Cablegate: Ambassador Supports Resolution 1701 in Armenian Media

VZCZCXRO2559
RR RUEHDBU RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHYE #1123 2290515
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 170515Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY YEREVAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3735
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001123

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CARC, EUR/PPD

E.O. 12958; N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL UN KPAO LE AM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR SUPPORTS RESOLUTION 1701 IN ARMENIAN MEDIA

REF: YEREVAN 01108

1. On August 14, the Ambassador gave an interview to Armenian
Public TV to explain UN Security Council Resolution 1701 on Lebanon.
The interview was aired without commentary on Public TV's evening
news, the most-watched news programs in the country. During the
interview, Ambassador Evans emphasized the need to establish a
lasting peace, stating, "It was clear that nobody wanted to have a
cheap and easy ceasefire that would lead to an outbreak of similar
hostilities again. So what has happened as a result of the last few
weeks of diplomacy is that all the major players--the Israelis, the
Lebanese, and the outside powers--have worked together to fashion
Resolution 1701." The Ambassador stressed the United States'
commitment to helping the people of Lebanon and Israel, noting that
Secretary Rice has announced that the United States will increase

SIPDIS
aid to Lebanon to 50 million USD.

2. The Ambassador also released an op-ed on the situation in
Lebanon, the text of which was drawn from the Echo Chamber points.
The op-ed was published on August 15 in "Hayastani Hanrapetutiun," a
government-owned newspaper that is widely read by government
officials and opinion makers. In the op-ed, which was entitled
"Helping Lebanon Regain Control," the Ambassador mourns the loss of
civilian life but states that he believes Resolution 1701 opens a
path towards establishing a lasting peace. The Ambassador
emphasized the need to change the circumstances that led to the
conflict, stating, "From the start, the United States and leaders in
both Lebanon and Israel have said we could not return to the
situation that allowed Hezbollah to provoke this crisis. A durable
ceasefire requires changed circumstances so that the government of
Lebanon, not a terrorist organization, controls the territory of
Lebanon."

-------
COMMENT
-------

3. Whereas the Armenian media generally do not focus on
international news, preferring instead to report on Armenia-specific
events, the situation in Lebanon has received broad coverage due to
the large number of Armenians living in Lebanon and the close ties
of Armenians with the Diaspora community there. Media reports have
generally focused on condemning the loss of life and destruction in
Lebanon, sometimes blaming Israel or the international community for
not ending the conflict more quickly. Through his media activities,
the Ambassador has emphasized that the United States is committed to
helping the people of Lebanon, and has expressed the U.S. view that
a durable and lasting peace needs to be established.

EVANS

© Scoop Media