R 230754Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY YEREVAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8562

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000045 
 
 
DEPT FOR DS/TIA/OSAC, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/EUR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC KRIM KSAC CASC
SUBJECT: OSAC ANNUAL CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT -- YEREVAN 
 
REF: 08 STATE 132056 
 
¶1. (U) In accordance with Reftel A, the following 
information is provided. 
 
2 (U) BEGIN TEXT 
 
OSAC CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT 
 
¶I.  Overall Crime and Safety Situation: 
The crime and safety situation in Armenia is better than 
average in comparison to a large size city in the U.S. 
Violent crime against expatriates is rare; however, 
expatriates are attractive targets to criminals, as they 
tend to have and/or display more wealth. 
 
During the first 9 months of 2008 (final statistics are not 
available yet), an increase in crime had been reported in 
Armenia of 4.8% from 2007.  Violent crime in Armenia for 
the first 9 months of 2008 shows an increase of 1.11%. 
Crime occurrence is highest in the capital of Yerevan 
(31.4%) with the lowest occurrence in Gegharkunik province 
(11.1%), Syunik province (12.7%) and Armavir province 
(13.1%). 
 
¶A.  Crime Threats:  Most crimes reported to the Embassy by 
American citizens are relatively minor, such as 
pick-pocketing, vehicular break-ins, purse snatching, and 
cell phone theft. In the last year there have been no 
reports of burglaries of homes in EMBOFF neighborhoods nor 
has post's Consular Affairs section passed on any reports 
of crimes involving American citizens to RSO. 
 
Criminals, if armed, often carry edged weapons instead of 
firearms, and may use force if resisted.  Unlike other 
countries in the region, Armenia has not experienced 
problems with car-jackings. 
 
¶B.  Safety:  All roads in the Republic of Armenia are in an 
extremely poor state of repair.  Traffic signals are often 
out of commission and potholes large enough to cause 
serious damage to automobiles are common.  Drivers show 
little or no courtesy for other drivers and do not obey any 
recognizable traffic laws.  Traffic accidents resulting in 
death for the first 9 months of 2008 increased 15.5% from 
¶2007. 
 
Travel in Armenia requires caution.  Public transportation 
can be unreliable and unsafe, especially mini-buses called 
"marshrutki."  Travel at night is not recommended due to 
the lack of street lights, and winter travel can be 
extremely hazardous particularly in mountain areas and 
higher elevation. 
 
An uptick in the incidences of belligerent drivers and 
aggressive road rage directed against Americans in Yerevan 
has been noticed.  Most frequently this involves drivers of 
expensive cars who feel that they are privileged or 
entitled and above the law.  Incidents of physical 
aggression and harassment against drivers, passengers and 
pedestrians have occurred. 
 
¶C.  Other:  Armenia is also home to numerous stray animals, 
particularly dogs.  In the past year there have been 
numerous reports by Embassy personnel of aggressive street 
animals. Visitors to Armenia should exercise caution when 
near any animal, and no attempts should be made to pet or 
feed them.  If bitten by an animal, contact Nairi Medical 
Center. 
 
II.  Political Violence: 
¶A.  Historical Perspective:  Armenia and neighboring 
Azerbaijan are engaged in ongoing hostilities over 
Nagorno-Karabakh.  There are periodic cease fire violations 
in the vicinity of the line of contact and the border, most 
recently in early March 2008. 
 
¶B.  Regional Terrorism and Organized Crime:  PKK has a 
marginal propaganda presence in Armenia.  However, the 
non-operational nature of this cell does not pose a threat 
to travelers.  Armenia is also home to a considerable 
organized crime presence.  Although there is sometimes 
violence associated with this criminal element, it normally 
is directed inward and does not affect those not affiliated 
with the organization. 
 
¶C.  International Terrorism or Transnational Terrorism:  At 
the moment, fortunately there is no significant risk of any 
backlash against U.S. interests in Armenia.  Many global 
security threats facing the U.S. and the wider 
international community have no real cultural or political 
resonance in Armenia. 
 
