US embassy cable - 05YEREVAN1084

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 001084 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, IO, DRL 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, KUNR, AM 
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: REFORMING THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS 
COMMISSION 
 
REF: A. A) STATE 111657 
 
     B. B)YEREVAN 997 
 
Classified By: DCM A.F.Godfrey for reasons 1.4 (b,d). 
 
1. (C) Post delivered reftel talking points to MFA 
International Organizations Department Chief Valery Mkrtumyan 
on June 21.  Mkrtumyan said that the GOAM supports the idea 
of a standing, solutions-oriented council.  He warned, 
however, that most of our points would require additional 
"deliberation" beyond the current timeframe.  (Note: Armenia 
developed its policy on UN reform in Yerevan during a 
conclave of senior diplomats in Yerevan May 30-31 (reftel B). 
End Note.)  Mkrtumyan asserted the GOAM supports obligatory 
peer review that "carefully examines" member nations and 
provides the "effective action" human rights mandate.  He 
said he had raised the issue with Minister of Foreign Affairs 
Vartan Oskanian and that Yerevan was engaged in detailed 
discussions on the subject with its missions in Geneva and 
New York. 
 
2. (C) Mrtumyan said the GOAM supports a Human Rights Council 
membership structure that follows the membership guidelines 
of the Security Council or ECOSOC.  On total membership, 
however, he disagreed with our points.  In response to the 
proposal that the council should have twenty members he 
responded, "We do not share the U.S. view that membership 
should be limited to twenty; we want equitable and geographic 
distribution of representation, although we will try to be 
flexible."  After some prodding, it became clear that the MFA 
was suggesting that the council have no fewer than the 
current 53 members who are part of the UNHRC.  Mkrtumyan also 
said the GOAM supports restrictions on "concurrent membership 
in the major structures," limiting any country from holding a 
seat on the Security Council, ECOSOC and the proposed Human 
Rights Council at the same time.  He agreed that this might 
not be a realistic scenario for countries (like the US and EU 
countries) who are active in all three areas, but suggested 
nonetheless that the GOAM would stick to this point during 
upcoming discussions. 
 
3. (C) Comment:  Mkrtumyan's response confirms our suspicion 
that the GOAM is approaching UN reform issues in terms of how 
small countries -- like Armenia -- can retain seats on 
important UN bodies.  Mkrtumyan felt compelled to make a 
connection between the issue of UNHRC reform and discussions 
surrounding the UNSC.  Since Yerevan has traditionally 
deferred to its mission in Geneva on these issues, a firm USG 
approach in Geneva will be necessary if we are to move them 
closer to our position on the technical aspects of this 
subject. 
EVANS