08YEREVAN55

WikiLeaks Cable

Reference ID	Created	Released	Classification	Origin
08YEREVAN55	2008-01-24 12:52	2011-08-24 01:00	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	Embassy Yerevan

VZCZCXRO0295 RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK DE RUEHYE #0055 0241252 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 241252Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY YEREVAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6886 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE UNCLAS YEREVAN 000055

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MNUC PREL KNNP IR GM AM SUBJECT: ARMENIA: DEMARCHE ON IRAN'S ATTEMPTS TO EXPAND BANKING RELATIONSHIPS

REF: SECSTATE 1044

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PROTECT ACCORDINGLY

(SBU) On January 16, 2008, Poloff delivered reftel non-paper to Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Counselor for Iran and Afghanistan, Garnik Badalyan. Poloff discussed Iran's current efforts to establish joint banking ventures with its neighbors as a means to possibly skirt the U.N. sanctions regime. Poloff requested that the Armenian MFA advise the Central Bank of Armenia to employ extra vigilance in monitoring the financial transaction of the Iranian owned Bank Mellat in Yerevan. Badalyan asked for more specific information on Bank Mellat's nefarious activities, and stated that he would make note of the Embassy's request. Any substantive response on Bank Mellat's activities will be reported septel.

PENNINGTON