AZERBAIJAN MFA RESPONSE TO CEIP MOU

UNCLAS BAKU 000816 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, S/CT (GAIL ROBERTSON) PLEASE PASS DOE DAS BILL BRYAN, MBURPOE DEFENSE FOR OUSD(P) DMELLEBY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ENRG PREL AJ SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN MFA RESPONSE TO CEIP MOU REF: 08 STATE 127069 ¶1. (SBU) Embassy received the following Diplomatic Note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to the draft Memorandum of Understanding presented to the GOAJ in December 2008 per Reftel instructions: Begin Text. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and as a response to the Embassy request to sign the "Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Improvement (sic) of the Important Energy Infrastructure Security Between the U.S. and Azerbaijani Governments" has the honor to present the following information: Instead of the approach indicated in the Memorandum of Understanding the Ministry proposes the following: ¶1. Constant arrangement of briefings for the Azerbaijani side in Baku on different aspects of the (sic) energy security. ¶2. Waiving the limitations imposed on Azerbaijan on purchasing security equipment thus contribute (sic) to ensuring the security of the important energy infrastructure. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan avails itself of the opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America assurances of its highest consideration. End Text. LU