MEETING WITH ARMENIAN DEPUTY FONMIN ON TIP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 000314

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR CACEN (SIDEREAS),G/TIP (LERNER)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KCRM ELAB KWMN SMIG PGOV PREL UZ AM
SUBJECT: MEETING WITH ARMENIAN DEPUTY FONMIN ON TIP


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT
ACCORDINGLY.


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. DCM met with Deputy Foreign
Minister Tatoul Margarian, who oversees the GOAM
Interagency Commission to Address Issues Related to
Human Trafficking (TIP Commission),to discuss concerns
that the GOAM has been slow to take visible, concrete
steps to combat trafficking in persons in recent
months. DCM made it clear that in determining tier
placement this year, G/TIP would be looking closely
both at follow-up on previously reported trafficking
arrests and investigations and GOAM initiatives to
combat, prevent and prosecute trafficking in persons.
Margarian was displeased with the possibility that
Armenia might slip back to Tier 3, but receptive to our
recommendations and the need to work closely with the
Embassy to ensure that we have complete information on
GOAM actions in this important area. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) DCM expressed concern that following the
promotion of the head of the TIP Commission to another
agency, the Commission's activities decreased
considerably and that slow deliberation over the GOAM's
ratification of the National Plan of Action (NPA)
impeded implementation of key goals. Margarian
admitted that progress on TIP might have been slow, but
emphasized that there have been positive developments.
He noted that the issue of trafficking in persons is a
sensitive one, crossing many sectors, and has no
unequivocal solutions. However, he agreed that now
that the NPA has been ratified, the GOAM must put
greater emphasis on implementation.


3. (SBU) Margarian was presented with the Department's
country strategy, brief project descriptions of USG-
funded counter-trafficking initiatives, and questions
provided as guidance in preparation of the annual TIP
report. He immediately called one of his staff in our
presence to discuss our request for information in
preparation of this year's TIP report and confirmed
that we could expect answers to our inquiries by 10
February. This will allow us to work with the TIP
Commission to identify gaps in key areas that might be
addressed in the near term. (NOTE. The TIP Commission
met later that day. An informal readout of that
meeting by one of the members indicates that Embassy's
concerns were discussed at length. The Procurator
General's Office made an appeal to the Commission
members to provide complete and honest information on
the work that has been done, especially in the area of
law enforcement efforts. END NOTE.)


4. (SBU) The recent case involving Uzbek women
trafficked to Armenia for sexual exploitation, which
Margarian was unaware of, was discussed at length.
Although indications that Armenia may be a destination
country for trafficking victims is a concern, we are
very encouraged by law enforcement's proactive role in
arresting alleged traffickers and opening a criminal
investigation. Moreover, we are very pleased that law
enforcement swiftly identified the trafficking victims
among the arrested and referred them to a local NGO
providing trafficking victim assistance under the
auspices of an USG-funded program. (NOTE: The case
comes on the heels of OSCE-IOM-U.S. Embassy co-
sponsored training on victim identification and NGO
referral mechanisms. END NOTE)


5. (SBU) DCM took the opportunity to bring up concerns
about police handling of some aspects of the case and
emphasized the need to ensure victims' anonymity and
engage them with respect and compassion. Margarian
agreed that there is room for improvement in law
enforcement's interaction with trafficking victims, but
attributed any shortcomings primarily to over
zealousness. (COMMENT: Embassy has had discussions
with various interlocutors on the specifics of this
case, all of which indicate that over zealousness is
likely the root cause behind shortcomings in the
treatment of victims. Most interlocutors agree that
given the positive steps forward by law enforcement on
this issue, international organizations and local NGOs
should continue to engage law enforcement in a
proactive way, rather than alienating them with harsh
criticism. END COMMENT.)


6. (U) Lastly, DCM raised the issue of bilateral law
enforcement cooperation with key origin, destination
and transit countries, especially the U.A.E. and
Uzbekistan. Margarian indicated that there are no
current bilateral agreements with Uzbekistan, although
law enforcement reports that a letter of request has
been sent to their counterparts in Uzbekistan on the
current trafficking investigation. A bilateral treaty
is in place between Armenia and the U.A.E.; however,
there are no specific provisions regarding trafficking
in persons. This is an issue that the Embassy will
continue to follow closely in Armenia.


7. (SBU) COMMENT: Perhaps the single most important
point emphasized during the meeting with Deputy Foreign
Minister Margarian is the need for the GOAM to "take
ownership" of efforts to combat and prevent trafficking
in persons in Armenia. Despite the GOAM's willingness
to participate in various events developed by local
NGOs and international organizations, the perception
both in Armenia and abroad is that the GOAM is not
taking its own initiatives. This is an important
nuance that has been lost on many key GOAM officials to
date. Overall, the Embassy believes the meeting was
well received and has helped to reinvigorate GOAM's
attention to this critical issue. END COMMENT.

ORDWAY