Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04YEREVAN2113
2004-09-24 10:56:00
SECRET
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:  

FM TAPS SPECIAL ADVISOR AS NEXT AMBASSADOR TO IRAN

Tags:  PREL PGOV IR AM 
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S E C R E T YEREVAN 002113

SIPDIS

EUR/CACEN FOR EUGENIA SIDEREAS

E.O. 12958: DNG: CO 09/24/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV IR AM
SUBJECT: FM TAPS SPECIAL ADVISOR AS NEXT AMBASSADOR TO IRAN

REF: YEREVAN 2019

Classified By: DCM AF Godfrey for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

(S) Karen Nazarian, Special Advisor to Armenia's Foreign
Minister, told us September 24 that FM Vartan Oskanian had
asked him to serve as Armenia's next Ambassador to Iran. He
said the information was still extremely close-hold and that
only the President, FM and a handful within the MFA were
aware of the decision. Nazarian claimed that the news came
as a surprise to him, but linked it to his role in
successfully managing the MFA's role in three recently
announced bi-lateral energy and infrastructure projects --
the Armenia-Iran gas pipeline, thermal water station and
Kajaran Pass tunnel (reftel). Nazarian appeared confident
that the nomination would gain approval from President
Kocharian's office, especially in light of Nazarian's
multiple trips to Tehran accompanying the President. He said
that Iran issues were becoming increasingly important within
the MFA as demonstrated by the recent state visit by Iranian
President Khatami and MFA's choice to promote Armenia's
current Ambassador to Iran, Geram Garibdzhanian, to the post
of Deputy Minister (the MFA has not confirmed the news
regarding Garibdzhanian, although press reports continue to
rumor the move).
EVANS