DFM AZIMOV REQUESTS USG SUPPORT ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000187 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR EUR/CARC AND IO E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PBTS UN AZ SUBJECT: DFM AZIMOV REQUESTS USG SUPPORT ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH UNGA RESOLUTION REF: STATE 21209 Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov requested a meeting with Ambassador Derse on February 29 to discuss Azerbaijan's pending UNGA resolution "on the situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan" (other topics septel). European embassies were similarly summoned to a group meeting. Azimov formally handed the Ambassador a letter to the Secretary presenting the resolution and seeking U.S. support (faxed to EUR/CARC on 2/29.) The Ambassador stated that the U.S. was prepared to work with the GOAJ on a UNGA resolution underscoring that Kosovo is not a precedent for Nagorno-Karabakh. However, the Ambassador said the U.S. "could not support, and may oppose" the Azerbaijani resolution in its current unbalanced form. Azimov said that Azerbaijan,s resolution was "maybe in reaction" to the Kosovo,s unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia, and expressed surprise that the USG may oppose the resolution. ¶2. (C) Azimov said that a resolution simply stating that Kosovo was not a precedent for Nagorno-Karabakh was "not acceptable." He said that Azerbaijan sought to make it clear that "self-determination is the mechanism through which NK status is determined within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan" and that the result of self-determination was not independence. Azimov also reiterated Azerbaijan's opposition to the "unilateral" secession of Kosovo from Serbia. ¶3. (C) Azimov said that "based on what the Co-chairs have said on the record, the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is the conceptual basis for the Minsk Group." However, based on what has happened in Kosovo, "we cannot take this for granted now." He said that "Azerbaijan's draft resolution in the UNGA is a moment of truth where the GOAJ is "trying to find answers." Azimov stated twice that the resolution was not an attempt on the part of Azerbaijan to "move NK to the UN," and added that Azerbaijan may, in the end, appeal to the wider Minsk Group. Azimov also said that two points in the Minsk Group principles needed to be improved: first, that the Lachin corridor cannot be under unilateral control. Azimov worried that, under the Kosovo precedent, the Lachin corridor would be quickly taken out of Azerbaijan. Second the right of return must be included. ¶4. (C) In addition, with reference to the NK negotiations, GOAJ hard line on Kosovo is intended to heavily underscore their position that the principle of territorial integrity is absolute and governing in the NK dispute, and that independence for NK is not a possible outcome from the GOAJ point of view ) a key point for them which they believe is under pressure in the Minsk Group talks. Azimov said that Kosovo has forced the issue; it is a "moment of truth" on NK -- the UNGA resolution they have put forward is intended to make clear that the principle of territorial integrity governs, and that self-determination is "a mechanism by which NK determines its status within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan." Azimov said that the Minsk Group has been vague on this and they want it clarified. They are also concerned about Russia applying Kosovo example to Georgian conflict and what that could portend for NK, even if Russia does not apply Kosovo example to NK directly. ¶5. (C) Azimov provided background on how Azerbaijan would push the resolution forward. The resolution would be pushed forward on three levels. Azerbaijan,s first approach would be to all countries in the UNGA; its second approach would be to countries that have regional interests, and third would be to the co-chairs of the Minsk Group. He opined that Azerbaijan,s resolution "relied on what the co-chairs said several times" with respect to territorial integrity being the conceptual basis for the NK negotiations. DERSE