UNCLAS YEREVAN 001450

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

ISN, EAP, IO, EUR/PGI, DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CARC, EUR/PPD

E.O. 12958; N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP KPAO KN AM
SUBJECT: ARMENIA PUBLICY EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT DPRK

REF: YEREVAN 1425

Sensitive but unclassified. Please treat accordingly.


1. (SBU) In an October 12 meeting with acting MFA press spokesman
Vladimir Karapetian, PAO and IO renewed our request (reftel
demarche) that the Armenian MFA release an appropriate statement
condemning North Korea's nuclear test. The following day, the MFA
released a statement to local media, which was published without
editorial comment by a number of news agencies and newspapers.


2. (U) Text of MFA Statement:

"Furthering Armenia's commitment to the principles of
nonproliferation, the Armenian Foreign Ministry expresses concerns
over the nuclear tests in North Korea as it poses a threat to the
region and curbs the international community's efforts to prevent
the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The Armenian Foreign Ministry
hopes that the North Korean authorities will come to terms with the
international community and the problem will be resolved through
peaceful talks by halting the danger of a further nuclear arms
race."

GODFREY