Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05YEREVAN1018
2005-06-10 02:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: MDA AND CONFERENCE ON THIRD
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 001018
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN, IO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2014
TAGS: AORC PHUM PREL IS SZ AM ICRC
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: MDA AND CONFERENCE ON THIRD
PROTOCOL
REF: STATE 104272
Classified By: DCM A.F. Godfrey for reason 1.4 (b,d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 001018
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN, IO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2014
TAGS: AORC PHUM PREL IS SZ AM ICRC
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: MDA AND CONFERENCE ON THIRD
PROTOCOL
REF: STATE 104272
Classified By: DCM A.F. Godfrey for reason 1.4 (b,d).
1. (C) Post delivered demarche talking points regarding the
Israeli National Society (MDA) and International Committee of
the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement to MFA International
Organizations Department Chief Valery Mkrtumyan June 9 per
reftel instructions. Mrkrtumyan said the GOAM did not have a
firm policy on integrating Israeli groups like the MDA into
the ICRC or IFRC structures, but indicated that Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian was aware of the high-profile nature
of the issue and the sensitivites that would surround any
future debates. He said he would raise the issue when he
spoke with the Foreign Minister (who is travelling in Europe
and Asia this week) during their next phone conversation.
The prospect of enhancing the security of humanitarian
workers piqued the MFA's interest and will likely be the best
point of departure for any future engagement with them on the
issue. Mkrtumyan, while not committing the GOAM to support
Swiss efforts regarding the late October conference on the
issue, suggested that Armenia would likely support the
initiatve -- at a minimum -- as a "way to be friendly to
Israel despite their recent, unfavorable comments."
2. (C) Comment: Mkrtumyan was referring to the late 2003
statements of visiting Israeli officials who chided the
Armenians for comparing the events of 1915 with those of the
Holocaust. The comment indicates that GOAM policymakers
continue to shape their Israel (and regional) policy by
factoring in historical issues as much as, or more than,
current realities in the Middle East. We are confident that
the GOAM will put aside any residual hurt feelings over the
issue and communicate their support to the Swiss in advance
of the June 17 deadline.
EVANS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN, IO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2014
TAGS: AORC PHUM PREL IS SZ AM ICRC
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: MDA AND CONFERENCE ON THIRD
PROTOCOL
REF: STATE 104272
Classified By: DCM A.F. Godfrey for reason 1.4 (b,d).
1. (C) Post delivered demarche talking points regarding the
Israeli National Society (MDA) and International Committee of
the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement to MFA International
Organizations Department Chief Valery Mkrtumyan June 9 per
reftel instructions. Mrkrtumyan said the GOAM did not have a
firm policy on integrating Israeli groups like the MDA into
the ICRC or IFRC structures, but indicated that Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian was aware of the high-profile nature
of the issue and the sensitivites that would surround any
future debates. He said he would raise the issue when he
spoke with the Foreign Minister (who is travelling in Europe
and Asia this week) during their next phone conversation.
The prospect of enhancing the security of humanitarian
workers piqued the MFA's interest and will likely be the best
point of departure for any future engagement with them on the
issue. Mkrtumyan, while not committing the GOAM to support
Swiss efforts regarding the late October conference on the
issue, suggested that Armenia would likely support the
initiatve -- at a minimum -- as a "way to be friendly to
Israel despite their recent, unfavorable comments."
2. (C) Comment: Mkrtumyan was referring to the late 2003
statements of visiting Israeli officials who chided the
Armenians for comparing the events of 1915 with those of the
Holocaust. The comment indicates that GOAM policymakers
continue to shape their Israel (and regional) policy by
factoring in historical issues as much as, or more than,
current realities in the Middle East. We are confident that
the GOAM will put aside any residual hurt feelings over the
issue and communicate their support to the Swiss in advance
of the June 17 deadline.
EVANS