TURKEY FORBIDS ENTRY OF GREEK CYPRIOT SHIPS INTO

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001255 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2013 TAGS: PREL EWWT TU SUBJECT: TURKEY FORBIDS ENTRY OF GREEK CYPRIOT SHIPS INTO TURKISH PORTS Classified by Ambassador W. Robert Pearson, Reason 1.5 (b,d) ¶1. (C) MFA Director for Bilateral Political Affairs Ahmet Banguoglu called DCM February 25 regarding Greek Cypriot-flagged ships delivering U.S. military equipment and/or supplies to a Turkish port. Banguoglu said he had been instructed to inform the embassy that, without exception, Greek Cypriot owned, flagged, or registered ships were not and would not be allowed to enter Turkish ports. Banguoglu noted that the Turkish government was "unhappy" that the U.S. had been so insensitive as to load equipment bound for Turkey on Cypriot-flagged vessels. ¶2. (C) Banguoglu said the Dutch had also raised the possibility of delivery of the Patriot Weapon Systems to Turkey on Greek Cypriot-flagged ships. After the GOT had informed them that use of these ships was not possible, the Dutch had found other means of delivery. DCM noted that the U.S. understood that at least one Greek Cypriot-flagged ship had entered port in Istanbul in 2002. Banguoglu responded that no such incident had taken place; even if it had, it was an accident, could not be a precedent, and would not be repeated. ¶3. (C) Ambassador also raised the issue with MFA U/S Ziyal, who confirmed GOT policy. Mission believes this is the final word on this issue. PEARSON