CHR-61: ARMENIA WON'T SUPPORT US ON BELARUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 000666 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, IO, DRL/MLA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2015 TAGS: PHUM PREL BO AM CHR SUBJECT: CHR-61: ARMENIA WON'T SUPPORT US ON BELARUS REF: A. YEREVAN 661 ¶B. YEREVAN 521 Classified By: DCM A.F.Godfrey for reason 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Baibourtian told us April 15 that the GOAM would vote in favor of the no-action motion on the Belarus resolution at the UNCHR. Baiburtian acknowledged the high-level demarches by the Ambassador and an April 6 approach with the local EU Presidency rep (ref a), but said that it would support Belarus, a strategic ally for Armenia on issues such as Nagorno Karabakh. End Summary. ¶2. (C) On April 15, DCM met with Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Baiburtian in a final attempt to sway the GOAM against voting in favor of the no-action motion on the Belarus resolution at UNCHR-61. ¶3. (C) Baiburtian acknowledged the high-level demarches by the Ambassador and an April 6 approch with the local EU Presidency rep (ref a),but suggested that the decision had been made final at a meeting between FM Oskanian and President Kocharian. Armenia will vote to support Belarus on the no-action motion. Baiburtian admitted that the vote had little to do with human rights issues, but was a show of support to an ally of strategic importance to Armenia on Nagorno Karabakh. Baiburtian averred that Moscow's position had not affected Armenia's decision. Comment -------------- ¶4. (C) Armenia describes its foreign policy as one of "complementarity," balancing its aspirations toward integration in Euro-Atlantic institutions against ties with the Russian Federation and other CIS partners. During our meetings these past three weeks, the MFA has made it clear that it views its support for the USG on the Cuba resolution at UNCHR as its grand gesture in our favor and they hope it will offset any reaction to their vote on Belarus. Overall, the GOAM wants to stake out a reputation of integrity on human rights issues, but this vote will undermine them. EVANS