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