IRAQ FORCE ADJUSTMENT: ARMENIA COMMITTED TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 002225 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2015 TAGS: PGOV PINS PREL MARR MOPS IZ AM SUBJECT: IRAQ FORCE ADJUSTMENT: ARMENIA COMMITTED TO COALITION REF: A) STATE 231047 B) YEREVAN 2214 Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief C. Doell for reasons 1.4 (b, d). (C) We delivered ref A points regarding Iraq force adjustment during December 27 meetings with MOD Foreign Relations and Military Cooperation Deputy Chief Colonel Armen Zakaryan and MFA Middle East Department Chief Artem Aznauryan. Zakaryan and Aznauryan repeated earlier comments by Deputy Minister of Defense General-Lieutenant Artur Aghabekyan and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arman Kirakossian, who told us U.S. force level reductions would neither affect the GOAM's decision to deploy forces nor jeopardize Armenia's commitment to the coalition (ref B). GODFREY