RED CROSS/RED CRESCENT: ARMENIA SUPPORTS CHANGES

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000807 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREF PREL ICRC IS AM SUBJECT: RED CROSS/RED CRESCENT: ARMENIA SUPPORTS CHANGES TO STATUTES REF: A) SECSTATE 95211 Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) We delivered reftel points to MFA International Organizations Department's Human Rights and Humanitarian Division Chief Tigran Samvelian. Samvelian said the GOAM's position on the change to the statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is "very much in line" with the U.S. position. He pointed out that Armenia voted to adopt the Third Additional Protocol in December and said that Armenia would not support the adjournment or other disruption of the June 20-21 meeting. Samvelian said Armenia would definitely be represented by a member of its Permanent Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva. He said funding constraints made it unlikely that a government representative from Yerevan would attend. Samvelian said the GOAM had inquired with the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding funding, but was told none would be available. He said that, should funding become available, the GOAM would consider sending a representative from the MFA. EVANS