ARMENIAN'S WAIT-AND-SEE SUPPORT OF KOSOVO

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 000159

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, KOSOVO MONITORING GROUP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS UN UNMIK GG RU SR YI AM
SUBJECT: ARMENIAN'S WAIT-AND-SEE SUPPORT OF KOSOVO
INDEPENDENCE

REF: A. SECSTATE 16319


B. SECSTATE 14840

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Joseph Pennington, reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).

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ARMENIA TO EVENTUALLY RECOGNIZE KOSOVO
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1. (C) CDA delivered Ref A demarche to FM Oskanian February

21. We had earlier telegraphed the main substance, while
awaiting the chance to see the FM during the hectic Armenian
election period. CDA emphasized US view that Kosovo was a
unique case and that its declaration of independence did not
constitute a precedent for other conflicts. Oskanian largely
agreed, including that Kosovo truly constituted a unique case
that should not be viewed as a precedent. He asked that the
US remain flexible on other self-determination struggles
around the world, and not view Kosovo as a case where
"history ends" (on such struggles). If Washington shared
this understanding, then Armenia was "100 percent in line"
with US thinking on Kosovo. Oskanian then stressed that if
the ethnic Armenians in adjoining Nagorno-Karabakh were ever
to declare their independence, or alternatively refrain from
doing so, neither decision would be "because of Kosovo."


2. (C) Oskanian asserted that the GOAM will "one day"
recognize Kosovo, but could not commit to a timeline, saying
"we will not rush" into doing so. Oskanian opined that
Kosovo "deserved" its independence, and that Armenia
supported it. Off the record, Oskanian confided that the
GOAM was constrained from recognizing Kosovo right away,
explaining that Armenians would wonder why the GOAM publicly
declared Kosovo recognition and remained silent on
Nagorno-Karabakh.

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DOUBTS RUSSIAN RECOGNITION OF GEORGIAN SEPARATISTS
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3. (C) CDA also delivered Ref B demarche urging Armenia to
deter Russia from using Kosovo as a precedent to recognize
Abkhazia. Oskanian said the GOAM had in the past privately
shared its views on the subject with Russia, but expressed
doubt that the latter would exploit the situation to
recognize Abkhazia. He pledged, however, to pass US concerns
to President Kocharian before the president departed for an
informal CIS heads of state meeting in Moscow on February 22.
Oskanian added that Armenia has repeatedly gone on the
record with GOAM support of Georgia's territorial integrity.
PENNINGTON