Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAKU822
2009-10-16 06:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Baku
Cable title:  

Embassy Baku Concurrence on FY09 Requests for Section

Tags:  PREL MASS MARR KTIA AJ 
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VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKB #0822 2890616
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 160616Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAKU
TO RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4/ECJ4-ID/ECJ5-E
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDP:DSCA-ERSA/AT&L/S&T/ISA-EUR//
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDAL-IC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1900
RHMFIUU/CDRUSASAC ALEX VA//AMSAC-ME//
RHMFIUU/NAVY IPO WASHDC//60//
RUEAHQA/OSAF WASHDC//IA/IAE/IAQ/X00-CA//
RUEKDIA/HQDA WASHDC//SAUS-IA-DSB//
RUEADWD/DA WASHINGTON DC//SAAL-NI//
UNCLAS BAKU 000822 

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

STATE FOR L, PM/PPA, EUR/CARC AND EUR/ACE

E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: PREL MASS MARR KTIA AJ
SUBJECT: Embassy Baku Concurrence on FY09 Requests for Section
1206-Funded Projects

UNCLAS BAKU 000822

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

STATE FOR L, PM/PPA, EUR/CARC AND EUR/ACE

E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: PREL MASS MARR KTIA AJ
SUBJECT: Embassy Baku Concurrence on FY09 Requests for Section
1206-Funded Projects


1. (U) As required by the procedures to request Section 1206
funding for FY09, this message provides Chief of Mission concurrence
for the projects by the U.S. European Command for Azerbaijan.


2. (SBU) Azerbaijan is an important partner in the war on
terrorism, as evidenced by its continuing participation in Operation
Enduring Freedom, and its past participation in Operation Iraqi
Freedom and the peacekeeping operation in Kosovo. Moreover,
Azerbaijan provides blanket overflight for U.S. aircraft transiting
to Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as refueling at the commercial
airport in Baku.


3. (SBU) One of the key U.S. interests here is the ability of
Azerbaijan to continue to produce and export hydrocarbon resources
from reserves located offshore in the Caspian Sea. In order to
sustain this flow of energy, Azerbaijan requires maritime security
forces capable of identifying and neutralizing threats at sea. In
addition, the Caspian Sea is a potential corridor for WMD materials
to Iran, and a route for narcotics moving from South/Central Asia to
Russia and Europe. Consequently, the 2009 1206 proposals focus on
providing increased capacity to the Azerbaijan Naval Commando Unit
(Unit 641) and the ships that could potentially deliver them to a
target. Post is not aware of any credible evidence of gross
violations of human rights by Unit 641.


4. (U) The 2009 Azerbaijan proposals for 1206 funding consist of:


A. (SBU) Azerbaijan Naval Commando Unit Counter-terrorism training
and equipment (estimated USD 4 million). As part of its NATO
Individual Partnership Action Plan, Azerbaijan has pledged to
increase the capability of its naval forces to interdict
transnational threats on the Caspian Sea, and to assist in the fight
against terrorism. Toward this end, the Ministry of Defense has
worked closely with the United States Department of Defense for the
past two years to increase the response capabilities of Azerbaijani
navy divers and naval commandos as part of the Caspian Maritime
Security program. Azerbaijani divers and naval commandos have
received U.S. training, equipment, and familiarization on
interdiction techniques against surface vessels suspected of
carrying contraband on the Caspian Sea, as well as training to react
to terrorist acts against energy infrastructure. The program
intends to continue training with the Blackwater Corporation to
sustain the Naval Commandos' current level of tactical skills with
new entry training; develop their capability to conduct operational
planning and command control; and develop the Azerbaijan Navy's
capability to sustain the unit by developing its own program of New
Entry Training. This program will also focus on close quarters
battle training and explosive ordnance disposal training and
equipment. No lethal military equipment would be provided under
this training program.


B. (U) Ship engine upgrade assessment (estimated USD 10,000). In
order to be able to deter and respond to threats on the Caspian Sea,
as well as deploy and employ the Azerbaijan Naval Commando Unit, the
Navy must upgrade their ship capability for sustained operations on
the Caspian Sea. This assessment will determine the current
capability of the Naval ships and which areas need improvement.

LU