AZERBAIJAN: EXTRAORDINARY PARLIAMENTARY SESSION HELD

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 000473 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, DRL E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV KDEM AJ SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: EXTRAORDINARY PARLIAMENTARY SESSION HELD REF: A. BAKU 468 ¶1. (U) Sensitive But Unclassified. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: On June 9 the Milli Mejlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan held an extraordinary session to discuss several important, but disturbing, topics. The ruling party, ahead of 2010 municipal elections, continues to push for a new law on political parties which would involve state funding of these parties. In addition, Members of Parliament (MPs) complained about the recent founding of the "Azerbaijani Karabakh Community", an Armenian nuclear power station, and Iranian interference on the visit of Israeli President Shimon Peres to Azerbaijan. In addition, rumors indicate the Millis Majlis may soon pass a new law that would restrict the activities of foreign NGOs (such as NDI and IRI). Embassy is investigating these claims, as foreign financing for domestic NGOs could also be affected. End Summary. ¶3. (SBU) On June 9 the Milli Mejlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan held an extraordinary session. There were six items on the agenda: "The Law on Voluntary Service" - the third (final) reading; "A Draft Law on the Changes to the Administrative Territorial Structure of Nakhchivan City and Babek District", "A Draft Law on the Amendments to the Law on the Status of Municipalities" (the first reading)," The Law on Financial Accounting", "A Draft Law on Non-bank Credit Organizations" (first reading) and "A Draft Law on the Purchase of Lands for State Needs" (the first reading). ¶4. (SBU) Before the voting, MPs participated in an open debate where several important topics were discussed. MP Siyavush Novruzov, from the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party (YAP),said that a new Law on Political Parties should be adopted. He stated that the existing law on political parties does not reflect changes that have happened in the political life of the country since its adoption. He also noted that the new law should include state funding for political parties. These proposals, if adopted, could have an impact on municipal elections, scheduled for 2010. ¶5. MP Igbal Aghazada from the opposition Hope Party spoke about recent developments on Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) issue and noted that the establishment of a "Karabakh Community," as discussed at the "First Congress of the Azerbaijani Community of Nagorno-Karabakh," which met in Baku on June 5, contradicts the Constitution (ref A). He considered it abnormal to for this community to be registered as an Azerbaijani community in Azerbaijan. He also mentioned that the status of Nagorno-Karabakh had not been determined in the Constitution. ¶6. MP Malahat Ibrahimgizi (YAP) expressed her concern about the reconstruction of the Armenian Atomic Power Station. She said the government of Armenia ratified tender results for the Vanadzor station reconstruction. Siemens of Austria was announced the tender winner, she said. According to the plan, the project should be completed by 2016. She said the impact of such a power station to the ecology of neighboring countries should be considered. Since Armenia is located in a seismically active zone, construction of such a huge complex may create a danger for the region. She said GoAJ should apply to the UN and other international organizations to investigate its impact. ¶7. (SBU) MP Aynur Guliyeva (opposition Musavat Party)_spoke about the regulation of the Internet. (Note: this follows a recent conference, conducted by the Council of Europe, at which Presidential advisor Ali Hasanov suggested that the Internet is dangerous for certain residents of Azerbaijan and might need regulation.) She said a government body similar to National Radio and TV Council (NRTC) should be established to control the content published on the Internet. MP Guliyeva said a working group consisting of professional journalists should learn from the experience of developed countries. She expressed her concern about different kinds of aggressive materials published on the Azerbaijani internet servers, saying "It may harm childrens' and youth's emotional and mental health." Others, mainly outside the parliament, worry that such actions could lead to further censorship of the media and limits to expression in Azerbaijan. ¶8. MP Ganira Pashayeva (independent) expressed her protest against Iran's interference in Azerbaijan's domestic policies. She said Iranian politicians and media workers blame Azerbaijan for inviting Israeli President Shimon Peres to Baku. (Note: the visit, according to Azerbaijan's press, is slated for late June.) She said Iran blames Azerbaijan for breaking solidarity between Islamic states, while the Iranian government conducts a pro-Armenian policy. Teheran, she said, has opened borders with Armenia, created favorable conditions for bilateral trade and encouraged official visits. BAKU 00000473 002 OF 002 Voting -------------- ¶9. (SBU) MPs voted to approve all the items on agenda, although a draft law on the "Purchase of Lands for State Needs" (the first reading) received the criticism of MPs from oppositional parties. MP Panah Huseyn (opposition Musavat Party) said that the citizens have the right of ownership and their rights are protected by the Constitution (Article 29). Exploitation of the property for state or public needs is permitted only after preliminary fair reimbursement of its cost. MP Eldar Ibrahimov (YAP),Chair of the Standing Committee on Agrarian Policy said in response that the law will consider conditions for the purchase of lands for state's needs and regulate payment and compensation procedures. Comment -------------- ¶10. (SBU) The next extraordinary session of Milli Meclis is scheduled for June 19. The MPs are expected to discuss the Law on Education, a draft law on the changes and amendments to the state budget for 2009, etc. In addition, opposition newspapers are writing, based on a "reliable source," that a new draft law on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is expected to be discussed in Milli Mejlis on June 19. As of this writing, this seems to be the case. Claims are that the new law is proposed by the Presidential Administration and will set strict conditions for foreign NGOs and domestic NGOs that receive financing from foreign sources. According to reports, NGOs may have to have at least three branch offices to be allowed for a country-wide activity. This change would restrict activities, i.e. an NGO registered only in Baku and not having branch offices would not be allowed to conduct events and trainings in the regions of the country. Another rumored amendment would prohibit a foreign citizen without a residence permit in Azerbaijan to establish an NGO. The experts say that all these amendments and changes would create an obstacle for international NGOs, including the U.S.-funded NDI, IRI, and others. The Embassy will investigate these issues further and report.