EUR DAS BRYZA'S SEPTEMBER 18 MEETINGS WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000923

SIPDIS

FOR EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV RS GG AJ
SUBJECT: EUR DAS BRYZA'S SEPTEMBER 18 MEETINGS WITH
AZERBAIJANI OFFICIALS

Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Defense Minister Safar Abiyev told EUR DAS
Matthew Bryza that Russia's invasion of Georgia altered
regional security dynamics, and he was open to expanding
U.S.-Azerbaijani security cooperation. Presidential
Administration Chief of Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev subsequently
said that Azerbaijan faces new security problems since the
Russian invasion of Georgia, while noting that Azerbaijan is
the most stable country in the South Caucasus. Mehdiyev also
pledged the presidential election will be free and
democratic, and also responded favorably to DAS Bryza's
suggestion to create a higher-level mechanism to expand our
bilateral security cooperation. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Visiting EUR DAS Matthew Bryza and the Ambassador
met separately with Presidential Administration Chief of
Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev and Defense Minister Safar Abiyev on
September 18.

Defense Minister
--------------


3. (C) Minister of Defense Safar Abiyev said Russia's
invasion of Georgia has changed regional security dynamics,
agreeing with Bryza's suggestion to create a higher-level
mechanism to expand our bilateral security cooperation. The
specific mechanism, though, should be decided in a broader
bilateral delegation format. The key for Azerbaijan is to be
secure and confident that the U.S. "will be with us." Abiyev
observed that Azerbaijan's actions -- especially in regards
to energy pipelines and infrastructure projects --
demonstrate Baku's desire "to distance itself" from Russia,
while maintaining good relations at the public level. On the
Qabala radar station, Abiyev said the Russian Defense
Minister told him that Russia wants to modernize the station,
but biyev said he rebuffed Moscow until it pays its
utstanding debts and Russia's 2012 lease expires. Abiyev
remarked that Moscow wants Qabala because its coverage is
broader than the new Russian radar station in Armavir.


4. (C) Abiyev said Russia's invasion of Georgia was "stupid"
because it will create long-term security problems for
Moscow. Abiyev observed that the Russian Defense Minister
told him Russian special-forces were the key to Russian's
operational successes in Georgia, including Russian maritime
units. Abiyev said Russian forces were in the Roki tunnel on
August 7 before the conflict began in Tskhinvali. Abiyev
said Russia gave extra money to Russian soldiers who
participated in operations against Georgia, including paying
$40,000 to pilots for airstrikes against Georgia. Abiyev
also said Russian units demolished parts of Tskhinvali to
bolster their public case against Georgia. During the
conflict, Armenia supported Russia; Russian planes attacked
Georgia from bases within Armenia. Azerbaijani military
units also were put on heightened alert along the line of
contact, in case Russia or Armenia sought to escalate the
conflict into NK. Abiyev also argued that Georgia needs
Azerbaijan in order to be more secure.

Presidential Administration Chief of Staff
--------------


5. (C) Presidential Administration Chief of Staff Ramiz
Mehdiyev said Russia's invasion of Georgia has caused major
concern for the GOAJ. Mehdiyev said the stability of
Azerbaijan was further threatened by the signing of the new
friendship agreement between Russia, South Ossetia and
Abkhazia. Mehdiyev stated that another threat to
Azerbaijan's stability was the treaty of military assistance
between Russia and Armenia. Citing Azerbaijan as the only
stable country in the South Caucasus, Mehdiyev said
Azerbaijan was an important and reliable country for the
United States. Mehdiyev agreed to consider Bryza's
suggestion to create a higher-level mechanism to expand our
bilateral security cooperation and to discuss it within the
GOAJ.

Presidential Election: Equal Conditions, Despite Boycotts
-------------- --------------


6. (C) Mehdiyev assured Bryza that the elections would be

fair and democratic. He cited the equal conditions for
success given to each candidate. For example, every week,
all candidates were given three hours of television time and
three hours of radio time to explain their platform.
Mehdiyev said the government would not allow any violations
of the law with regards to the election process.


7. (C) The government fears that the parties that boycotted
the election might attempt to manipulate the situation so the
international organizations and embassies believed that the
election was not free and fair. Furthermore, Mehdiyev
contended that the reason the "radical parties" were
boycotting the election was because they did not have the
necessary support to succeed. Instead of losing face, the
"radical parties" chose to boycott the election and may
potentially manipulate it to give the appearance of
unfairness.


8. (SBU) DAS Bryza did not have the opportunity to clear
this cable.
DERSE