REQUEST FOR TREATMENT OF IRAQ-WOUNDED ARMENIAN

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001677 SIPDIS SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDED INFO ADDRESSEES) DEPT FOR EUR/CARC OSD FOR POLICY/EURASIA/AMER LATIF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS AM SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR TREATMENT OF IRAQ-WOUNDED ARMENIAN SOLDIER AT WALTER REED -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. Post strongly urges that the Department of Defense approve the evacuation to Walter Reed Army Medical Center of Armenian First Lieutenant Georgi Nalbandian, who was wounded during his service with coalition forces in Iraq. Providing treatment and rehabilitative care to Nalbandian in Washington is important for both practical and political reasons. It would send a strong positive message to the GOAM that the USG values its contribution in Iraq, and would shore up Armenian government and public support for maintaining and one day increasing its troop commitment. On a practical level, Washington is the only treatment locale proposed where Nalbandian can receive adequate support and contact from the Armenian government, via its Embassy and the Armenian community in Washington. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Nalbandian, who lost a leg in Iraq to a November 11 IED explosion, is the first Armenian soldier to be severely wounded in Iraq. He is nearing the end of his treatment at the Europe Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. Next, he must be fitted for a prosthesis and undergo rehabilitation that will improve his quality of life and allow him to continue his service in the Armenian Armed Forces. ¶3. We believe the USG response to the Nalbandian case will significantly influence Armenia's decisions regarding current and future deployments. It also will affect what has, to date, been a very positively developing U.S.-Armenian defense relationship. Providing Nalbanian transportation to and treatment at Walter Reed would send a strong signal that the U.S. values Armenia's contribution to the coalition effort in Iraq -- a contribution that has not been universally supported in Armenia. A decision to continue his treatment at Walter Reed would pay significant dividends not only to the soldier, but to the ever-improving defense relationship with a partner country in a volatile region. ¶4. We also believe it is important for Nalbandian to receive treatment at a location with an accessible support network, especially once he reaches the out-patient phase of his rebahilitative care. Post understands that Nalbandian's care will require a significant period of out-patient rehabilitation, after he has been discharged from in-patient hospital care. Armenia,s Defense Attach in Washington has expressed the readiness of the Armenian Embassy to support Nalbandian during and after his residential stay at Walter Reed, which would be a very substantial advantage to the lieutenant's well-being, as well as in reducing the logisticl and administrative burden on USG agencies. The primary burden would be on Armenian government officials to oversee Nalbandian's physical welfare and logistical needs, which the USG focuses on his medical needs. The Armenian Embassy would also be able to act as the GOAM's fiscal agent in paying Nalbandian's hotel bills and related costs, in anticipation of eventual USG reimbursement. The presence of a sizeable Armenian community in the Washington metro area would provide a further suport network, contributing to Nalbanian's overall well-being while he undergoes rehabilitation that is often mentally taxing as well as physically demanding. We understand that Walter Reed also offers Nalbandian the benefit of undergoing his rehabilitation in the company of other amputees to whom he could relate. ¶5. Representatives of the Armenian Ministry of Defense have indicated--we still wait formal confirmation--that the MOD will be prepared to pay Nalbandian's outpatient care-related lodging and transportation costs up-front, with the expectation of subsequent DOD reimbursement pursuant to the 2003 USD/Comptroller Zakheim Memorandum. We rely on the Departments of State and Defense to ensure that this understanding that the GOAM will receive full USG reimbursement for all medical and rehabilitative care, and associated subsistence costs, is accurate. GODFREY