PRESIDENTIAL CHIEF OF STAFF CONTINUES TO EXPRESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000553 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS KDEM AJ SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL CHIEF OF STAFF CONTINUES TO EXPRESS IRE OVER CRITICAL U.S. STATEMENTS REF: BAKU 541 Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse per 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Presidential Chief of Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev told visiting EUR DAS Bryza that, as a strategic partner, Azerbaijan expects the U.S. to take a more active role in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) conflict. Mehdiyev said greater U.S. activism and pressure is needed to balance Russia's pro-Armenian stance. Mehdiyev also complained that recent statements by senior U.S. officials critical of Azerbaijan's democratic record were "hurtful." Bryza explained that the U.S., through the Minsk Group's Basic Principles, sought to find a compromise solution to the NK conflict that would incorporate the legal principle of territorial integrity with the political principle of self-determination. Bryza also stressed that the U.S. was critical of democratic progress in both Armenia and Azerbaijan; however, we seek to promote reform in a way that preserves Azerbaijan's stability while advancing political freedom. Although the warm meeting seems to have eased some of Mehdiyev's personal ire, continued high-level engagement will be needed to address concerns laid out by President Aliyev to visiting EUR DAS Merkel (reftel). End summary. ¶2. (C) In a June 4 meeting with visiting EUR DAS Bryza and the Ambassador, Presidential Chief of Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev affirmed the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Azerbaijan. Close ties between the U.S. and Azerbaijan, Mehdiyev said, are the right way for Azerbaijan to maintain its independence and sovereignty. However, "some sources" try to "interfere" in the close relationship between the two countries. Mehdiyev urged the U.S. to ignore "groundless" claims made by the Armenian lobby that seek to create obstacles in the United States' relationship with Azerbaijan. YOU TREAT YOUR FRIENDS LIKE THIS? -------------- ¶3. (C) Bryza responded that Azerbaijan is a critically important friend for the United States. Azerbaijan could strengthen global energy security by supplying gas to Europe , and Azerbaijan's strategic location makes it vitally important for regional security initiatives. Mehdiyev interrupted to state that Europe should provide more support for Azerbaijan, particularly with respect to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Neither Armenia nor the Armenian lobby are taking steps to promote European security and Europe must understand that, Mehdiyev said. Instead, Europe applies "double standards" to Armenia and Azerbaijan. The U.S. should provide objective information about the situation in the South Caucasus, Mehdiyev continued. Recent statements by President Bush and Secretary Rice, comparing Azerbaijan's human rights record unfavorably with Armenia's record, were "painful" for the Azerbaijani people, particularly when "appalling" events in Armenia elicited a "small, soft" reaction from the international community. "Such statements are a matter of concern for the Azerbaijani authorities," Mehdiyev stated. NK: NEED TO COMPROMISE -------------- ¶4. (C) Bryza acknowledged that the U.S. had heard increasing statements of concern from Azerbaijani Government officials in the wake of the Co-Chairs' vote on Azerbaijan's UNGA resolution and separate statements by senior U.S. officials that were critical of Azerbaijan's human rights record. He noted that the U.S. had looked carefully into the concerns raised by Azerbaijan regarding the legal principle of territorial integrity, and was beginning intense discussions with the other Minsk Group Co-Chairs regarding the relative weight of legal and political principles, particularly with respect to self-determination. Bryza stressed that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be solved on the basis of both legal and political principles. If both sides want to avoid war, there must be a compromise solution. AZERBAIJAN EXPECTS U.S. TO DO MORE ON NK -------------- ¶5. (C) Although Mehdiyev welcomed the news that the Co-Chairs were looking at both the legal and political principles, he pressed the point that Armenia is occupying Azerbaijani territory. Arguing that the U.S. would never compromise if Mexico occupied U.S. territory, Mehdiyev said that the greatest possible compromise would be to give Nagorno-Karabakh "the highest status of autonomy within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan." He urged Bryza to consider that Azerbaijan is creating a "powerful army, but is not using it." Armenia occupied Azerbaijani land with