¶D.  Civil Unrest:  Following the February 2008 Presidential 
 
Election, rallies staged by opposition followers gathered 
as many as 50,000 participants in areas of Central Yerevan. 
After 11 days of protests, police dispersed demonstrators. 
In the course of police action on 1 March, numerous 
instances of excessive force were reported, and 
demonstrations became violent.  Ten deaths were 
acknowledged by government officials, and over 200 people, 
demonstrators and police, were injured or hospitalized.  A 
State of Emergency was declared and the situation was 
effectively neutralized.  No violence was directed towards 
Americans. 
 
III.  Post-Specific Concerns: 
¶A.  Earthquakes and Floods:  In 1988, a 7.1 magnitude 
earthquake struck the Armenian city of Spitak and the 
surrounding region, resulting in 50,000 deaths.  Armenia is 
located in a seismically unstable/active zone, at the 
juncture of the Arabian and Eurasian plates; small tremors 
periodically occur in the region and the risk of 
catastrophic earthquakes exists. 
 
¶B.  Industrial and Transportation Accidents:  There is the 
threat of a chemical and/or nuclear emergency from various 
aging Soviet industrial complexes, most serious of which is 
the Metsamor nuclear power plant located 18 miles from the 
embassy.  All embassy residences, and therefore the city 
center, are within accident-planning proximity to the plant. 
 
Armenian roads in general are in extremely poor condition 
and lack shoulder markings and centerlines.  In addition, 
traffic signals may not work as a result of power-outages, 
poor maintenance, or theft of signaling equipment.  Traffic 
signals and rules of the road are often ignored and 
roadside manners are poor.  Motorists often drive in a 
reckless fashion and at high speeds with little regard for 
traffic flow and signs.  Pedestrians enjoy no right of way 
and need to be very cautious when crossing the street. 
During the first 9 months of 2008 in Armenia, there were 
1,587 accidents officially reported with 285 resulting in 
death. 
 
The number of vehicles imported and registered annually 
increases each year, and the road system is unable to meet 
the demands placed upon it by the steady increase in 
drivers. 
 
¶C.  Kidnapping:  N/A 
 
¶D.  Drugs and Narcotics:  Armenia does not have a developed 
drug culture.  Potential for Armenia to become an active 
transit area for drug traffickers exists, but is not widely 
exploited. 
 
¶E.  Other:  Travelers are cautioned in using the 
Ijevan-Noyemberyan highway between the towns of Kirants and 
Baghanis/Voskevan.  This portion of the highway, which is 
located in the northeast region of Tavush, borders 
Azerbaijan to the east, and lies in close proximity to the 
cease-fire line between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces. 
This line has experienced numerous cease-fire violations 
over the years, which include small arms and sniper fire. 
 
Investing and conducting business in Armenian may prove to 
be somewhat precarious.  A lack of transparency in the 
Armenian tax and customs services can have a serious and 
detrimental affect on how taxes and customs duties are 
levied.  This can result in business ventures becoming 
unprofitable.  Other pitfalls include Armenian law that 
prohibits foreigners from owning property, opening one up 
to unscrupulous Armenian business partners, difficulty in 
enforcing legal judgments and an often lengthy and 
unproductive legal process. 
 
IV.  Police Response: 
Police responses vary from region to region.  Law 
enforcement officials lack sensitivity training.  Victim 
response varies drastically depending on the individual, 
and few police officers have English language proficiency. 
American citizens who were detained in 2007 reported that 
law enforcement authorities observed general norms for 
handling and processing prisoners, providing American 
citizens access to legal counsel and consular services. 
There were no reports of physical or mental abuse. 
 
¶A.  If you are detained, incarcerated, and/or harassed by 
local law enforcement, please contact the American Embassy 
Consular Section for American Citizen Services (ACS) 
support.  ACS may be contacted at (374) (10) 49-4686. 
 
¶B.  If you are the victim of a crime, immediately contact 
the police emergency line at 102 and/or proceed to the 
nearest police station to complete a police report.  If 
further assistance is needed, contact the American Embassy 
Consular Section for American Citizen Services (ACS) 
 
support. 
 
