CHR-61: ARMENIANS WITH US ON CUBA, SHAKY ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 000449

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, WHA/CCA, DRL/MLA, IO, USUN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREL CU AM CHR
SUBJECT: CHR-61: ARMENIANS WITH US ON CUBA, SHAKY ON
BELARUS

REF: STATE 42847

Classified By: DCM A.F. Godfrey for reasons 1.4 (b,d).

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) We delivered demarche and talking points regarding the
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) upcoming annual session to
MFA International Organizations Department Chief Valery
Mkrtumyan March 11 per reftel instructions. Mkrtumyan
predicted that the GOAM would vote with the USG on the
expected Cuba resolution but was less optimistic about
prospects for GOAM support of a resolution on Belarus.
Mkrtumyan noted that both countries had already been actively
lobbying for GOAM support at the CHR, both in Yerevan and in
Geneva. He said that the GOAM agreed with the USG's
approaches at the CHR on thematic issues including religious
intolerance, anti-Semitism and support for the democracy
caucus. We will continue to engage the GOAM from this end on
CHR issues and will report any additional information as it
becomes available. End Summary.

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NOTING "CHARM OFFENSIVE," GOAM WITH US ON CUBA
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2. (C) Responding to demarche talking points on the expected
Cuba resolution at CHR-61, MFA International Organizations
Department Chief Valery Mkrtumyan predicted that the GOAM
would vote with the USG this year. He said the MFA
considered last year's resolution a "weather balloon" on the
issue and called the Cuba resolution a "good place for us to
cooperate" at CHR. Mkrtumyan said co-sponsorship would not
be likely but encouraged the USG to forward the latest
information regarding a Cuba resolution to GOAM
representatives in Geneva. He reported the GOAM's perception
that the USG weighed support for the Cuba resolution as an
important symbol of loyalty and asked that we report to
Washington that the GOAM wanted to be counted "among the
faithful" on the issue.


3. (C) Mkrtumyan and other contacts in the MFA reported to us
that the Cubans had already been actively lobbying the GOAM
regarding CHR-61. Cuban Ambassador Jorge Martinez (resident
in Moscow) reportedly raised the issue of a Cuba resolution
during his recent visit to Yerevan. Our MFA contacts said
the GOAM did not commit any support to the Cubans regarding
CHR, but noted what appeared to them to be the latest
installment in a "charm offensive" on human rights issues
this year by the Cubans. Martinez and others have, according
to MFA contacts, raised human rights issues on a number of
occasions, attempting to portray GOAM support for Cuba at
last year's UNGA as a vote of confidence for Cuba's human
rights record.

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BELARUS "TOO CLOSE TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD;" GOAM "NO-ACTION?"
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4. (C) Mkrtumyan said that GOAM support for a USG-sponsored
resolution on Belarus would be unlikely this year. He said
that Belarus was "too close to our neighborhood" and that the
GOAM was wary of repercussions were it perceived to be
undermining a CIS neighbor. While normally opposed to
no-action motions for the same reason the USG outlined in
this demarche, Mkrtumyan said that a no-action motion may be
Armenia's only viable option on Belarus during CHR-61. Like
the Cubans, Mkrtumyan said the Government of Belarus had been
in touch with the GOAM regarding CHR and that they expressed
concern about a resolution on the domestic human rights
situation during CHR-61.

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POTENTIAL ALLIES IN GENEVA
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5. (C) Post notes that Artak Apitonian, former MFA Deputy
Chief of the International Organizations Department, will be
transferred to the GOAM Mission in Geneva within the next few
weeks. Well-versed in USG positions, Apitonian has been
quite cooperative on USG demarches in the past and should be
cultivated as a potential resource for future initiatives.
Post has sought to support Apitonian during various outreach
and representational events. He appears to have the
confidence of the MFA given his new assignment.
EVANS