EUR DAS BRYZA'S JANUARY 15 MEETING WITH ARMENIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 007944

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2018
TAGS: PGOV AR TU GG
SUBJECT: EUR DAS BRYZA'S JANUARY 15 MEETING WITH ARMENIAN
PM SARGSIAN


Classified By: EUR Acting A/S Kurt Volker for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (C) Summary: EUR DAS Matt Bryza met on January 15 with
Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsian on the margins of a
visit by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs to Yerevan, Baku, and
Nagorno-Karabakh. DAS Bryza raised the issue of Armenia's
relations with Turkey, noting that the Turkish government was
serious about pursuing a breakthrough. Sargsian told Bryza
that Armenia was interested in reaching a package deal with
Turkey to open the border and restore diplomatic relations in
return for Armenia,s recognizing its border with Turkey and
agreeing to convene a historical commission. Sargsian asked
Bryza for his assessment of the recent presidential elections
in Georgia as well as of Armenia's current presidential
election campaign. Bryza told Sargsian the U.S. had
concluded Georgian presidential elections were in essence
democratic, were free from serious fraud that could have
affected the election,s results. Bryza added that Armenia's
next president would greatly benefit from having
international monitors who could assess whether the election
process meets international standards. Sargsian agreed, and
noted his personal political strength would depend to a
certain extent on whether elections were seen to be free and
fair. End Summary.


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Relations with Turkey
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2. (C) DAS Bryza briefed Prime Minister Sargsian on Turkish
President Gul's visit to Washington and noted that the U.S.-
Turkey relationship had risen to a new level thanks to U.S
cooperation with the GOT against PKK terrorism. Bryza
explained that with concrete action now being taken against
the PKK, the GOT now felt some political breathing space to
improve relations with Armenia. Bryza cited discussions with
top Turkish officials during President Gul,s recent visit to
Washington in which the Turkish side stated it was in a
constructive mood, and did not wish to miss this
historic opportunity, to normalize relations with Armenia.
Bryza and Sargsian agreed ongoing, quiet discussions between
Turkey and Armenia were proving useful. Sargsian indicated
the GOAM was interested in reaching a package deal with
Turkey involving Turkey,s opening of the border and
re-establishment of diplomatic relations in exchange for
Armenia recognizing its border with Turkey and agreeing to
convene the historical commission.


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Elections in Georgia and Armenia
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3. (C) Sargsian turned to the impending inauguration of
Georgian President-elect Saakashvili and asked Bryza about
his assessment of the Georgian elections. Bryza told
Sargsian that the USG had been cautious in its public
assessment of the elections and had waited for President Bush
to congratulate Saakashvili until the U.S. Embassy,s 20
observer teams had completed their assessment of allegations
of serious election fraud and concluded irregularities had
not altered the outcome of the election. Sargsian then asked
DAS Bryza how Armenia was faring in its preparations for
presidential elections on February 19. Bryza responded that
Armenia seemed to be on track so far for an improved
election, though it would be important to take seriously the
recommendations and observations of the OSCE-ODIHR monitoring
teams. Sargsian agreed, and noted that he understood it was
in his personal interest to ensure the elections were free
and fair. Absent such a strong mandate, Sargsian noted he
would lack legitimacy and be unable to advance a
Nagorno-Karabakh settlement or his other goals in foreign and
domestic policy.
RICE