DEMARCHE DELIVERED: ARMENIAN SUPPORT FOR PAK

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 001911 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2015 TAGS: AEMR ASEC EAID IN PGOV PK PREF MASS AM NATO SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: ARMENIAN SUPPORT FOR PAK MI-17 HELICOPTER OPERATIONS REF: A) STATE 196411 B) YEREVAN 1885 Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief C. Doell for reasons 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (C) We delivered reftel points regarding Pakistan's MI-17 helicopter operations to Deputy Minister of Defense General-Lieutenant Artur Aghabekyan. Aghabekyan contacted Chief Military Inspector General-Lieutenant Alik Mirzabekyan, who said that Armenia does not/not have MI-17 helicopters in its military inventory, and therefore could not assist with parts or ground crews. ¶2. (C) We also delivered reftel points to outgoing Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) NATO Section Head Hrach Tashchian, and incoming MFA NATO Section Head Marta Ayvazyan. Ayvazyan told us the GOAM is still considering our request for general assistance to Pakistan (ref B),and that she would forward our latest request to Minister of Foreign Affairs Vardan Oskanian for a decision. (Comment: We will continue to emphasize the importance of GOAM participation in the Pakistan relief efforts and expect a response to our ref B request for general assistance early next week.) EVANS