A/S FRIED'S MEETING WITH NA SPEAKER BAGHDASARIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 001934

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV AM
SUBJECT: A/S FRIED'S MEETING WITH NA SPEAKER BAGHDASARIAN

Classified By: Amb. John M. Evans for reasons 1.4 (b,d).

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) During his October 18 meeting with National Assembly
Speaker Artur Baghdasarian, Assistant Secretary Fried
discussed democratic reform in the South Causasus, Armenia's
relationship with Russia and regional security. A/S Fried
urged Armenia to accelerate democratic reforms and closer
relations with Europe. Complaints from Moscow
notwithstanding, neither of these goals should be seen as
adverse to Armenia's strong relations with Russia.

USG Participants:

EUR Assistant Secretary Daniel Fried
Ambassador John Evans
Ambassador Steven Mann
EUR/SNEC Deputy Director Elizabeth Rood
Yerevan Pol/Econ notetaker

End Summary.

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"HISTORY IS ACCELERATING"
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2. (C) Commenting that "history is accelerating," A/S Fried
noted that not only are forces of reform more active
throughout the region, but also forces of reaction.
Commenting that "I don't hide that we support forces of
reform," A/S Fried continued to reassure Baghdasarian that
the USG does not support revolution, although reform and
democracy "is on everyone's mind in a way it wasn't three to
four years ago." Pointing out that reform is what people
talk about in Washington, Fried told Baghdasarian that he was
in Yerevan "because Armenian/American relations can develop
faster than they have." "We want to see Armenia develop as a
partner in this part of the world," Fried said.

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NOT IN COMPETITION WITH RUSSIA
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3. (C) While acknowledging Armenia's "unique attribute," its
genuine friendship with Russia for historical reasons, Fried
urged Armenia to develop stronger ties with Europe and the
U.S. "We will never tell you that you have to choose. What
the Russians tell you is up to them." While Fried commented
that Russia "sometimes thinks we are trying to surround
them," in reality the USG has more important issues than
trying to surround Russia with democratic countries.
Baghdasarian noted, however, that Russian influence would
inevitably decline as Armenia acts on its need to enhance its
relations with the U.S. and improve Euro-Atlantic
cooperation. Nonetheless, he noted, having good relations
with Russia "does not mean they're masters."

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DEMOCRATIC, CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS HIGH ON THE AGENDA
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4. (C) Agreeing that "serious democratic reforms in Armenia
and the region" are necessary, Baghdasarian told Fried that
Armenia is making progress, but needs to take "decisive
steps." According to Baghdasarian, Armenia needs to continue
its reforms because "those people who create obstacles to
reform are creating pre-revolutionary conditions." Not
everyone in Armenia understands the necessity of reform,
Baghdasarian claimed, noting that Armenia struggles between
the future and the past. Constitutional reforms, he
insisted, were very important in this context. In order to
decentralize power (something Baghdasarian was advocating)
Armenia needs to reduce presidential power while giving a
larger role to parliament. Fried agreed that a strong
parliament was critical, because otherwise corruption "won't
stop."


5. (C) Noting that "many favor reforms unless they touch on
their interests," Baghdasarian acknowledged that the process
was a challenging one. After 18 months of work the GOAM has
come up with a draft constitution that is approved by the
international community, "we need a free and fair referendum"
Baghdasarian insisted. Baghdasarian underlined the
importance of a free society, claiming that, as part of the
younger generation, "this is our thinking, this is our
approach."


6. (C) Pointing out that the current constitution creates
obstacles to reforms, Baghdasarian noted that Armenia needs a
good legal framework if it is to combat corruption. Bad
laws, he said, create "ample ground" for corruption. Athough
Baghdasarian noted that the GOAM is taking some measures
against corruption, he cited the "need to redouble efforts"
because society was unsatisfied. Fighting corruption, Fried
agreed, was "good politics" -- people would vote for
politicians they think are clean.

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REGIONAL SECURITY KEY
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7. (C) Baghdasarian told Fried that he saw the future of
Armenia in good relations with its neighbors. (Note:
Baghdasarian mentioned a speech he plans to give at a local
university soon on the topic of Armenian/Turkish relations.
End Note.) According to Baghdasarian, if Armenia has
"permanent bad relations" with its neighbors it will be
unable to develop further. "There is a train taking Turkey
to the EU, why are we standing on the rails? We need to take
our place on that train." The healthy part of society,
Baghdasarian said, realizes that Armenia needs a healthy,
open dialogue with Turkey. The way to solve problems, he
insisted, is to have a dialogue, and he mentioned his own
cooperation with his Turkish counterpart in this context.
Noting that Armenia could make serious progress with Turkey
only after N-K was somehow resolved, Fried pointed out that
Turkey was "beginning to think in new ways about its history
with Armenia."

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HOPE AND CONFIDENCE ON N-K
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8. (C) Insisting that, "In the long run, democracy will equal
peace," Baghdasarian told Fried that he thought the parties
were "very close to a solution to the N-K conflict." Noting
that in 2006, following successful elections in Azerbaijan
and preceding the next elections in Armenia, there will be a
window of opportunity for solving the conflict, Baghdasarian
emphasized that the Role of the U.S. would be very important
in creating a democratic South Caucasus with no conflicts and
with a free market.

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"EUROPE WILL CATCH UP WITH YOU"
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9. (C) If Armenia focuses on necessary democratic and other
reforms, Europe will catch up, Fried noted. Baghdasarian
agreed, and claimed that the "extension of the EU is
inevitable; this region is a matter of interest and of
concern, but of growing interest."

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DEMOCRATIC ARMENIA A STRONG ARMENIA
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10. (C) Commenting that he would borrow A/S Fried's quote
that "A democratic Armenia would be a stronger Armenia,"
Baghdasarian acknowledged that there is a need to educate
Armenian society on these principles, and noted that the more
legitimate the government, the more confident the government,
and then Armenia could move to solve N-K. Everything,
Baghdasarian insisted, "depends on fair elections."


11. (U) EUR/FO has cleared this message.
EVANS