DEMARCHE DELIVERED: NAJARIAN INVESTMENT

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001282

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, L/EB, L/CID, EB/OIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV KIDE AM
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: NAJARIAN INVESTMENT
DISPUTE

Ref: STATE 132026


1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect
accordingly.


2. (SBU) Per reftel we delivered points to Deputy
Minister of Trade and Economic Development Tigran
Davtyan, who is responsible for monitoring Armenia's
international obligations under Bilateral Investment
Treaties. Davtyan told us that, in his personal
opinion, the Bilateral Investment Treaty did not apply
to this case because the commercial dispute here is
between two private parties. Davtyan raised the fact
that the Najarians are not seeking a civil remedy
against the GOAM, but lobbying the government to itself
seek a criminal remedy against one of its citizens.
Davtyan did agree with us that perception of a fair
business environment is important, and said he would
again alert the Minister about our interest in the
case.
GODFREY