Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASHGABAT580
2006-05-31 18:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
ARMENIAN CONSUL CLAIMS "IRAN PREPARING FOR WAR"
how-toVZCZCXRO3506 PP RUEHDBU DE RUEHAH #0580 1511810 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 311810Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7396 INFO ALNED/ALNED COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000580
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA (FRESE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL PTER IR TX
SUBJECT: ARMENIAN CONSUL CLAIMS "IRAN PREPARING FOR WAR"
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Jennifer L. Brush, for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000580
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA (FRESE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL PTER IR TX
SUBJECT: ARMENIAN CONSUL CLAIMS "IRAN PREPARING FOR WAR"
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Jennifer L. Brush, for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1. (C) Ashgabat-based Armenian consular officer Artek
Kalachayan somberly told Emboffs attending the May 26
Georgian national day celebration about his recent two-week
trip to Iran, during which he traveled from the
Iranian-Turkmenistani border (Ashgabat is 30km north of the
border) to the Armenian border via Mashad and Teheran.
Kalachayan described Iran as "preparing for war." Locals
were stock-piling foodstuffs and home appliances (including,
Kalachayan specified without explanation, light bulbs).
Kalachayan reported that in at least one Iranian mosque the
imam had led repeated chants of "Death to America." A new
volunteer force of one million suicide bombers was standing
at the ready and had joined highly armed police officers on
their patrols. Kalachayan described pairs of suicide bombers
in civilian clothes riding in the backs of regular patrol
cars, and said the bombers were morally prepared to make the
ultimate sacrifice. Kalachayan warned Emboffs that Iran, as
a Persian and not Arab country with thousands of years of
history, was not Iraq, and that the Iranians would fight a
war in a qualitatively different manner from Iraqis, should
the U.S. attack.
2. (C) In a separate conversation, Ukrainian diplomats told
Charge on May 23 that their colleagues recently visiting
Ashgabat from Tehran described the public mood as "dark," but
they added the public supported President Ahmadinejad.
3. (C) COMMENT: Kalachayan is a well-known embassy contact
who has previously traveled by car to Armenia via Iran and
recalled his experiences with Conoff. Unlike his previous
lighthearted recollections about his travels, Kalachayan on
May 26 appeared very serious and morose. Post, obviously,
cannot independently verify his claims of a million man
suicide army, and does not know whether Kalachayan was
passing along first- or second-hand observations; however his
comments about Iranian society preparing for possible
conflict, in particular in contrast to his previous visits to
Iran, are significant. END COMMENT.
BRUSH
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA (FRESE)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL PTER IR TX
SUBJECT: ARMENIAN CONSUL CLAIMS "IRAN PREPARING FOR WAR"
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Jennifer L. Brush, for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1. (C) Ashgabat-based Armenian consular officer Artek
Kalachayan somberly told Emboffs attending the May 26
Georgian national day celebration about his recent two-week
trip to Iran, during which he traveled from the
Iranian-Turkmenistani border (Ashgabat is 30km north of the
border) to the Armenian border via Mashad and Teheran.
Kalachayan described Iran as "preparing for war." Locals
were stock-piling foodstuffs and home appliances (including,
Kalachayan specified without explanation, light bulbs).
Kalachayan reported that in at least one Iranian mosque the
imam had led repeated chants of "Death to America." A new
volunteer force of one million suicide bombers was standing
at the ready and had joined highly armed police officers on
their patrols. Kalachayan described pairs of suicide bombers
in civilian clothes riding in the backs of regular patrol
cars, and said the bombers were morally prepared to make the
ultimate sacrifice. Kalachayan warned Emboffs that Iran, as
a Persian and not Arab country with thousands of years of
history, was not Iraq, and that the Iranians would fight a
war in a qualitatively different manner from Iraqis, should
the U.S. attack.
2. (C) In a separate conversation, Ukrainian diplomats told
Charge on May 23 that their colleagues recently visiting
Ashgabat from Tehran described the public mood as "dark," but
they added the public supported President Ahmadinejad.
3. (C) COMMENT: Kalachayan is a well-known embassy contact
who has previously traveled by car to Armenia via Iran and
recalled his experiences with Conoff. Unlike his previous
lighthearted recollections about his travels, Kalachayan on
May 26 appeared very serious and morose. Post, obviously,
cannot independently verify his claims of a million man
suicide army, and does not know whether Kalachayan was
passing along first- or second-hand observations; however his
comments about Iranian society preparing for possible
conflict, in particular in contrast to his previous visits to
Iran, are significant. END COMMENT.
BRUSH