Serzh Sargsian: Rouhani Is Intelligent, Sensible And Will Become Iran’s Next President

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WikiLeaks-Armenia No 32

2005-01-19 12:36

S E C R E T YEREVAN 000085

SUBJECT: ARMENIAN MOD TAKES “NO” FOR AN ANSWER

Classified By: Amb. John Evans for reasons 1.4 (b,d).

¶1. (S) Summary:  Armenia will comply with a USG [U. S. Government] request (ref) and will refrain from proceeding with a transfer to Iran of an anti-air missile system. End Summary.

[For More see this cable – https://www.aniarc.am/2015/09/29/serzh-sargsian-ask-u-s-permission-to-sell-antiquated-anti-air-missile-system-to-iran-wikileaks-2005/]

¶2. (S) Ambassador met privately with Armenian Minister of Defense Serzh Sargsian January 19 and conveyed points contained reftel. Sargsian said simply “If the answer is no, then we won’t do it.”

¶3. (S) Sargsian said he would be traveling to Iran in the first part of February at the invitation of Hassan Ruhani, his counterpart as the Chairman of Iran’s National Security Council. Sargsian noted that Ruhani, though a Muslim cleric, was “more intelligent and sensible” than some of his colleagues, and would be mounting a campaign to become Iran’s next president. Sargsian, who some observers expect will run for President in 2008, said he last visited Iran two years ago.

EVANS