ARMENIAN RESPONSE TO CWC ARTICLE VII DEMARCHE

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000371 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT. FOR EUR/CACEN AND AC/CB (ESIDLER) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM ABUD AM AROC CWC CBW OPCW SUBJECT: ARMENIAN RESPONSE TO CWC ARTICLE VII DEMARCHE REF: STATE 31912 Sensitive but Unclassified. Please protect accordingly. (SBU) We delivered reftel demarche March 3 to Karen Martirossian, Acting Head of Global Security and Non- Conventional Issues Division at the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Martirossian expressed his doubts that Armenia will pass the necessary CWC legislation by the November deadline and cited the size of the task and the transfer of the previous Head of Global Security Israelian as the immediate causes of the delay. Post reminded him of Armenia's obligations to meet the deadline and referred him to sources of technical assistance contained in reftel. He indicated that he will likely request assistance from State Department sources and from the government of Belarus. EVANS