US embassy cable - 05YEREVAN1934

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 001934 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, AM 
SUBJECT: A/S FRIED'S MEETING WITH NA SPEAKER BAGHDASARIAN 
 
Classified By: Amb. John M. Evans for reasons 1.4 (b,d). 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1. (C) During his October 18 meeting with National Assembly 
Speaker Artur Baghdasarian, Assistant Secretary Fried 
discussed democratic reform in the South Causasus, Armenia's 
relationship with Russia and regional security.  A/S Fried 
urged Armenia to accelerate democratic reforms and closer 
relations with Europe.  Complaints from Moscow 
notwithstanding, neither of these goals should be seen as 
adverse to Armenia's strong relations with Russia. 
 
USG Participants: 
 
EUR Assistant Secretary Daniel Fried 
Ambassador John Evans 
Ambassador Steven Mann 
EUR/SNEC Deputy Director Elizabeth Rood 
Yerevan Pol/Econ notetaker 
 
End Summary. 
 
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"HISTORY IS ACCELERATING" 
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2. (C) Commenting that "history is accelerating," A/S Fried 
noted that not only are forces of reform more active 
throughout the region, but also forces of reaction. 
Commenting that "I don't hide that we support forces of 
reform," A/S Fried continued to reassure Baghdasarian that 
the USG does not support revolution, although reform and 
democracy "is on everyone's mind in a way it wasn't three to 
four years ago."  Pointing out that reform is what people 
talk about in Washington, Fried told Baghdasarian that he was 
in Yerevan "because Armenian/American relations can develop 
faster than they have."  "We want to see Armenia develop as a 
partner in this part of the world," Fried said. 
 
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NOT IN COMPETITION WITH RUSSIA 
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3. (C) While acknowledging Armenia's "unique attribute," its 
genuine friendship with Russia for historical reasons, Fried 
urged Armenia to develop stronger ties with Europe and the 
U.S.  "We will never tell you that you have to choose.  What 
the Russians tell you is up to them."  While Fried commented 
that Russia "sometimes thinks we are trying to surround 
them," in reality the USG has more important issues than 
trying to surround Russia with democratic countries. 
Baghdasarian noted, however, that Russian influence would 
inevitably decline as Armenia acts on its need to enhance its 
relations with the U.S. and improve Euro-Atlantic 
cooperation.  Nonetheless, he noted, having good relations 
with Russia "does not mean they're masters." 
 
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DEMOCRATIC, CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS HIGH ON THE AGENDA 
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4. (C) Agreeing that "serious democratic reforms in Armenia 
and the region" are necessary, Baghdasarian told Fried that 
Armenia is making progress, but needs to take "decisive 
steps."  According to Baghdasarian, Armenia needs to continue 
its reforms because "those people who create obstacles to 
reform are creating pre-revolutionary conditions."  Not 
everyone in Armenia understands the necessity of reform, 
Baghdasarian claimed, noting that Armenia struggles between 
the future and the past.  Constitutional reforms, he 
insisted, were very important in this context.  In order to 
decentralize power (something Baghdasarian was advocating) 
Armenia needs to reduce presidential power while giving a 
larger role to parliament.  Fried agreed that a strong 
parliament was critical, because otherwise corruption "won't 
stop." 
 
5. (C) Noting that "many favor reforms unless they touch on 
their interests," Baghdasarian acknowledged that the process 
was a challenging one.  After 18 months of work the GOAM has 
come up with a draft constitution that is approved by the 
international community, "we need a free and fair referendum" 
Baghdasarian insisted.  Baghdasarian underlined the 
importance of a free society, claiming that, as part of the 
younger generation, "this is our thinking, this is our 
approach." 
 
6. (C) Pointing out that the current constitution creates 
obstacles to reforms, Baghdasarian noted that Armenia needs a 
good legal framework if it is to combat corruption.  Bad 
laws, he said, create "ample ground" for corruption.  Athough 
Baghdasarian noted that the GOAM is taking some measures 
against corruption, he cited the "need to redouble efforts" 
because society was unsatisfied.  Fighting corruption, Fried 
agreed, was "good politics" -- people would vote for 
politicians they think are clean. 
 
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REGIONAL SECURITY KEY 
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7. (C) Baghdasarian told Fried that he saw the future of 
Armenia in good relations with its neighbors.  (Note: 
Baghdasarian mentioned a speech he plans to give at a local 
university soon on the topic of Armenian/Turkish relations. 
End Note.)  According to Baghdasarian, if Armenia has 
"permanent bad relations" with its neighbors it will be 
unable to develop further.  "There is a train taking Turkey 
to the EU, why are we standing on the rails?  We need to take 
our place on that train."  The healthy part of society, 
Baghdasarian said, realizes that Armenia needs a healthy, 
open dialogue with Turkey.  The way to solve problems, he 
insisted, is to have a dialogue, and he mentioned his own 
cooperation with his Turkish counterpart in this context. 
Noting that Armenia could make serious progress with Turkey 
only after N-K was somehow resolved, Fried pointed out that 
Turkey was "beginning to think in new ways about its history 
with Armenia." 
 
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HOPE AND CONFIDENCE ON N-K 
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8. (C) Insisting that, "In the long run, democracy will equal 
peace," Baghdasarian told Fried that he thought the parties 
were "very close to a solution to the N-K conflict."  Noting 
that in 2006, following successful elections in Azerbaijan 
and preceding the next elections in Armenia, there will be a 
window of opportunity for solving the conflict, Baghdasarian 
emphasized that the Role of the U.S. would be very important 
in creating a democratic South Caucasus with no conflicts and 
with a free market. 
 
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"EUROPE WILL CATCH UP WITH YOU" 
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9. (C) If Armenia focuses on necessary democratic and other 
reforms, Europe will catch up, Fried noted.  Baghdasarian 
agreed, and claimed that the "extension of the EU is 
inevitable; this region is a matter of interest and of 
concern, but of growing interest." 
 
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DEMOCRATIC ARMENIA A STRONG ARMENIA 
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10. (C) Commenting that he would borrow A/S Fried's quote 
that "A democratic Armenia would be a stronger Armenia," 
Baghdasarian acknowledged that there is a need to educate 
Armenian society on these principles, and noted that the more 
legitimate the government, the more confident the government, 
and then Armenia could move to solve N-K.  Everything, 
Baghdasarian insisted, "depends on fair elections." 
 
11. (U) EUR/FO has cleared this message. 
EVANS