PRESIDENT ALIYEV DISCUSSES DEMOCRACY AND FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000038 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/10/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL ENRG EPET MARR MASS PTER KDEM AJ SUBJECT: PRESIDENT ALIYEV DISCUSSES DEMOCRACY AND FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES WITH CONGRESSMAN WEXLER REF: BAKU 01496 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Donald Lu for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: During a January 9 meeting with Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL),President Aliyev said he was confident about winning the October Presidential election, due to his government's accomplishments and the opposition's inability to introduce fresh faces. Aliyev said Azerbaijan is no less an important and reliable U.S. ally than Georgia or Ukraine, yet the West applies a higher standard for Azerbaijan's democratic performance. Aliyev affirmed Azerbaijan's strategic choice of seeking Euro-Atlantic integration, despite regional pressure from Russia and Iran. Aliyev said Russia is increasing its influence in Eurasia, stating that "it's only us" that has successfully become independent and established a partnership with the U.S. Aliyev said the U.S. should continue its efforts to form a "broad international coalition to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons," as a military approach would be a "disaster" for Azerbaijan. Aliyev affirmed the importance of Azerbaijani-Israeli ties, noting that Israeli Foreign Minister Livni will come to Baku soon. End Summary. Presidential Election -------------- ¶2. (C) Speaking of Azerbaijan's upcoming October 2008 presidential election, President Aliyev argued that the opposition is weak because of his government's accomplishments and the opposition's inability to introduce fresh faces. The opposition's weakness does not stem from alleged government pressure, according to Aliyev. Aliyev cited Azerbaijan's rising GDP, near eradication of poverty, energy projects, and Baku's independent, Western-oriented foreign policy as the reasons behind his government's success and popularity. He said a new generation of opposition leaders needs to develop because the current crop are political failures. Aliyev said the GOAJ would do everything to prepare for a free and fair election, including preparing some social and economic programs to boost his popularity in advance of the election. Aliyev said he felt very confident about winning the election. ¶3. (C) Aliyev reiterated his complaint that the West has one standard for Azerbaijan's democratic performance and another standard for Georgia and Ukraine (reftel). Aliyev said Azerbaijan knows better than anyone else that there were violations in the Georgian presidential election, but the West's statements on the election's conduct were not critical. Aliyev suggested that Azerbaijan helped Saakashvilli win the election through garnering votes among the Azeri minority in Georgia. Aliyev also complained that if Azerbaijan did one percent of what Saakashvili did prior to the election -- arresting rivals, cracking down on a television station, disrupting opposition protests -- his government would be heavily criticized by the West. Aliyev noted that President Yushchenko had violated his own constitution 50 times since the Orange Revolution, but western criticism has been limited. Aliyev said Azerbaijan is no less an important and reliable ally to the U.S. than Georgia or Ukraine -- particularly regarding energy and security interests -- so should have a right to expect the same treatment that Saakashvili and Yushchenko enjoy. Media Freedom -------------- ¶4. (C) President Aliyev told Rep. Wexler that his December 28 Presidential pardon -- which included five journalists -- was "not an easy process," adding that the GOAJ is working with civil society to foster more responsible journalists who recognize the distinction between professional criticism and slander. Aliyev said Azerbaijan's media is "young" and often "untrustworthy," and journalists need to understand that they are not excluded from the laws governing all Azerbaijani citizens. Aliyev stated Azerbaijan has made good progress toward media freedom in a relatively short period, while acknowledging that more remains to be done. Continuing Russian Pressure -------------- ¶5. (C) Aliyev affirmed his vision for moving Azerbaijan closer to Europe, despite regional pressures from Russia and Iran, which he characterized as undemocratic, not European, and prone to disregard international opinion. Aliyev said that among states with a Muslim majority population, Azerbaijan is one of the closest partners for the U.S., maybe even more than Turkey. He observed that a broad consensus exists within Azerbaijani society and among the GOAJ to support the goal of Euro-Atlantic integration. ¶6. (C) Aliyev suggested that Russia is taking advantage of U.S. democracy promotion goals to increase Russian influence in Eurasia. Aliyev stated that Putin and Kazakh President Nazarbayev have close personal relations, as evidenced by their approximately 14-15 meetings last year, even though such relations are not always in accordance with Kazakhstan's national interests. Aliyev referred to a recent Russian-Kazakh agreement to construct a new gas pipeline as further evidence of Russia's growing influence. Aliyev wondered how President Bush could publicly refer to the 2005 government change in Kyrgyzstan as a "democratic revolution," when Bakiyev's government is not democratic and seeks to eject the U.S. military from the airbase at Manas. Aliyev noted that Kygryz President Bakiyev personally told Aliyev of his intention to remove the base during their last meeting. Aliyev cited Moldova as another state falling under Russian influence, with President Voronin not participating in the last two GUAM summits. Reflecting on this trend, Aliyev said "it's only us" that has successfully become independent and established a partnership with the U.S., while avoiding the chaos of Georgia and Ukraine. Iran's Nuclear Program -------------- ¶7. (C) Addressing Iran's nuclear program, Aliyev said the U.S. should continue to assemble a "broad international coalition to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons," as a military approach would be a "disaster" for Azerbaijan. Aliyev suggested that U.S. efforts to build a coalition have helped isolate Iran, characterizing a nuclear armed Iran as a "disaster." Consistent with the GOAJ's policy, Aliyev said that Iran has the right to develop a peaceful nuclear program, but this has to be done in a transparent manner. He argued that Iran is jealous of Azerbaijan's achievements, which undermine the appeal of Iran's theocratic model. ¶8. (C) Aliyev affirmed the importance of the Azerbaijani-Israeli bilateral relationship, observing that cooperation -- especially in the areas of counterterrorism and regional security -- is nearly at the same level of U.S.-Azerbaijan cooperation. Aliyev said he considers Israel a friend and counts on its support, alongside Jewish groups in America. Aliyev also said Israeli Foreign Minister Livni will come to Baku soon. (In a separate meeting with Wexler, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva said Livni will come in several days - septel.) ¶10. (U) Rep. Wexler did not have the opportunity to review this message. LU