ARMENIAN DEFMIN ON POW'S, CEASE-FIRE VIOLATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 000517

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SNEC (MANN) AND EUR/CACEN
EUCOM FOR POLAD SNELL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2015
TAGS: PREL PARM MARR AM AJ
SUBJECT: ARMENIAN DEFMIN ON POW'S, CEASE-FIRE VIOLATIONS


Classified By: Ambassador John Evans for reason 1.4 (b),(d)

Summary
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1. (C) Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sargsian told the
Ambassador that Azerbaijan was to blame for the recent
increase in cease-fire violations on the line of contact with
Azerbaijan. If the International Community was now concerned
about the effect of violations on the negotiation process,
then Azerbaijan had achieved its goal. Azerbaijan sought to
encourage the negotiators to press Armenia for concessions in
order to assuage Azerbaijan's hard-liners, Sargsian claimed.
Sargsian said that the incidents were provoked by Azerbaijani
forces attempting to improve their tactical position at
points along the line; such tactical shifts were not in
Armenia's interest, which would be best served by maintaining
the status quo. Sargsian confirmed that Armenia continued to
hold prisoner three Azerbaijani soldiers who had wandered
across the line of contact in February. The three would be
returned, but the delay in handing them over was intended as
a response to Azerbaijan's delay in returning Armenian
prisoners in January. End Summary.

Delay in POW returns is tit-for-tat
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2. (C) In a March 21 meeting with Sargsian, the Ambassador
pressed Armenia to move forward with the release of three
Azerbaijani soldiers captured along the line of contact on
February 15. Sargsian confirmed that he had been in contact
with OSCE Special Rep Andrzej Kasprzyk and that Armenia would
return the prisoners, but he did not agree to a specific
date. He said that for the past three years, Armenia had
"without condition" returned captured Azerbaijani soldiers
promptly, but this practice was not reciprocal. Sargsian was
bitter about Azerbaijan's long delay in returning three
Armenian soldiers. He said that Azerbaijan had held the
soldiers for two months and 20 days; it was 15 days before
the GOAJ even admitted to holding the soldiers, although the
GOAM had solid intellligence that the GOAJ knew about the
capture right away. Sarsian said Azerbaijan added insult to
injury by returning the prisoners on January 28, Armenia's
Army Day.

Cease-Fire Violations
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3. (C) The Ambassador raised the issue of the recent
increase in cease-fire violations in N-K and expressed
concern that they could adversely affect the productive
course of negotiations supported by the Minsk Group
co-chairs. Sargsian said that "if the International
Community has the view that there is an increased likelihood
of a resumption of hostilities and if this view will affect
how you approach negotiations, then Azerbaijan has achieved
its purpose in instigating these cease-fire violations."
Sargsian said Azerbaijan had two goals as it continues to
provoke cease-fire violations. First, he explained, was a
message to the Minsk Group. Negotiators are intended to draw
the conclusion that unless talks produce a prompt result
which is favorable to Azerbaijan, a resumption of open
hostilities could be imminent. Second, Azerbaijan sought to
improve its tactical position and several places along the
Line of Contact. When Azerbaijani movements make Armenian
positions vulnerable, Armenian troops must engage, Sargsian
insisted.


4. (C) Sargsian said that the current tactical situation was
similar to that of 2001. At that time, he continued, Armenia
had asked Minsk Group co-chairs to use their satellite
surveillance capability to demonstrate which side was
responsible for troop movements and cease-fire violations; he
repeated that request to the Ambassador. "Calm and the
status quo are in Armenia's interest," said Sargsian, "we do
not seek a conflict."


5. (C) The Ambassador said that that cease-fire violations
were not in anyone's interest and urged Armenia to show
restraint. Sargsian expressed serious concern about what he
viewed as new level of bellicose Azerbaijani rhetoric,
including on the part of President Aliyev.
EVANS