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RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0277
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RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0010
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000306 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT PLEASE PASS USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KFLU EAID EAGR MAPP AJ
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT'S CHIEF OF STAFF ON MAY ELECTIONS, JC3, 
AND AVIAN FLU 
 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR RENO L. HARNISH III; REASONS 1.4 (B,D) 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: During a meeting with the Ambassador, 
Presidential Chief of Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev was in general 
agreement with our approach to May parliamentary re-run 
elections, and did not object to NDI/IRI sending observers if 
they were interested.  He also asked to meet with IRI and NDI 
country directors soon to discuss their activity in the 
run-up to the election.  On a Joint Communication and Control 
Center (JC3) for Azerbaijan's Navy and Maritime Border Guard, 
Mehdiyev agreed to work with both agencies' chiefs to 
identify a suitable site.  Mehdiyev also agreed to discuss 
our desire for more action on avian influenza with the head 
of the new Presidential Commission on AI, DPM Abbas Abbasov. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (C) On February 23, Ambassador met with Presidential Chief 
of Staff Ramiz Mehdiyev.  Presidential foreign policy advisor 
Novruz Mammadov and presidential legal advisor Shahin Aliyev 
accompanied Mehdiyev.  Ambassador outlined broadly USG plans 
for the May parliamentary re-run elections.  With the 
bilateral relationship on track, he said, the U.S. goal was 
to have an improved process over the November election.  To 
this end, we would repeat our efforts from the fall, 
including finger inking, a USG-funded exit poll (administered 
by IRI) in the 10 constituencies where voting would take 
place, and USG and international observers.  Mehdiyev and 
Shahin Aliyev asked the Ambassador to verify with IRI and NDI 
their intent to send observers, as the GOAJ wanted to extend 
invitations to them but was reluctant to risk a public 
decline by either organization.  Mehdiyev cautioned that 
local and international organizations should not "be hasty" 
in their assessment of the May election.  However, he 
generally agreed with the USG approach described by the 
Ambassador.  Finally, he asked that the Embassy arrange for 
him meetings with the country directors of NDI and IRI to 
discuss the run-up to the May election. 
 
¶3. (C) On border secuity, Mehdiyev shared the USG's goal of 
increasin Azerbaijan's ability to control its section of th 
Caspian Sea.  The Ambassador pointed out that this goal would 
be simpler if Azerbaijan's Navy and Maritime Border Guard 
worked closely together.  Deputy Prime Minister Eyyubov had 
committed during a visit by a recent USG delegation to locate 
a suitable site for a U.S.-built Joint Communications and 
Control Center.  Eyyubov had also committed to provide the 
USG with a letter requesting Azerbaijani Navy participation 
in the Caspian Guard program.  The Ambassador requested 
Mehdiyev's support, and intervention if necessary, to ensure 
that Eyyubov was able to follow through on his commitments. 
Mehdiyev agreed to follow up with Eyyubov, noting the 
importance Azerbaijan attached to working with the U.S. and 
to controlling its borders. 
 
¶4. (C) Turning to avian influenza, the Ambassador noted the 
Embassy's commitment to help the GOAJ deal with the AI 
threat.  Nevertheless, he noted, there was increasing concern 
that the GOAJ was falling behind on AI.  The Ambassador urged 
Mehdiyev to focus the GOAJ on three vital areas: an active 
surveillance program in the field to determine the extent of 
the threat, a detailed and workable action plan to allow 
donor support to flow where needed, and an effective public 
information campaign.  Mehdiyev noted that the new Avian 
Influenza Commission had just begun its work; it was too 
early to assess its efficacy.  However, he said, the GOAJ was 
stepping up prophylactic measures and putting more 
information out via media.  Mehdiyev underscored that he was 
in constant contact with Deputy Prime Minister Abbas Abbasov, 
who headed the AI Commission.  Mehdiyev also agreed to inform 
President Aliyev and DPM Abbasov of our concern and 
suggestions. 
HARNISH