VZCZCXYZ0033
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKB #0780/01 1760412
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 250412Z JUN 07
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 3309
RUEASAC/CDRUSASAC ALEX VA//AMSAC-ME//
RHMFIUU/NAVY IPO WASHINGTON DC//60//
RUEAHQA/OSAF WASHDC//IA/IAE/IAQ/X00-CA//
RUEKDIA/HQDA WASHDC//SAUS-IA-DSB//
RUEADWD/DA WASHINGTON DC//SAAL-NI//

UNCLAS BAKU 000780 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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 FY08 Requests for Section 
1206-Funded Projects 
 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. 
 
¶1. (U) The Office of Defense Cooperation at  US Embassy Baku, in 
conjunction with US European Command, has developed several requests 
for funding under section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization 
Act.  The Chief of Mission strongly supports these requests as being 
significant proposed contributions to the war on terror.  As 
required by the procedures to request Section 1206 funding for FY08, 
this message provides Chief of Mission concurrence for the projects 
listed. 
 
¶2. (SBU) With a strategic position on the periphery of the Middle 
East, significant energy reserves, and an ambitious security reform 
agenda, Azerbaijan is an increasingly important partner for the 
United States.  Since September 11, 2001, Azerbaijan has been a 
steadfast partner in the Global War on Terrorism, contributing 
troops to Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo, and providing unlimited 
overflight and landing rights for Coalition planes bound for 
Afghanistan and Iraq.  Azerbaijan has demonstrated both a strong 
will and a growing capacity to support global counterterrorism 
objectives and military and stability operations.  It needs 
targeted, time-sensitive training and equipment to further expand 
its capacity to support these operations. 
 
¶3. (U) With this in mind, the Office of Defense Cooperation, U.S. 
Embassy Azerbaijan, in conjunction with U.S. European Command, has 
developed several requests for Section 1206 funding. 
 
¶A. (SBU) Ground Control Approach Radar (GCA) for Nasosnaya Airfield 
(estimated 5.7M USD). In its Individual Partnership Action Plan 
(IPAP) with NATO, Azerbaijan has committed itself to upgrading a 
military airfield to NATO standards for potential use by alliance or 
coalition aircraft in support of ongoing operations.  Currently the 
U.S. is assisting in developing the airfield by upgrading air 
traffic control systems through FMF.  The next phase of equipment 
upgrade is a Ground Control Approach (GCA).  A GCA would provide for 
radar approach control service to include sequencing and separation 
of aircraft, navigation assistance, and airspace control services 
within the terminal airspace area.  Given current Azeri support for 
Coalition aircraft en route to Afghanistan and Iraq, upgrades at 
Nasosnaya could longer-term provide additional possibilities for 
Azeri support to Coalition activities. 
 
¶B. (U) NATO-Compatible Communications for AZE Mobile Unit. 
(estimated 4.5M USD).  As part of its NATO IPAP, Azerbaijan has 
committed itself to establishing a NATO-Compatible "Mobile 
Battalion" for potential use in NATO operations. Currently, one 
company has been declared for NATO's Operational Capability Concept 
(OCC) and Azerbaijan has stated its intention to declare the company 
for use in the NATO Reaction Force (NRF) by 2009.  As Azerbaijan 
develops the battalion, this 1206 project would provide the unit 
with battalion-level tactical communications. 
 
¶C. (U) Azerbaijan Naval Commando Unit Counter-terrorism training 
(estimated 2M USD).  As part of its NATO IPAP, 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.  To date, training 
has been conducted through Blackwater Corporation.  The program 
intends to continue training with 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. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The 1206 requests listed above are consistent with the 
goals and objectives outlined in our security cooperation programs 
as well as our Mission Strategic Plan. The proposed 1206 projects 
address the objectives of the Caspian Maritime Security Program, 
specifically by developing Azerbaijan's capability for maintaining 
and increasing contributions to coalition and alliance operations, 
and combating terrorism.  They also support Azerbaijan's NATO IPAP 
and hence our long-term security and reform objectives.  The Chief 
of Mission strongly supports the submitted 1206 requests for FY08. 
 
DERSE