TURKISH MFA STICKING TO ITS GUNS ON ARMENIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 008126

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/08/2012
TAGS: PREL PGOV TU AM AJ
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA STICKING TO ITS GUNS ON ARMENIA

(U) Classified by DCM Robert S. Deutsch. Reasons: 1.5 (b,d)



1. (C) In separate meetings last week with EUR/SE Director
Hengel, MFA officials reiterated standard Turkish concerns in
relations with Armenia.



2. (C) Deputy Director General for the Caucasus and Central
Asia Ertan Tezgor told us Turkey will not move to normalize
relations with Armenia until Yerevan recognizes current
borders. "How can Turkey," he asked, "carry out good
neighborly relations when Armenia occupies 20% of Azeri
territory?" Director General for Bilateral Political Affairs
Ahmet Banguoglu said that the best way for USG to contribute
positively to Armenian-Turkish relations would be to "control
the Armenian lobby." Tezgor echoed Banguoglu, calling
Armenian American behavior on this issue "childish." He also
urged USG to "do something;" otherwise Armenia would fall
entirely under Russian influence. Banguoglu added that the
unresolved situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is a concern to the
GOT, but of a lesser order given immediate Turkish interest
in border and "lobby" issues.



3. (C) Comment: These views reflect an MFA in its
default-mode defensiveness, a condition exacerbated by the
current, though temporary, uncertainty as to who will be the
AK Party's choice for foreign minister in the next
government. We have heard Tezgor try to be more imaginative
in the past regarding a possible comprehensive
Turkey-Armenia-Azerbaijan solution; he may have an incentive
to return to this fresher mode of thinking once the new
government is in place. End comment.



4. (C) EUR/SE Director Hengel did not have the opportunity to
clear this cable.
PEARSON