the aid of Soviet and then Russian troops; Russia wants to maintain the status quo. ¶6. (C) Azerbaijan expects the U.S. to take an active role and exercise pressure to resolve the NK conflict, Mehdiyev said. Neither France nor Russia is willing to press for a solution; the U.S. must provide a counter-balance. "The time is right for the U.S. to pound its fist on the table and say you're fed up and compel Armenia to abide by UN resolutions. No one says we don't want a resolution of the conflicts but no one understands the political games regarding Nagorno-Karabakh." Armenia is Russia's "fortified outpost" and that's why Russia promotes Armenia's interests in the Minsk Group, Mehdiyev said. Russia doesn't like Azerbaijan's independence and is locked in a conflict with Georgia; for these reasons, Russia is trying to strengthen its grip on Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan pins its hopes for resolving the conflict on a "consistent response" from the United States, Mehdiyev said. "If the U.S. doesn't help, our only option is to mobilize our resourcs and our military forces." BASIC PRINCIPLES AR THE ANSWER -------------- ¶7. (C) As Azerbaijan's friend and partner, Bryza said, the U.S. seeks to broaden the range of options available to Azerbaijan to resolve the NK conflict. Status quo or a return to war present a very limited range of options; the U.S. strives to create a third path of a peaceful solution. Azerbaijan's growing economic and military strength can provide leverage in the negotiations but military force is not a viable solution. The U.S. believes that the Basic Principles present a viable interim solution that will immediately improve Azerbaijan's position through the return of seven territories and its displaced population. The Basic Principles would allow both parties to work toward the resolving the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh with the understanding that legally we support the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The Basic Principles consciously contain ambiguity regarding the final status of NK in hopes that, with time, the two populations will be able to live together. ¶8. (C) In response to Mehdiyev's question as to whether the Armenians accept the Basic Principles, Bryza said that Kocharian and Oskanian had agreed that there would never be a vote on the final status of NK. The idea of a popular vote to determine the final status of NK is political cover that will allow both sides to move forward with a peaceful solution. Bryza acknowledged that the Minsk Group needs the assurances of the newly elected Armenian President that he too supports this agreement. Azerbaijani Minister of Defense Abiyev had proposed that a vote regarding the future status of NK must take place in accordance with the Azerbaijani constitution. There are ways, Bryza continued, to provide assurances that the vote will not happen. DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT -------------- ¶9. (C) Turning to Mehdiyev's concerns about recent U.S. statements that were critical of Azerbaijan's democracy and human rights record, Bryza reiterated that Azerbaijan is of great strategic importance to the United States. The U.S. has publicly and privately criticized problems in the democratic development of both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Bryza urged the Azerbaijani Government to hold a free and fair presidential election in October, to demonstrate the GOAJ's commitment to democratic principles. Bryza stressed that the U.S. supports a "step-by-step" approach to democratic reform in Azerbaijan; we seek to promote reform in a way that preserves Azerbaijan's stability while expanding political freedom. Nodding, Mehdiyev said that the U.S. and Azerbaijan have the same objective: to build democracy while protecting stability. He affirmed that the GOAJ has a "firm determination" to hold a free and fair election in October and said President Aliyev would focus on Azerbaijan's democratic development and economic growth in his second term. COMMENT -------------- ¶10. (C) Mehdiyev and other senior officials - including President Aliyev - have made it clear in recent months that they view public criticism by U.S. officials of Azerbaijan's human rights record, especially that which contrasts Azerbaijan unfavorably vis-a-vis Armenia, as "hurtful" and not in accordance with the strategic partnership between the two countries. They also have made it clear that they expect the U.S., as Azerbaijan's strategic partner, to do more to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The warm meeting between Bryza and Mehdiyev seemed to have dispelled some of Mehdiyev's personal hard feelings. However, as evidenced by President Aliyev's extremely blunt message to visiting EUR DAS Merkel (reftel),further high-level engagement will be needed. ¶11. (U) Bryza cleared this message. DERSE