US embassy cable - 04YEREVAN660

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Identifier:	04YEREVAN660
Wikileaks:	View 04YEREVAN660 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Yerevan
Created:	2004-03-18 14:07:00
Classification:	CONFIDENTIAL
Tags:	PREL AORC PHUM AM UN
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 000660 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN, IO/UN, EUR/PGI, WHA/CCA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2014 
TAGS: PREL, AORC, PHUM, AM, UN 
SUBJECT: ARMENIAN RESPONSE TO USG PRIORITIES FOR UNCHR-60 
 
REF: A) STATE 55077 B) NEW YORK 00516 
 
Classified By: Ambassador John Ordway for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) Ambassador raised USG priorities for UNCHR-60 with FM 
Oskanian March 15 per instructions in reftel A.  Oskanian was 
generally non-committal, but promised to review the USG 
proposals on China and Cuba with Armenia's missions in 
Geneva, New York and Washington.  Oskanian hinted that 
Armenia's candidature for the 2005-2007 UNCHR could mean that 
any GOAM support for USG initiatives could be more measured 
than Washington might hope or expect.  While he would not 
commit GOAM support, his comments suggested that the GOAM was 
more likely to support a Cuba resolution than the China 
resolution. 
 
2. (C) Comment:  Oskanian's comments contrasted with earlier 
signals from mid-level MFA officials.  Earlier hints for 
greater support during this year's UNCHR, specifically for 
the Cuba resolution, appear to have lost steam.  While MFA 
contacts are not hiding their disappointment with the USG's 
quiet response thus far to Armenia's UNCHR candidature, we 
can safely assume that this is only partially responsible for 
this change in posture.  There appears to be real concern 
among GOAM officials at some level about Armenia's 
candidature for the UNCHR.  Armenia's highest priority is to 
avoid a loss of face in the re-election campaign and they are 
undoubtedly keeping a close eye on where the votes are.  Our 
contacts continue to stress the importance of Yerevan's role 
in UN-related issues.  GOAM representatives in Geneva and New 
York are reportedly now taking a back seat to the MFA's newly 
appointed Director of Multilateral Affairs on important 
policy decisions.  We will listen closely for signals from 
the MFA regarding the Cuba resolution after the Department's 
March 15 meeting with Ambassadors in Washington.  End comment. 
WALKER