FM OSKANIAN PRESENTS FOREIGN POLICY GOALS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 001602

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, EUR/SNEC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV AJ TU AM
SUBJECT: FM OSKANIAN PRESENTS FOREIGN POLICY GOALS


Classified By: Poloff Masha Herbst for reasons 1.4 (b, d).

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian presented a succinct
outline of Armenian foreign and domestic policy priorities
during the Wilton Park Conference on the South Caucasus held
in Yerevan November 6 - 10. Oskanian elaborated on Armenia's
foreign policy of "complementarity," identified economic
liberalization and democratization as the GOAM's top internal
priorities, and the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict and normalized relations with Turkey as Armenia's
primary foreign policy goals. This cable is classified in
deference to conference rules that all discussion be off the
record. END SUMMARY.

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"COMPLEMENTARITY" EXPLAINED
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2. (C) Oskanian gave a sober and grounded exposition of
Armenia's hallmark policy of "complementarity," which he
characterized as a matter of being "considerate" of the
interests of its neighbors and major regional players, such
as Iran, Russia, the EU and the United States. (NOTE:
"Complementarity," the watchword of Armenia's foreign policy
wonks, entails maintaining strong relations with Russia and
other CIS countries, but balancing those relations with
Armenia's goals of improved ties to Western nations and
Euro-Atlantic institutions, including the United States, the
EU and NATO. END NOTE.) The foreign minister skillfully
rebutted a negative local perception that Armenia is becoming
"subjugated" to outside interests, characterizing Armenia's
behavior instead as a complementarity success story.


3. (C) Oskanian embraced the reality that a number of
influential states have legitimate interests in the South
Caucasus, and Armenia is most successful when it can
accommodate these various interests in a mutually
cooperative, rather than confrontational way. "This whole
notion of being considerate should not be confused with
subjugation," he said. Rather than countering the common --
and perhaps correct -- perception that Armenia kowtows to
Russia, Oskanian noted that Armenia could not have the
relationship it did with Iran if it were not considerate of
legitimate U.S. security concerns. He offered Armenia's
participation in non-proliferation regimes, close monitoring
of the border, and its transparency with the U.S about
Armenia's relations with Iran as proof of the success of
complementarity.

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INTERNAL PRIORITIES
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4. (C) According to Oskanian, Armenia has not wavered from
its top two internal priorities -- economic liberalization
and democratization -- since Armenian independence in 1991.
Giving his own government a report card, Oskanian cited
double-digit economic growth during the last six years
despite border closures and a lack of resources as a sign
that Armenia's economic story is a successful one. He said
that Armenia was well on its way to becoming a democracy.

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"GENOCIDE" RECOGNITION NOT A TOP FOREIGN POLICY GOAL
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5. (C) Oskanian defined Armenia's top foreign policy
priorities as the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
and improved relations with Turkey. He said Armenia was
doing everything possible to reach a balanced resolution on
NK, but warned of the risks of a militant Azerbaijan
determined to resolve the conflict through force. Oskanian
was remarkably open at this conference about Armenia's
current negotiating position, and he outlined that Armenia
had shown new flexibility in "de-linking" a plebiscite on the
status of N-K from a transfer of the occupied territory of
Kelbajar. Oskanian said that the GOAJ's stance had become
more rigid since oil dollars began to trickle into Baku.
"When Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan was just a blueprint, it was easier
to talk to the Azeris," he said. The foreign minister said
he was doubtful that conflict resolution was near, citing
upcoming Armenian and Azerbaijani elections.


6. (C) Oskanian said the government of Turkey should prime

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its population to accept normalized relations with Armenia.
He emphasized that the GOAM did not demand Turkish
recognition of the "genocide" as a precondition to
normalization. He characterized the GOAM's position on
"genocide" recognition in Turkey as a "moral obligation" that
Armenia would like to see the GOT accept. Armenia was ready
to resume diplomatic relations "without precondition."

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COMMENT
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7. (C) Oskanian's presentation exemplified the savvy
pragmatism with which the foreign minister shepherds his
country's interests in a tricky regional environment, packed
with emotionally-charged political and economic challenges.
Instead of railing self-indulgently against the many
injustices Armenians perceive in their geopolitical context,
(which always plays well on the domestic political scene),
Oskanian takes a more positive approach. He patiently
explains to his countrymen why it is best to play the cards
they are dealt as best they can, rather than impotently
berate the dealer on the rules of the game. We applaud him
for that.
GODFREY