ARMENIAN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SUCCESSFUL IRAQI

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 002183 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/16/2015 TAGS: KDEM KPAO PREL PGOV IZ AM SUBJECT: ARMENIAN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SUCCESSFUL IRAQI ELECTIONS UNLIKELY REF: A) STATE 225860 B) YEREVAN 2157 Classified By: CDA A.F. Godfrey for reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) We delivered reftel points to Armenian MFA Americas' Desk Head Lilit Toutkhalian who told us she was not aware of GOAM plans to issue a statement commending Iraqi success on the December 15 Council of Representatives elections. Toutkhalian speculated that, because Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian had accompanied Kocharian to Sochi to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the MFA would "not likely take action" before he returned. Toutkhalian did not mention -- though we confirmed through a separate source at the MFA -- that Oskanian is scheduled to return the evening of December 16. ¶2. (C) Comment: We suspect that asking the Armenians to recognize the success of Iraqi elections, while still stinging from international criticism of their own failed attempt at a free and fair constitutional referendum, is an embarrassing proposition. To commend another nation on successful elections, even while under international scrutiny for wide-spread voting irregularities (ref B),would be a bolder move than we expect from the GOAM at this point. Nevertheless, we will continue to press ahead to get statements of support through less traditional channels -- including by providing ref A material directly to GOAM spokespeople. GODFREY