US embassy cable - 04YEREVAN2156

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 002156 
 
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 EVANS 
 
 
1.  SUMMARY: All mass media widely covered the first 
press conference of Ambassador John Evans held on 
September 15.  Virtually all TV stations commented on 
the unique format of the press conference (the heads of 
all the sections of the U.S. mission in Armenia were 
present).  All TV stations showed the introduction of 
the press conference, where Ambassador Evans made 
welcoming remarks in Armenian.  The newspapers also 
paid special attention to both these facts, and carried 
some other commentary as well. 
The following is the summary of those articles. END 
SUMMARY 
 
THE ANSWER TO THE PROVOCATIVE QUESTION 
 
1. Pro-Kocharian HAYOTS ASHKHAR daily (09/16) commented 
on the Ambassador's answer to a "provocative" question, 
as he put it, regarding the connection of his name with 
possible revolutionary activities in Armenia [as a 
parallel with recent events in Georgia].  "John Evans, 
half-joking and half-seriously, refused to accept the 
`invitation' to participate in the revolutionary games 
of the radical opposition.  Talking about the 
settlement of the Karabakh conflict, Evans evaded 
predicting the prospect for settlement of the conflict 
thus diplomatically avoiding the question." 
 
THE U.S. AMBASSADOR PRESENTED HIMSELF TO THE MASS MEDIA 
 
2. Opposition newspaper ARAVOT (09/16) referred to the 
presentation of the Embassy section heads in the press 
conference as well as some of the Ambassador's answers 
regarding the Karabakh conflict.  "The newly appointed 
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans organized his 
first meeting with the journalists in a unique way.  He 
introduced his whole staff to the journalists, 
referring to the responsibilities and merits of each of 
them."  "John Evans' judgment on the Karabakh conflict 
was as old as the conflict itself.  The U.S. as an 
official Minsk group co-chair will do its best to 
support the negotiation process but the conflicting 
sides should come up with the final settlement 
themselves." 
 
EVANS WAS CAREFUL AT HIS FIRST CONFERENCE 
 
3. Radical oppositionist HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK daily 
(09/16) carried an overall positive impression of the 
press conference, paying special attention to the 
Ambassador's personality.  "Embellishing his first 
press conference with such memories John Evans 
presented the goals and objectives of the U.S.  However 
during the whole conference John Evans abstained from 
making announcements on sharp issues and giving 
assessments.  Mr. Evans used the most neutral and 
hackneyed answers in response to the questions related 
to the opening of the Armenia-Turkish border, Armenia- 
NATO relations, and the development of democracy in 
Armenia.  However it should be noted that the new U.S. 
Ambassador to Armenia made a good impression on people, 
he was not inferior to his predecessor John Ordway in 
the sense of being attractive and polite, and he was 
even smiling a little bit more, at least at first 
sight." 
 
WE HIGHLY APPRECIATE ARMENIA'S ASSISTANCE ON THE IRAQ 
ISSUE 
 
4. Centrist AZG (09/16) daily commented on the way the 
Ambassador answered the questions.  "The newly 
appointed U.S. Ambassador gave diplomatically brilliant 
answers, i.e. saying everything, he specified nothing. 
It goes without saying that the Ambassador's first 
meeting with the journalists was aimed at examining 
them." 
 
I AM CONTINUING THE JOB I STARTED 15 YEARS AGO 
 
5. Independent Russian language weekly NOVOYE VREMYA 
(09/18) carried a very positive commentary on the press 
conference.  "The reaction of the local mass media was 
positive - the journalists liked Evans though some 
opposition newspapers note with disappointment that the 
American diplomat was too careful.  There is a portion 
of truth in that, though carefulness could fully be 
considered as restraint with which the Ambassador was 
answering the questions."  "Most of all the opposition 
press was disappointed with the Ambassador's statement 
on progress in practically all spheres in Armenia - be 
it the economy or the formation of democratic 
institutions. They immediately described this phrase as 
`hackneyed.'"  "On the other hand Evans' portfolio [of 
previous assignments] leads to the conclusion that 
`senseless' and `hackneyed' formulations are not 
typical of him.  Even before coming to Armenia Evans 
stated more than once that the main purpose of his 
mission is cooperation in the fields of security, 
stability and economic development in Armenia.  Evans 
communicated with the press with great responsibility. 
He introduced each member of his `new group.'  Speaking 
of his `assistants' and `deputies' he was trying to get 
people to understand that the people representing the 
U.S. in Armenia had been selected with great care.  He 
flattered the press with his confession: `I consider 
journalists as my colleagues.'"   "It seems to me that 
I am continuing the job I started 15 years ago," noted 
the Ambassador, humbly not mentioning that in 1988 the 
Soviet Government of Armenia awarded him a medal for 
his efforts" [working on relief after the 1988 
earthquake]. 
 
GODFREY