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