UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE DELIVERED TO AZERBAIJAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000831 SIPDIS FOR EUR/CARC; IO/RHS REBECCA JOVIN; DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2018 TAGS: PHUM PREL UN SUBJECT: UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE DELIVERED TO AZERBAIJAN REF: STATE 93981 Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Embassy officers delivered reftel to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Security Affairs Department Chief Galib Israfilov on September 5. Israfilov said the GOAJ generally is against "no-motion" actions, with selective exceptions. For example, the GOAJ has supported "no-motion" actions on Iran and Turkmenistan on national security grounds because Tehran and Ashgabat have supported Azerbaijan's positions on other UN issues. On the topic of country-specific resolutions, Israfilov said the GOAJ is against these type of resolutions because they are "not a constructive form of engagement." Accordingly, Israfilov showed no interest in a Zimbabwe-specific resolution. ¶2. (C) Azerbaijan's voting position on this and many other UNGA issues typically is determined in strict conformity with unofficial vote-swapping agreements Azerbaijan has negotiated with other states. The GOAJ swaps votes in exchange for other states' support on UNGA votes on the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which the GOAJ sees as one of its key national security priorities. ¶3. (C) Israfilov said Azerbaijan will submit a renewal application for a seat on the UN HUMAN RIGHTS Council. DERSE