ARMENIA ON MIDDLE EAST ACTIONS AT UNGA

UNCLAS YEREVAN 002828

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE, IO, DRL
EUR/CACEN FOR EUGENIA SIDEREAS AND MARGARET PAWLICK
IO/UNP FOR BRIAN NARANJO
IO/PPC FOR MIRIAM HUGHES
EUR/PGI FOR NERISSA COOK

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KPAL PREL IS AM UNSC UNGA
SUBJECT: ARMENIA ON MIDDLE EAST ACTIONS AT UNGA

REF: STATE 325119


1. (U) Sensitive But Unclassified. Please treat
accordingly - not for internet distribution.


2. (SBU) In response to reftel demarche request,
Armenian MFA United Nations Division Chief Artak
Apitonian told us November 26 that Armenia would
likely abstain from the December 2 vote on the
proposed UN Division of Palestine Rights. He said,
however, that the GOAM would find it more difficult
to abstain from the vote on the Committee on the
Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the
Palestinian People given current pressure on
Armenia's Mission in New York from NAM countries to
offer "at least a symbolic nod" on the issue. He
suggested that the GOAM could change its mind in
favor of the USG position but that decision-making
authority on this issue resided in Armenia's New
York mission.


3. (SBU) Apitonian said the GOAM would not likely
support ICJ involvement in the Middle East issues at
UNGA, especially since Armenia was not a party to
the Treaty of Rome. He called the issue of
credentials "particularly annoying" and indicated
that the GOAM would support the USG in opposing the
proposed amendment.

ORDWAY