Cablegate: Tfle01. Armenia Denounces

null
Christian M Lilley 07/20/2006 03:53:33 PM From DB/Inbox: Christian M
Lilley

Cable
Text:

UNCLAS YEREVAN 00948

SIPDIS
lpnet01:
INFO: DCM
CXYER:
ACTION: AMB
INFO: DCM AID POL

DISSEMINATION: AMB /1
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: DCM:AFGODFREY
DRAFTED: POLE:AMARTIROSYAN
CLEARED: POLE:EPELLETREAU, POLE:MHERBST

VZCZCYEI729
RR RUEHC
DE RUEHYE #0948 1981032
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 171032Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY YEREVAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3531

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000948

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL LE AM
SUBJECT: TFLE01. ARMENIA DENOUNCES
"DISPROPORTIONATE" USE OF FORCE IN LEBANON

REF: STATE 114722

1. On July 14, the Armenian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs issued a statement on the situation in
Lebanon which condemns the use of "disproportionate
force intended solely to collectively punish
civilians..." Full text of the statement below:

2. Begin text of Armenian Foreign Ministry
Statement:

Armenia is extremely concerned about the military
actions in Lebanon and their escalation, as well as
the great loss of civilian life. Armenia condemns
any violence whether it be abduction or use of
force. We particularly denounce the use of such
disproportionate force intended solely to
collectively punish civilians and damage
infrastructure. This kind of reaction by Israel is
particularly difficult to understand given the fact
that the Lebanese government has clearly distanced
itself from the abduction incident. We hope that
there will be restraint in the region and also hope
there will be an immediate ceasefire so that the
issues can be addressed by peaceful means.

End text.

3. Armenian print media widely covered the
statement, describing it as the toughest ever made
by the Foreign Ministry. The press also cited
Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sargsian as saying
that events in Lebanon were extremely dangerous for
the region, but that Armenia's role in this issue
was "close to zero."

EVANS

© Scoop Media