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