US embassy cable - 05YEREVAN1018

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 001018 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN, IO 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2014 
TAGS: AORC, PHUM, PREL, IS, SZ, AM, ICRC 
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED:  MDA AND CONFERENCE ON THIRD 
PROTOCOL 
 
REF: STATE 104272 
 
Classified By: DCM A.F. Godfrey for reason 1.4 (b,d). 
 
1. (C) Post delivered demarche talking points regarding the 
Israeli National Society (MDA) and International Committee of 
the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement to MFA International 
Organizations Department Chief Valery Mkrtumyan June 9 per 
reftel instructions.  Mrkrtumyan said the GOAM did not have a 
firm policy on integrating Israeli groups like the MDA into 
the ICRC or IFRC structures, but indicated that Foreign 
Minister Vartan Oskanian was aware of the high-profile nature 
of the issue and the sensitivites that would surround any 
future debates.  He said he would raise the issue when he 
spoke with the Foreign Minister (who is travelling in Europe 
and Asia this week) during their next phone conversation. 
The prospect of enhancing the security of humanitarian 
workers piqued the MFA's interest and will likely be the best 
point of departure for any future engagement with them on the 
issue.  Mkrtumyan, while not committing the GOAM to support 
Swiss efforts regarding the late October conference on the 
issue, suggested that Armenia would likely support the 
initiatve -- at a minimum -- as a "way to be friendly to 
Israel despite their recent, unfavorable comments." 
 
2. (C) Comment:  Mkrtumyan was referring to the late 2003 
statements of visiting Israeli officials who chided the 
Armenians for comparing the events of 1915 with those of the 
Holocaust.  The comment indicates that GOAM policymakers 
continue to shape their Israel (and regional) policy by 
factoring in historical issues as much as, or more than, 
current realities in the Middle East.  We are confident that 
the GOAM will put aside any residual hurt feelings over the 
issue and communicate their support to the Swiss in advance 
of the June 17 deadline. 
EVANS