The following emergency contact numbers are applicable 
across Armenia: 
 
Fire Emergency: 101 
Police Emergency: 102 
Emergency Medical Services (Ambulance): 103 
 
¶V.  Medical Emergencies: 
Medical care in Armenia is limited.  The American Embassy 
maintains a list of English-speaking physicians and other 
medical healthcare specialists.  Although basic medical 
supplies, including disposable needles, anesthetics, and 
standard antibiotics are generally available throughout the 
country, advanced medical care is not available outside the 
capital.  Individuals with existing health problems may be 
at risk due to inadequate medical facilities and services. 
Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment 
for health services. 
 
Visitors are encouraged to ensure that immunizations are 
current, including vaccine for Hepatitis A and B.  The U.S. 
Center for disease control recommends having had a 
tetanus/diphtheria booster within the last five years. 
Although there has not been a registered case of rabies in 
five years, pre-exposure rabies is recommended for 
occupational exposure only.  Post-exposure prophylaxis 
should be sought even in those already immunized. This is 
due to the large number of street dogs and the inability 
of the local health system to provide immunizations.  It 
is recommended to carry a copy of one's immunization 
record when out and about. 
 
¶A.  Contact information for local hospitals and clinics: 
Nairi Medical Center 
21 Pronyan St. 
Dr. Narine Mamikonyan-English speaker 
Ph. #:  374 10 53-77-42/58-00-99 
 
Emergency & Trauma 
Erebuni Medical Center 
14 Titogradyan St. 
Armen Charchyan-English speaker 
Ph. #:  374 10 47-35-72/47-24-00 
Cell #: (091) 41-17-88 
 
VI.  Tips on How to Avoid Becoming a Victim: 
Visitors to Armenia should exercise the same common sense 
precautions that would apply in a large American city.  Pay 
particular attention to your surroundings in crowded market 
areas.  Carry a flashlight at night - sidewalks are in poor 
condition and stairwells are seldom lit - and are a common 
site of criminal attack.  Lock valuables out of sight in 
vehicles and use a lockable gas cap on your car.  Vary your 
times and routes, especially from your place of 
residence/hotel to your work locations.  Maintain a low 
profile and avoid ostentatious displays of wealth.  Use 
established taxi companies and/or professional private 
drivers for travel in Armenia. If one is considering hiring 
private security in Armenia, please be advised that most 
private security companies provide little professional 
training and pay their staffs minimal salaries.  No private 
security companies are endorsed by the Regional Security 
Office. 
 
VII.  For further information: 
U.S citizens living in or visiting Armenia are encouraged 
to register at the Consular Section of the U.S Embassy in 
Yerevan, where they may obtain updated information on travel 
and security in Armenia.  The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan is 
located at 1 American Avenue. 
 
¶A.  Embassy Contact Numbers: 
Country Code 374 
Yerevan City Code 10 
Embassy Operator 49-42-00 
Regional Security Officer 49-45-95 
Embassy Health Unit 49-43-25 
Consular 49-46-29 
Pol/Econ 49-42-02 
Post 1 Marine Guard 49-44-44 
The U.S. Embassy in Armenia web site address is 
http/www.usa.am. 
 
VIII.  OSAC Country Council: OSAC Armenia was 
re-established by Regional Security Office Yerevan in 
August of 2008.  The council is currently in its infancy, 
but efforts are underway to contact American businesses, 
the American Chamber of Commerce, religious groups, and 
NGOs in order to rebuild the organization. 
 
POC for OSAC Armenia is RSO Gordon Goetz.  RSO Goetz may be 
reached at (374)(10) 49-45-95 or through e-mail at 
 
goetzgh@state.gov.  Secondary POC for OSAC Armenia is ARSO 
Avo Avetyan.  ARSO Avetyan may be contacted at (374) (10) 
49-43-06 or through e-mail at avetyanaa@state.gov. 
 
¶3. (U) For additional information on crime and political 
violence in Armenia, please refer to post's Consular 
Information Sheet (CIS). 
 
¶4. (U) END TEXT.  No further information to follow. 
 
YOVANOVITCH