FM OSKANIAN URGES REJECTION OF UN RESOLUTION ON N-K

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000176 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNGA AM AJ SUBJECT: FM OSKANIAN URGES REJECTION OF UN RESOLUTION ON N-K ¶1. (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution. ¶2. (SBU) In a meeting with all Yerevan chiefs of mission at the MFA February 29, Foreign Minister Oskanian urged countries to reject a draft UN resolution being circulated by Azerbaijan regarding the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Oskanian argued that all countries should follow the lead of the Minsk Group co-chairs when considering how to vote when the resolution comes to floor of the UNGA some time next week. Noting that all three co-chair countries oppose the resolution, Oskanian accused Azerbaijan of trying to "exploit" developments in Kosovo to push through a "one-sided" resolution that does not reflect the current status of the Minsk Group discussions. ¶3. (SBU) Oskanian asserted that Azerbaijan is using the argument that "Kosovo cannot be a precedent" for N-K as "bait" for the international community, and acknowledged that the Azerbaijanis are making headway with this line of reasoning. Oskanian reiterated that Armenia recognizes that Kosovo is not a precedent, and said Armenia is willing to work on a "balanced" text that would clarify the point. He added, however, that while Kosovo is not a precedent, "it can also not be viewed as the end of history." If N-K or some other entity gains independence at some point in the future, it would not be based on the Kosovo experience. Each case is unique, he concluded, and must be considered on its own merits. Oskanian charged that the current resolution is an effort to garner UN support for a solution that is "based solely on Azerbaijan's territorial integrity." ¶4. (SBU) Oskanian said the timing of the resolution is especially unforunate, coming as it does in the wake of Armenia's presidential election. President-elect Sargsian is "ready to engage immediately" in the peace negotiation process, he said. Passage of the UN resolution would set that process back. The FM stressed that Armenia is not asking countries to "support Armenia's position on N-K," but rather to "support the co-chair countries who are best placed to understand the complexities of the issue." PENNINGTON