US embassy cable - 05YEREVAN666

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Identifier:	05YEREVAN666
Wikileaks:	View 05YEREVAN666 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Yerevan
Created:	2005-04-15 12:18:00
Classification:	CONFIDENTIAL
Tags:	PHUM PREL BO AM CHR
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 000666 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, IO, DRL/MLA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, BO, AM, CHR-1 
SUBJECT: CHR-61:  ARMENIA WON'T SUPPORT US ON BELARUS 
 
REF: A. YEREVAN 661 
 
     B. YEREVAN 521 
 
Classified By: DCM A.F.Godfrey for reason 1.4 (b,d) 
 
1. (C) Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Baibourtian told us 
April 15 that the GOAM would vote in favor of the no-action 
motion on the Belarus resolution at the UNCHR.  Baiburtian 
acknowledged the high-level demarches by the Ambassador and 
an April 6 approach with the local EU Presidency rep (ref a), 
but said that it would support Belarus, a strategic ally for 
Armenia on issues such as Nagorno Karabakh. End Summary. 
 
2. (C) On April 15, DCM met with Deputy Foreign Minister 
Armen Baiburtian in a final attempt to sway the GOAM against 
voting in favor of the no-action motion on the Belarus 
resolution at UNCHR-61. 
 
3. (C) Baiburtian acknowledged the high-level demarches by 
the Ambassador and an April 6 approch with the local EU 
Presidency rep (ref a), but suggested that the decision had 
been made final at a meeting between FM Oskanian and 
President Kocharian.  Armenia will vote to support Belarus on 
the no-action motion.  Baiburtian admitted that the vote had 
little to do with human rights issues, but was a show of 
support to an ally of strategic importance to Armenia on 
Nagorno Karabakh.  Baiburtian averred that Moscow's position 
had not affected Armenia's decision. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
4. (C) Armenia describes its foreign policy as one of 
"complementarity," balancing its aspirations toward 
integration in Euro-Atlantic institutions against ties with 
the Russian Federation and other CIS partners.  During our 
meetings these past three weeks, the MFA has made it clear 
that it views its support for the USG on the Cuba resolution 
at UNCHR as its grand gesture in our favor and they hope it 
will offset any reaction to their vote on Belarus.  Overall, 
the GOAM wants to stake out a reputation of integrity on 
human rights issues, but this vote will undermine them. 
EVANS