WikiLeaks: Israel, Azerbaijan signed secret security agreements in 2007

PanARMENIAN.Net - WikiLeaks cables reveal details of a meeting between ex-foreign minister of Israel Tzipi Livni and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

On February 16, 2007, Israel's ambassador to Azerbaijan, Arthur Lenk, met with the American ambassador to that country, Anne Derse, in the capital city of Baku. Lenk briefed Derse on a meeting between Israel's foreign minister at the time, Tzipi Livni, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev that had taken place three weeks earlier during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

On February 21, a cable about the meeting was sent from the U.S. Embassy in Baku. According to Derse, in responding to her questions, Lenk informed her that Israel and Azerbaijan had made two security agreements. The cable did not give the details of these agreements.

Lenk also told Derse that Aliyev's security adviser had gone to Israel for medical treatment, and had used the opportunity to meet with deputy defense minister Ephraim Sneh as well as with Mossad representatives.

Israel maintains diplomatic and economic ties with Azerbaijan, which is considered strategically important because of its geographic location in the Caucasus and the makeup of its population. The oil-rich country is located on the Caspian Sea, and borders Iran.

About a quarter of Iran's population is also of Azeri extraction, and Iran and Azerbaijan maintain a respectful but cautious relationship.

About two years ago, a plot by Iranian intelligence officers and Hezbollah to blow up the Israeli Embassy in Baku was foiled thanks to cooperation between Israeli and Azerbaijani intelligence services. Some of those involved in the plot were arrested and later released, while others fled to Iran, Haaretz reported.