Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03YEREVAN3032
2003-12-18 12:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:  

GOAM SIGNALS AGREEMENT FOR DEPLOYMENT OF TRUCK

Tags:  PGOV PREL MOPS AM 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 003032 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, PM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2013
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS AM
SUBJECT: GOAM SIGNALS AGREEMENT FOR DEPLOYMENT OF TRUCK
COMPANY TO IRAQ

REF: A. STATE 318113


B. YEREVAN 02668

C. YEREVAN 02883

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN ORDWAY FOR REASONS 1.5 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 003032

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, PM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2013
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS AM
SUBJECT: GOAM SIGNALS AGREEMENT FOR DEPLOYMENT OF TRUCK
COMPANY TO IRAQ

REF: A. STATE 318113


B. YEREVAN 02668

C. YEREVAN 02883

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN ORDWAY FOR REASONS 1.5 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified the
Embassy by diplomatic note that the GOAM had agreed to the
deployment of cargo-carrying trucks to stability operations
in Iraq. Foreign Minister Oskanyan confirmed to the
Ambassador that the Ministry of Defense was in the process of
collecting military trucks for use in Iraq. The Ambassador
suggested that Armenian military experts be sent to CENTCOM
in Tampa, Florida, or that the MOD provide the Armenian
liaison officer at CENTCOM with specific technical questions
to speed the deployment process. End summary.


2. (C) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a diplomatic note
dated December 16 to the Embassy stating that the "Government
of the Republic of Armenia agrees to meet the request of the
American side( and agrees to designate an Armenia
cargo-carrying company to participate in operation Iraqi
Freedom II" (NOTE: Foreign Minister Oskanyan confirmed to
the Ambassador that the military unit under discussion was
the truck company as requested in ref A. END NOTE.) The
diplomatic note further stated that the MFA "suggests
arranging a meeting between the representatives of the
Government of the Republic of Armenia and the United States
Embassy to discuss technical and procedural details."


3. (C) The Ambassador met with Foreign Minister Oskanyan
December 17 and discussed the possible deployment. Oskanyan
informed the Ambassador that the Ministry of Defense was in
the process of collecting the requested units, an effort that
"might take time." In order to speed the process, the
Ambassador reiterated the suggestion he had made earlier to
Defense Minister Sargsyan that the MOD dispatch specialists
to CENTCOM in Tampa, Florida to assist in the pre-deployment
process, or that the MOD provide the Armenian liaison officer
already at CENTCOM with a list of technical questions
regarding the trucks to present to CENTCOM officials.
Oskanyan also noted that the GOAM had yet to conclude a
Status of Forces Agreement with Kuwait, though negotiations
were ongoing.


4. (C) The Embassy had pressed the GOAM to agree to the
deployment (refs A and B). The Ambassador discussed the
possible deployment with Defense Minister Sargsyan and with
leading Armenian Diaspora members who subsequently intervened
directly with President Kocharian and the Defense Minister.
During visits in November, General Charles Wald, Deputy
Commander of EUCOM, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
Lynn Pascoe separately requested the Armenian deployment with
senior GOAM officials (ref C).


5. (U) HQ Coalition Baghdad Minimize Considered.
ORDWAY