Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04YEREVAN2542
2004-11-26 12:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR SCORES ARMENIANS FOR NO-SHOW AT NATO
how-toThis 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 002542
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN AND EUR/SNEC
USNATO FOR UNDERWOOD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2014
TAGS: PREL AM NATO AZ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR SCORES ARMENIANS FOR NO-SHOW AT NATO
SEMINAR
Classified By: DCM A.F.Godfrey for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 002542
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN AND EUR/SNEC
USNATO FOR UNDERWOOD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2014
TAGS: PREL AM NATO AZ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR SCORES ARMENIANS FOR NO-SHOW AT NATO
SEMINAR
Classified By: DCM A.F.Godfrey for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) The decision not to send a delegation to NATO's
Rose-Roth seminar in Baku was "difficult to understand" and
"a mistake" for Armenia." That was the message the
Ambassador delivered to Tigran Torosian, Deputy Speaker of
Armenia's National Assembly (NA) during a November 26 office
call. Torosian told the Ambassador that the decision not to
send the delegation was taken primarily by NA Speaker Artur
Baghdasarian. Baghdasarian had sent a letter to his
counterpart in Baku requesting a personal security guarantee
but had received no direct reply. Torosian admitted that
Baghdasarian's decision seemed to be based as much on his
affront at not receiving a reply as on his concern for the
security of the parliamentarians and staffers slated to
attend the conference. Torosian also whined about Azeri
non-attendance at some earlier events hosted by the National
Assembly in Yerevan.
2. (C) The Ambassador pointed out the many steps that the
USG and NATO had taken to ensure security of all delegations.
Armenia's absence at the conference showed a lack of
readiness to engage. The Ambassador suggested that Armenia
take prompt steps to remedy this mistake, preferably by
Oskanian's agreeing to meet with FM Mammadyarov as soon as
possible.
3. (C) Deputy Foreign Minister Tatul Margarian told us
November 26 that the Foreign Ministry was not involved in the
decision to withhold the delegation; he assumed it was made
by Baghdasarian. The Government's readiness in general to
engage in Baku was made clear by the attendance of senior
GOAM officials in Azerbaijan at recent symposia on energy and
transport. He understood how this decision would be taken in
Washington, at NATO and elsewhere, and recognized that
Armenia had made a misstep.
EVANS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN AND EUR/SNEC
USNATO FOR UNDERWOOD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2014
TAGS: PREL AM NATO AZ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR SCORES ARMENIANS FOR NO-SHOW AT NATO
SEMINAR
Classified By: DCM A.F.Godfrey for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) The decision not to send a delegation to NATO's
Rose-Roth seminar in Baku was "difficult to understand" and
"a mistake" for Armenia." That was the message the
Ambassador delivered to Tigran Torosian, Deputy Speaker of
Armenia's National Assembly (NA) during a November 26 office
call. Torosian told the Ambassador that the decision not to
send the delegation was taken primarily by NA Speaker Artur
Baghdasarian. Baghdasarian had sent a letter to his
counterpart in Baku requesting a personal security guarantee
but had received no direct reply. Torosian admitted that
Baghdasarian's decision seemed to be based as much on his
affront at not receiving a reply as on his concern for the
security of the parliamentarians and staffers slated to
attend the conference. Torosian also whined about Azeri
non-attendance at some earlier events hosted by the National
Assembly in Yerevan.
2. (C) The Ambassador pointed out the many steps that the
USG and NATO had taken to ensure security of all delegations.
Armenia's absence at the conference showed a lack of
readiness to engage. The Ambassador suggested that Armenia
take prompt steps to remedy this mistake, preferably by
Oskanian's agreeing to meet with FM Mammadyarov as soon as
possible.
3. (C) Deputy Foreign Minister Tatul Margarian told us
November 26 that the Foreign Ministry was not involved in the
decision to withhold the delegation; he assumed it was made
by Baghdasarian. The Government's readiness in general to
engage in Baku was made clear by the attendance of senior
GOAM officials in Azerbaijan at recent symposia on energy and
transport. He understood how this decision would be taken in
Washington, at NATO and elsewhere, and recognized that
Armenia had made a misstep.
EVANS