US embassy cable - 04YEREVAN1369

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001369 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR INR/R/MR-STHIBEAULT, EUR/PPD-MLOGSDON AND 
SRUEDY, EUR/CACEN-ESIDEREAS, EUR, EUR/ACE, EUR/SNEC, 
EUR/SE 
 
E.O. 12958; N/A 
TAGS: KMDR, OPRC, PGOV, PREL, KPAO, AM 
SUBJECT: REACTION FROM YEREVAN, ARMENIA: PRESS 
CONFERENCE OF AMBASSADOR JOHN ORDWAY 
 
1.  SUMMARY: All mass media widely covered Ambassador 
John Ordway's press conference held on June 17.  Almost 
all TV and newspaper reports were accurate and factual. 
The majority of the newspapers quoted the Ambassador 
without any comments.  All the newspapers noted that 
there will be the final press conference before the 
Ambassador's departure to Kazakhstan, so the 
journalists expect a kind of wrap up of the 
Ambassador's activities in Armenia at the last press 
conference.  The main topics discussed this time were 
resolution of the Karabakh conflict, efficiency of the 
Minsk group activities, the internal political 
situation in the country, the upcoming NATO (PfP) 
exercise in Azerbaijan, as well as other issues.  The 
following is a summary of some of the articles. END 
SUMMARY 
 
U.S. DOES NOT SPONSOR POLITICAL PARTIES 
2. Newspaper of the "Constitutional Right" Union 
IRAVUNK (06/18) wrote a short report with the 
conclusion: "Despite his intention not to assess 
Armenia's internal political situation, the Ambassador 
said that they are glad that the recent rallies were 
peaceful and only a few people were detained for their 
political views." 
 
U.S. IS STRONGLY AGAINST RESOLUTION BY FORCE. IT WILL 
SUPPORT PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT 
 
3. Pro-governmental HAYOTS ASHKHAR (06/18) gave a 
balanced coverage of the press conference.  "The 
Ambassador was asked whether the U.S. supports step-by- 
step or package resolution of the Karabakh conflict. 
The Ambassador's answer was more than diplomatic and a 
little bit unexpected for those who wanted to hear that 
the only way to resolve the conflict is the package 
approach.  The Ambassador said that they would support 
any version, which would allow the parties to reach an 
agreement and establish lasting peace and stability in 
the region." 
 
ORDWAY'S NEXT TO LAST PRESS CONFERENCE 
 
4. Oppositionist Armenian daily HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK 
(06/18) started its article with humor regarding 
Ambassador Ordway's departure to Kazakhstan.  "Now 
nothing threatens the departure of Ambassador Ordway to 
Kazakhstan, since during yesterday's press conference 
the Ambassador did not make any predictions regarding 
the presidential election in the United Stares, as it 
could have deprived him of his diplomatic status." 
 
ORDWAY DOES NOT HURRY TO SUM UP 
 
5. Russian language independent newspaper NOVOYE VREMYA 
(06/19) published an article discussing the recent 
press conferences and different statements made by 
Ambassador Ordway.  "The monthly press conferences by 
John Ordway, in spite of their protocol character, give 
reason to assume that the Ambassador is deeply familiar 
with the different processes taking place in our 
country.  His balanced and adequate assessments witness 
that the Ambassador wants to leave good memories after 
him.  At least he has not made the kind of statements 
for which the British Ambassador became `famous.' 
Ordway likewise avoided bows addressed to either the 
authorities or the opposition." 
 
ORDWAY