiyev said that Iran was "against Azerbaijan's
independence" and also "against ethnic Azerbaijanis living in
Iran." Referring to the 2002 incident between BP and Iran in
the disputed Aloz field, he said that he was concerned about
the increased number of "small vessels" that Iran had put in
the Caspian Sea. He said that he believed Iran would put
pressure (means unspecified) on foreign oil companies so that
they would not continue their activities in the Caspian Sea.
He also said that he expected that Iran would plan some kind
of "provocation" against Azerbaijan, specifically "catching
an Azerbaijani citizen with classified information on Iran."


3. (C) Local press reported that, following his meeting
with Najjar, Abiyev made a typically strong statement
regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, stating that
"Azerbaijan will liberate its territories in one way or
another. That is definite." He also publicly promised that
"Azerbaijan will not allow any foreign force to threaten
neighboring and friendly Iran from Azerbaijani territory."
Foreign Minster Mottaki stressed the fraternal and brotherly
ties between the countries. Two Azerbaijani political
analysts separately speculated to emboffs that the likely
primary reason for the trip from Iran's perspective was to
get Abiyev's pledge that Azerbaijan would not allow an attack
on Iran from Azerbaijani soil.


4. (C) COMMENT: The timing of Abiyev's visit is
interesting, given that other senior officials, including
President Aliyev, have told us recently that Azerbaijan,s
relations with Iran have been as "tense" as they have ever
been following the trial and conviction of the Mahdi Army
Group. Abiyev clearly views Iran with concern, likely due
also to Iran,s ongoing preparations to sail a new Caspian
energy platform. Abiyev,s visit likely was intended in part
to help manage current tensions, as the GOAJ believes
Azerbaijan,s continued independence and sovereignty depends
on maintaining pragmatic relations with its more powerful
neighbors. The local press quoted the Iranian Ambassador
saying President Aliyev plans to travel to Iran in March.
Neither the Foreign Minister nor the President's staff had
any information, and was unlikely to confirm or deny the
report. we will continue to seek confirmation of this visit
and will report updates septel.
DERSE