US embassy cable - 05YEREVAN2094

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 002094 
 
SIPDIS 
 
EUR/PPD-CFITZGERALD, JBASEDOW, EUR/CACEN-JDEHART, KWITMER 
 
E.O. 12958; N/A 
TAGS: KMDR, OPRC, KPAO, AM 
SUBJECT: ARMENIA: MEDIA REACTION TO U.S. RESPONSE TO 
REFERENDUM 
 
SUMMARY 
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1. U.S. Embassy Yerevan posted a response to Armenia's 
November 27 constitutional referendum on its website based 
upon cleared press guidance from the Department.  The 
response received extensive coverage in the Armenian press. 
Reports varied, with some outlets presenting the response as 
questioning the legitimacy of the referendum results, some 
portraying the response as less critical of the results, and 
one outlet calling the response "balanced."  One pro- 
government newspaper quoted the GOAM press secretary as 
complaining that the U.S. response was "incorrect" in that 
the Central Election Commission (CEC), not the GOAM, reports 
voter turnout figures. END SUMMARY. 
 
SOME SOURCES PRESENT RESPONSE AS QUESTIONING THE RESULTS... 
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2. Some media outlets presented the U.S. response as 
questioning the legitimacy of the results of the referendum. 
"Armenia Liberty," RFE/RL's Armenian Service, published an 
article on its website entitled "U.S. Echoes Questions About 
Armenian Poll Result."  The article states, "The United 
States joined European observers on Tuesday in raising 
serious questions about the credibility of the official 
results of Armenia's weekend constitutional referendum..." 
The article quotes the U.S. response as saying, "We share 
the regret of the Council of Europe, whose observers called 
into serious question the voter turnout figures for the 
referendum reported by the Armenian Government."  RFE/RL's 
main website drew a similar conclusion about the text.  The 
article states, "The U.S. State Department's Bureau of 
Europe and Eurasian Affairs expressed similar concerns [to 
those of the Council of Europe] in a statement released on 
29 November.  The statement, which was posted on the website 
of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, calls upon the Armenian 
government 'to investigate Council of Europe observer 
reports of serious abuses and fraud.'" 
 
...WHILE OTHERS PORTRAY IT AS LESS CRITICAL OF THE VOTE 
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3. Other media outlets presented the U.S. response as less 
critical of the referendum results.  Azg, a center-right 
daily, stated, "The constitutional amendments are supported 
by European organizations as well as the U.S.  This must be 
the reason why the West, the advocate of democratic values, 
closed its eyes to flagrant falsifications of the November 
27 vote."  "Mediamax," an independent news agency that is 
considered pro-government, published the full text of the 
U.S. response with the subtitle, "U.S. recognizes the 
substance of the provisions considered by the referendum as 
potentially strengthening democratic institutions in 
Armenia." 
 
NEWSPAPER CALLS REACTION "BALANCED" BUT REMAINS CRITICAL 
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4. "Haykakan Zhamanak," a tabloid daily, published an 
article stating, "It can be said that the State Department's 
statement was 'balanced,' as was the statement of the 
Council of Europe monitors:  three items refer to violations 
committed during the voting, and three note the bright 
future that will be realized as a result of collaboration 
with President Kocharian."  The newspaper, however, remained 
critical of the United States and the Council of Europe for 
supporting the amendments.  The article states, "But as it 
has already been mentioned, western countries with objective 
reasons have given up on the opposition, and thus are 
condemned to collaborating with President Kocharian.  This 
is the only explanation for why the United States and the 
Council of Europe have stated that they cannot evaluate the 
results of the referendum until it is clear how many people 
voted.  Instead, they are talking about the 2007-2008 
elections and international standards.  This means that if 
the Armenian people tolerate the results of this 
collaboration between the West and President Kocharian, the 
same situation will be repeated during the 2007-2008 
elections, and this collaboration might continue 
indefinitely." 
 
"HAYOTS ASHKHAR" NOTES CEC, NOT GOAM, ANNOUNCES TURNOUT 
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5. "Hayots Ashkhar," a pro-government daily, quoted the 
Government of Armenia press secretary as complaining that, 
according to Armenian law, voter turnout is determined by 
the CEC, not the GOAM as the U.S. Embassy text stated.  The 
article says that, according to the press secretary, the 
GOAM and the CEC are different state bodies and the 
government is not authorized to publicize the results of the 
referendum.  (Note:  Members of the CEC are government 
employees and their salaries are paid from the state budget. 
The U.S. Embassy added a footnote to its response stating, 
"Specifically, the Armenian Central Election Commission 
reports voter turnout figures for the referendum."  End 
Note.) 
 
EVANS