UNCHR 60: ARMENIA TO ABSTAIN ON CHINA, VOTE 'YES'

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 000884

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/2014
TAGS: PHUM PREL AM
SUBJECT: UNCHR 60: ARMENIA TO ABSTAIN ON CHINA, VOTE 'YES'
ON CUBA

REF: STATE 77769

Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Cynthia Doell for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)
.


1. (C) Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian told the Ambassador
April 14 that Armenia would abstain on both the vote to take
'no action' on the China resolution and on the resolution
itself. He said that Armenia would vote to approve the Cuba
resolution, as requested by the United States. Oskanian
emphasized that this decision was "balanced as far as
Washington is concerned."


2. (C) Oskanian said that the GOAM had "looked at the
resolutions from all angles" and that the decision on the
China and Cuba resolutions was a "package deal" and fair. He
noted that Armenian President Kocharian plans to make a state
visit to China in the second half of the year, and voting to
approve the China resolution was not a realistic option at
this point.
ORDWAY