Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAKU7
2009-01-07 12:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baku
Cable title:  

PRESIDENTIAL POLITICAL ADVISER HOLDS OUT HOPE FOR

Tags:  PREL PGOV KDEM KHUM AJ 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 3190
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 000007 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM KHUM AJ
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL POLITICAL ADVISER HOLDS OUT HOPE FOR
FOREIGN RADIO BROADCASTS RETURN

REF: BAKU 0006

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Donald Lu, Reasons 1.4 (b and d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 000007

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM KHUM AJ
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL POLITICAL ADVISER HOLDS OUT HOPE FOR
FOREIGN RADIO BROADCASTS RETURN

REF: BAKU 0006

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Donald Lu, Reasons 1.4 (b and d).


1. (C) Summary: After listening to warnings from UK
Ambassador and the Charge that the ouster of VOA, Radio
Liberty and the BBC from Azerbaijan's FM airwaves could
seriously harm relations with the EU and the USG,
Presidential Administration Social Policy Chief Ali Hasanov
replied that "we are not at a dead end." He promised to
consult with President Aliyev and Presidential Administration
Chief Ramiz Mehdiyev on the next steps to resolve the issue.
An oft-combative interlocutor, Hasanov calmly repeated the
GOAJ line that the December 30 decision was simply a step
toward bringing the broadcasts in line with the 2002
broadcast media law. But he pointed again to the possibility
of an intergovernmental agreement as a means of returning the
broadcasts to the FM airwaves, and urged that BBG and BBC
representatives engage in negotiations soon. He declined,
however, to accept specific dates for opening talks, asking
for time to consult with President Aliyev and Mehdiyev. End
Summary.

British Take A Tough Line
--------------


2. (C) To underscore the common U.S.-UK-EU position regarding
the removal of foreign broadcasts from public airwaves, the
Charge and UK Ambassador Carolyn Browne, joined by the PAO,
met with Presidential Administration Political Chief Ali
Hasanov January 7. Stressing that her stern points were
being delivered under instructions from London, Ambassador
Browne warned that the effective closure of radio broadcasts
could damage Azerbaijan,s standing across the EU and
negatively affect its Eastern Partnership agreement. She
emphasized that the current problem, roundly criticized
across Europe, is one of the government's own making, she
repeatedly made the offer, "How can we help you resolve your
problem?"


3. (C) The Charge told Hasanov that the USG is deeply
disappointed by the National TV and Radio Council (NTRC)
decision and the permanent removal of VOA, BBC and RFE/RL
broadcasts from FM frequencies would be considered an
unfriendly act, resulting in consequences for our bilateral
relations. The Charge noted that the NTRC decision was an
unpleasant surprise because of the series of assurances that
Embassy, BBG and senior Washington visitors received from
GOAJ officials. The Charge urged Hasanov to begin
negotiations soon on an intergovernmental agreement that
would return the broadcasts to the FM airwaves as well as to
allow broadcasts during the period of negotiations.

"We Are Not at a Dead End"
--------------


4. (C) Hasanov matter-of-factly denied that the closures were
linked to political concerns about Radio Liberty's
broadcasts, repeating the NTRC line that the decision was
based on law, not politics. Nodding to indicate that he
understood the possible consequences, Hasanov said "we are
not at a dead end" and promised to consult immediately with
President Aliyev and Presidential Administration Chief
Mehdiyev on the next steps, including possible near-term
negotiations. Noting that if the President determines that
he would like to "share the airwaves" with foreign
broadcasters, an intergovernmental agreement could be
negotiated that would take precedence over the broadcast
media legislation. While clearly focused on the
intergovernmental agreement, Hasanov even revisited past
options, including renewing the expired broadcast licenses
for a year while negotiations proceed or changing the current
legislation.


5. (C) Charge also raised the issue of Ministry of
Communications January 6 threats to shut down Radio Liberty's
internal satellite links as an example of media harassment
(reftel). Hasanov claimed to have no information about the
issue, but promised to look into it.


6. (C) Comment: While the meeting did not produce a firm

BAKU 00000007 002 OF 002


date for negotiations or any concrete promises, Hasanov also
did not seek to end the dialogue over foreign broadcasts. He
actively tried to convince his British and American
interlocutors that there were near-term possibilities for
bringing these three broadcasters back on the FM frequency.
We cautioned him that Washington and London would be looking
for quick signs of political will to move forward on
restoring these broadcasts. This very well may be more
disinformation from a government that has attempted to
deceive the USG and European Governments repeatedly over this
sensitive issue. On the other hand, pursuing these
negotiations in tandem with high-level interaction with
President Aliyev is the best chance we have of restoring
these broadcasts for the long-haul. The Embassy will request
that the BBG send a letter of invitation to Hasanov to come
to Prague within the next two weeks to commence talks.
LU