US embassy cable - 05YEREVAN1263

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 001263 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2015 
TAGS: PREL, AM, UNSC 
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED:  GOAM FAVORS UNSC EXPANSION 
BUT WOULD SUPPORT EFFORTS TO DELAY VOTE 
 
REF: STATE 126870 
 
Classified By: Amb. John M. Evans for reasons 1.4 (b, d). 
 
1. (SBU)  Ambassador delivered reftel demarche points 
regarding UNSC expansion to GOAM Foreign Minister Vartan 
Oskanian on July 13.  Oskanian confirmed initial reports that 
the GOAM has already committed to support the G-4 resolution 
but would also support efforts to delay an early vote. 
According to Oskanian, Armenia will abstain on any competing 
resolution introduced by Italy. 
 
2. (C)  Comment:  Oskanian told the Ambassador that delays in 
articulating clear-cut positions on the resolution, 
particularly from P-5 members U.S., Russia, and China, added 
to pressure from the G-4 to sway Armenian support.  Oskanian 
opined it would have been helpful to have the U.S. and other 
permanent five (P-5) members' positions much earlier.  By 
both openly supporting the resolution and privately 
undertaking to undermine its passage, the GOAM continues to 
approach UN reform issues in terms of how small countries -- 
like Armenia -- can retain seats in some UN bodies and 
leverage influence on others. 
EVANS