LETTER FROM THE MFA ON ARMENIA'S CANDIDACY

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001837 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, IO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM AM UN SUBJECT: LETTER FROM THE MFA ON ARMENIA'S CANDIDACY FOR THE CCPCJ ¶1. (U) Sensitive But Unclassified. Please treat accordingly. -------------- TEXT OF LETTER FROM MFA -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs transmitted the following letter to the Embassy. The English- language text of the letter follows. Begin Text: July 29, 2004 Yerevan, Armenia The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in Yerevan and has the honor to inform that the Government of Armenia has decided to present its candidature to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice for the period 2006- 2008 at the elections to be held during the organizational session of ECOSOC in April-May, 2005 in New York. The Government of Armenia attaches utmost importance to uncompromising fight against crime in all its manifestations, especially the organized crime and terrorism and has embraced an ambitious agenda to ensure the rule of law and criminal justice in the country. The Government of Armenia has adopted decisive anti-corruption and anti-human trafficking strategy programs. Armenia is an active participant to various regional organizations and projects aimed at fighting terrorism, corruption and transnational organized crime. By presenting its candidature to CCPCJ Armenia expects to gain an opportunity for cooperation in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice for the benefit of [the] wider international community. The Government of Armenia hopes that in the spirit of friendly relations and mutual cooperation existing between the two countries, the US Government will be in a position to extend its valuable support to the candidature of Armenia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America in Yerevan the assurances of its highest consideration. End text. ¶4. (SBU) MFA contacts have commented to us that the GOAM wants to assert itself as a "positive force" at ECOSOC and that it views its CCPCJ candidature as a serious step in this direction. Point of contact at Post is Political Officer Aaron Sherinian (SherinianAH@state.gov). GODFREY