ARMENIAN RESPONSE TO USG PRIORITIES FOR UNCHR-60

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 000660 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN, IO/UN, EUR/PGI, WHA/CCA E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2014 TAGS: PREL AORC PHUM AM UN SUBJECT: ARMENIAN RESPONSE TO USG PRIORITIES FOR UNCHR-60 REF: A) STATE 55077 B) NEW YORK 00516 Classified By: Ambassador John Ordway for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Ambassador raised USG priorities for UNCHR-60 with FM Oskanian March 15 per instructions in reftel A. Oskanian was generally non-committal, but promised to review the USG proposals on China and Cuba with Armenia's missions in Geneva, New York and Washington. Oskanian hinted that Armenia's candidature for the 2005-2007 UNCHR could mean that any GOAM support for USG initiatives could be more measured than Washington might hope or expect. While he would not commit GOAM support, his comments suggested that the GOAM was more likely to support a Cuba resolution than the China resolution. ¶2. (C) Comment: Oskanian's comments contrasted with earlier signals from mid-level MFA officials. Earlier hints for greater support during this year's UNCHR, specifically for the Cuba resolution, appear to have lost steam. While MFA contacts are not hiding their disappointment with the USG's quiet response thus far to Armenia's UNCHR candidature, we can safely assume that this is only partially responsible for this change in posture. There appears to be real concern among GOAM officials at some level about Armenia's candidature for the UNCHR. Armenia's highest priority is to avoid a loss of face in the re-election campaign and they are undoubtedly keeping a close eye on where the votes are. Our contacts continue to stress the importance of Yerevan's role in UN-related issues. GOAM representatives in Geneva and New York are reportedly now taking a back seat to the MFA's newly appointed Director of Multilateral Affairs on important policy decisions. We will listen closely for signals from the MFA regarding the Cuba resolution after the Department's March 15 meeting with Ambassadors in Washington. End comment. WALKER