Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08USNATO338
2008-09-18 16:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Mission USNATO
Cable title:  

NAC MEETING WITH AZERBAIJAN FOREIGN MINISTER

Tags:  PREL MARR NATO PGOV PINR AF AJ GG 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI PRIORITY 0137
RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY 4785
RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA PRIORITY
RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU PRIORITY 0105
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C O N F I D E N T I A L USNATO 000338 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2018
TAGS: PREL MARR NATO PGOV PINR AF AJ GG
SUBJECT: NAC MEETING WITH AZERBAIJAN FOREIGN MINISTER
MAMMADYAROV

Classified By: CDA W. S. Reid, III, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L USNATO 000338

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2018
TAGS: PREL MARR NATO PGOV PINR AF AJ GG
SUBJECT: NAC MEETING WITH AZERBAIJAN FOREIGN MINISTER
MAMMADYAROV

Classified By: CDA W. S. Reid, III, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: During his comments to the North Atlantic
Council (NAC),Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
extolled his country's priorities of continued integration
into Euro-Atlantic structures, increased practical
cooperation with Euro-Atlantic partners, participation in
Partnership for Peace (PfP) programs, and increased
contributions to regional and global aid programs. He also
emphasized Azerbaijan's commitment to multiple pipelines and
rail links. Allies applauded Azerbaijan's progress, but
asked questions about human rights; free and fair elections;
regional stability; energy security; political, economic and
military reforms; transparency; and resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. End Summary.

--------------
FM Mammadyarov makes his case
--------------


2. (C) During the September 17 meeting of the NAC, FM Elmar
Mammadyarov reacted to NATO's assessment of Azerbaijan's
Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP),stressing that
Azerbaijan's priorities, as reflected in the IPAP, were for
continued integration into Euro-Atlantic structures,
increased practical cooperation with Euro-Atlantic partners,
PfP participation, and increased contributions to regional
and global aid programs. In this IPAP cycle Azerbaijan
concentrated on aspects of civil emergency planning,
interoperability and public diplomacy, with Mammadyarov
saying that Azerbaijan plans to continue with the reforms it
has undertaken.


3. (C) In regards to defense reform, Mammadyarov said the
Military Doctrine is almost finalized and could be adopted in
the coming months, adding that Azerbaijan is adopting the
NATO "J-structure" (a combined military joint force
structure) throughout its military. Referring to engagement
with NATO, Mammadyarov recalled President Aliyev's
announcement at the Bucharest Summit that Azerbaijan intends
to increase its contribution to ISAF. He also characterized

as "successful" the recent visit of Azerbaijan's Deputy
Foreign Minister to Afghanistan to discuss civil and military
cooperation. (NOTE: In a lunch following the NAC,
Mammadyarov admitted that the delegation had actually
returned from Afghanistan with more questions than answers.)
Mammadyarov lauded the completion of a NATO Science for Peace
project to destroy melange rocket fuel. He also noted that
the third phase of a Trust Fund project to clear unexploded
ordinance was about to begin, for which Azerbaijan is
contributing 50 percent of the costs. Baku continues to
raise awareness about NATO through centers in Baku and Ganca.
The NATO International School of Azerbaijan (NISA) has
established itself as a permanent institution with its own
premises and staff, and Mammadyarov pledged continued support
of this NGO as long as possible.


4. (C) Regarding the domestic situation, Mammadyarov said
that Azerbaijan is working with the OSCE and the Council of
Europe to ensure free and fair elections in October, adding
that international observers would be welcomed. He stated
that Azerbaijan is committed to finding a peaceful settlement
to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and called on Armenian armed
forces to withdraw from the conflict zone. He reiterated
support for the Bucharest Summit declaration, in which
nations declared respect for the principles of territorial
integrity and sovereignty, although he stated that in the
next summit declaration he hoped to see the words "based on
these principles," rather than "taking into account these
principles."


5. (C) Turning to Azerbaijan's external relations,
Mammadyarov stated that Azerbaijan can make a critical
contribution to regional economic growth, energy resources

and security. Azerbaijan underlined that it is committed to
multiple pipelines and a rail link with Georgia and Turkey,
which Mammadyarov called a "new and effective corridor
between Europe and Asia." Referring to recent events in
Georgia, Mammadyarov said the concept of indivisible security
gives the South Caucasus region a sense of common purpose.
He reaffirmed comments supporting the territorial integrity
and sovereignty of Georgia, and said that Azerbaijan is
committed to providing economic assistance in the aftermath
of the events of August 7. Avoiding the term "frozen
conflicts," Mammadyarov instead referred to "protracted
conflicts," making the distinction that these conflicts could
be "reheated" at any moment. He applauded Turkey's efforts
to establish a Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform,
while also stressing Baku will continue to exercise its own
independent foreign policy.

