Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04YEREVAN1639
2004-07-23 12:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:  

59TH UNGA -- ARMENIA'S MOSTLY FAVORABLE RESPONSE

Tags:  PREL ECON PHUM KDEM AORC UNGA UN 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 001639 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE, IO, DRL, G/TIP
EUR/CACEN FOR EUGENIA SIDEREAS
IO/UNP FOR BRIAN NARANJO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECON PHUM KDEM AORC UNGA UN
SUBJECT: 59TH UNGA -- ARMENIA'S MOSTLY FAVORABLE RESPONSE
TO USG INITIATIVES

REF: STATE 152009

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 001639

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE, IO, DRL, G/TIP
EUR/CACEN FOR EUGENIA SIDEREAS
IO/UNP FOR BRIAN NARANJO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECON PHUM KDEM AORC UNGA UN
SUBJECT: 59TH UNGA -- ARMENIA'S MOSTLY FAVORABLE RESPONSE
TO USG INITIATIVES

REF: STATE 152009


1. (U) Sensitive But Unclassified. Please treat
accordingly.

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


2. (SBU) We delivered reftel demarche on USG initiatives at
the 59th UNGA to MFA International Organizations Acting
Division Chief Artak Apitonian July 20. Apitonian predicted
that the GOAM would support the majority of the USG
initiatives, and was upbeat regarding potential cooperation
on economic issues and a possible anti-trafficking
resolution. He said, however, that the USG should not
expect a shift in the GOAM's approach toward UNGA Middle
East resolutions this year. End Summary.

--------------
ADVANCING ECONOMIC FREEDOM
--------------


3. (SBU) Apitonian said the GOAM was mostly in agreement
with the USG's approach to economic issues at UNGA. He said
that the GOAM looked to the UN to encourage countries to
focus their domestic policies on the goals of the Monterrey
Consensus of 2002. He said that the GOAM shares the same
vision regarding good governance and economic development in
the country. He cited Armenia's Poverty Reduction Strategy
Paper (PRSP),the recent discussions of the U.S.-Armenia
Task Force on Economic Cooperation (USATF) and the country's
eligibility for Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) funding
as evidence of the GOAM's commitment to the principles of
the Monterrey Consensus and USG economic policy initiatives.
Apitonian hinted that FM Vartan Oskanian's address to the
UNGA this year would focus on these themes. He also
suggested that Armenia's Ambassador to the UN, Armen
Martirosian, was more engaged than his predecessors on
economic issues and said the USG might find him a more eager
partner on economic policies.

--------------
COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
--------------


4. (SBU) Apitonian said that Armenia would be supportive of
resolutions addressing the issue of trafficking of persons
at UNGA. He indicated that the GOAM was anxious to portray
itself as an ally in the fight against trafficking in
persons in the UN and other international arenas as part of
its ongoing work with the USG on the issue. Apitonian noted
that Armenia defines a minor as anyone under the age of 18.
He said that Armenia's ambition to join the UN Commission on
Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and would enhance its
international efforts in trafficking in persons and hinted
that the GOAM would approach the USG for its support in

2005.

--------------
PROMOTING DEMOCRACY
--------------


5. (SBU) Apitonian echoed earlier positive comments about
USG initiatives at the UN to promote democracy and
governance. He said the GOAM was anxious to continue its
current role with respect to the Democracy Caucus and said
the GOAM viewed itself as a model among its regional
neighbors in this regard.

--------------
BAN ON HUMAN CLONING
--------------


6. (SBU) Apitonian noted the GOAM's confusion as to when the
topic of human cloning might be discussed at UNGA. He said
that, despite conflicting information from some governments,
the GOAM was operating under the assumption that it would be
part of the 60th UNGA and not included in discussions this
year. He was well aware of the Costa Rican resolution and,
while non-committal, suggested that Armenia's Mission in New
York had not appeared enthusiastic about lending its
support.

--------------
MIDDLE EAST RESOLUTIONS
--------------


7. (SBU) Apitonian reviewed Armenia's voting record on
Middle East resolutions during last year's UNGA and
predicted that the GOAM and would not go far beyond this
position during the 59th UNGA. While still too early to
make a commitment either way, he said that an abstention
from the GOAM was likely in most of these cases raised in
the demarche. He noted, however, that there was increasing
caution within the MFA about the GOAM's position on any
resolution (at UNGA, the OSCE or within other international
fora) regarding the situation in the Middle East that might
be interpreted as applicable to the conflict with Azerbaijan
over Nagorno-Karabakh.

--------------
ARMENIAN INITIATIVES
--------------


8. (SBU) Apitonian said the GOAM was still hopeful in its
efforts at the UN regarding "2005 as the Year of Prevention
of Genocide and War Crimes." He said that a joint
initiative among CIS countries in commemoration of World War
II could change the focus of the GOAM's efforts. GOAM
bureaucrats in New York and Yerevan are examining
possibilities for combining the issues, Apitonian noted.


9. (U) Embassy POC is Political/Economic Officer Aaron
Sherinian (SherinianAH@state.gov).
ORDWAY