REACTION FROM YEREVAN, ARMENIA: PRESS

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001369

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR INR/R/MR-STHIBEAULT, EUR/PPD-MLOGSDON AND
SRUEDY, EUR/CACEN-ESIDEREAS, EUR, EUR/ACE, EUR/SNEC,
EUR/SE

E.O. 12958; N/A
TAGS: KMDR OPRC PGOV PREL KPAO AM
SUBJECT: REACTION FROM YEREVAN, ARMENIA: PRESS
CONFERENCE OF AMBASSADOR JOHN ORDWAY


1. SUMMARY: All mass media widely covered Ambassador
John Ordway's press conference held on June 17. Almost
all TV and newspaper reports were accurate and factual.
The majority of the newspapers quoted the Ambassador
without any comments. All the newspapers noted that
there will be the final press conference before the
Ambassador's departure to Kazakhstan, so the
journalists expect a kind of wrap up of the
Ambassador's activities in Armenia at the last press
conference. The main topics discussed this time were
resolution of the Karabakh conflict, efficiency of the
Minsk group activities, the internal political
situation in the country, the upcoming NATO (PfP)
exercise in Azerbaijan, as well as other issues. The
following is a summary of some of the articles. END
SUMMARY

U.S. DOES NOT SPONSOR POLITICAL PARTIES

2. Newspaper of the "Constitutional Right" Union
IRAVUNK (06/18) wrote a short report with the
conclusion: "Despite his intention not to assess
Armenia's internal political situation, the Ambassador
said that they are glad that the recent rallies were
peaceful and only a few people were detained for their
political views."

U.S. IS STRONGLY AGAINST RESOLUTION BY FORCE. IT WILL
SUPPORT PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT


3. Pro-governmental HAYOTS ASHKHAR (06/18) gave a
balanced coverage of the press conference. "The
Ambassador was asked whether the U.S. supports step-by-
step or package resolution of the Karabakh conflict.
The Ambassador's answer was more than diplomatic and a
little bit unexpected for those who wanted to hear that
the only way to resolve the conflict is the package
approach. The Ambassador said that they would support
any version, which would allow the parties to reach an
agreement and establish lasting peace and stability in
the region."

ORDWAY'S NEXT TO LAST PRESS CONFERENCE


4. Oppositionist Armenian daily HAYKAKAN ZHAMANAK
(06/18) started its article with humor regarding
Ambassador Ordway's departure to Kazakhstan. "Now
nothing threatens the departure of Ambassador Ordway to
Kazakhstan, since during yesterday's press conference
the Ambassador did not make any predictions regarding
the presidential election in the United Stares, as it
could have deprived him of his diplomatic status."

ORDWAY DOES NOT HURRY TO SUM UP


5. Russian language independent newspaper NOVOYE VREMYA
(06/19) published an article discussing the recent
press conferences and different statements made by
Ambassador Ordway. "The monthly press conferences by
John Ordway, in spite of their protocol character, give
reason to assume that the Ambassador is deeply familiar
with the different processes taking place in our
country. His balanced and adequate assessments witness
that the Ambassador wants to leave good memories after
him. At least he has not made the kind of statements
for which the British Ambassador became `famous.'
Ordway likewise avoided bows addressed to either the
authorities or the opposition."

ORDWAY