-------------- -
The Allies respond - with praise and questions
-------------- -


6. (C) Allies thanked Azerbaijan for its contributions to
NATO operations in ISAF. Resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, domestic reforms, energy security and Georgia were
consistent themes in the questions Allies posed to
Mammadyarov. Turkey, which serves as Contact Point Embassy
for Azerbaijan, declared that it has witnessed consistent
reform in the country over the last ten years, has seen
positive indications of Baku's commitment to fulfilling its
remaining IPAP obligations, and thanked Azerbaijan for always
being "at the forefront" of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership
Council. Turkey also announced a donation of USD 150,000 to
the PfP Trust Fund to clear unexploded ordinance. It
commended Azerbaijan for its goal of "looking for a lasting
and peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
within the territorial integrity and sovereignty of
Azerbaijan."


7. (C) Ambassador Volker spoke of the challenges of changing
borders by force, and the opportunities for greater
Azerbaijani engagement with Turkey and Armenia. He also
encouraged Azerbaijan to embrace the Minsk Group process
further. He stated the need for Baku to continue political
and economic reforms, cooperate with the OSCE, media and
civic society, and complete the Military Doctrine. The UK
and Norway asked for an update on human rights, freedom of
the media, and electoral law reform. The Belgian PermRep
hoped that "regular and productive" elections would indicate
a "step towards NATO." Italy said that the elections would
be a test of the strength of Azerbaijan's IPAP and the
country's evolution, and expressed its hope to develop joint
projects in energy security. The Dutch PermRep raised the
subject of the Nabucco pipeline and the alleged persecution
of journalists. German PermRep Brandenburg called for
Azerbaijan to implement more democratic control of the armed
forces.


8. (C) Noting that as he was departing Tbilisi he passed a
long line of AzOil tankers, the UK PermRep stressed the
importance of cooperation among the states of the Caucasus.
Norway commended Azerbaijan's "constructive approach in
support of Georgia." The German PermRep called Russia "part
of the problem" but also "part of any potential solution,"
and stated that the EU made the right decision including
Azerbaijan in the EU Neighborhood Program. The Czech PermRep
explained that the NATO-Georgia Commission was meant to
strengthen ties with Georgia, and should not be interpreted
as "MAP-minus." He also raised questions about the
development of the CIS in light of Georgia's withdrawal from
the group. Broadening the focus of questions from Georgia to
the entire region, Poland said that Gori shows the horrors of
unilateral change in borders and asked Mammadyarov to
evaluate circumstances in Iran. Bulgaria asked what else
Azerbaijan can contribute to ISAF.


-------------- --------------
Mammadyarov's rebuttal ... and questions left unanswered
-------------- --------------


9. (C) Mammadyarov responded that the South Caucasus region
"sat on a new page" after the Georgia conflict. He said that
Baku wants everyone to "calm down" and "let the diplomacy
work," and made the allusion that it is better to have "banks
than tanks" in the region. He stated it was still too early
to predict what the impact of Georgia's withdrawal from the
CIS would be. He also said that it is up to CSTO member
states to determine their aspirations and address their own
security situation. Mammadyarov reported that Iran's Foreign
Minister recently visited Baku, arguing that even Iran was
not immune from the Georgia crisis. Turning to energy
matters, Mammadyarov said the shutting down of the pipeline
in Turkey during the Georgia conflict illustrated the need
for greater energy security. Regarding Nabucco, Mammadyarov
said that there are two approaches - one which he argued
should be based on commercial viability and which he now
contended was "too politicized," and the other which needs to
look at how to bring more Azeri gas to Europe. Regarding
Afghanistan, he said Azerbaijan is focused on providing
civilian assistance because of common religious understanding
with the Afghan people.


10. (C) On domestic policies, Mammadyarov stated that the
World Bank ranked Azerbaijan 33rd on its list of reformers
and it is concentrating on building a free market economy,
reducing dependence on oil and gas revenues, privatizing
land, and transforming its infrastructure. Mammadyarov spoke
of his dream that he can one day take his family on a 3-day
continuous rail trip from Azerbaijan to Disneyland Paris. He
also said that Azerbaijan is working to strengthen civil
society, rule of law, and investing in education. He
committed that "we will try to do all our best" to ensure
free and fair elections in October. Mammadyarov mentioned
that Tony Blair recently applauded Azerbaijan for its
transparency.
REID