DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON PIC STEERING BOARD MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002042 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2004 TAGS: PGOV PREL BK SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON PIC STEERING BOARD MEETING REF: STATE 840220 (U) CLASSIFIED BY POLCOUNSELOR JKUNSTADTER. REASONS 1.5 (B) A AND (D). ¶1. (C) WE DELIVERED REFTEL DEMARCHE TO MFA BALKANS OFFICER AHMET ERGIN. ERGIN CONFIRMED THAT HE WOULD INFORM TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO SARAJEVAO WHO WILL BE ATTENDING THE MEETING. ERGIN NOTED THE PIC BOARD WAS INCLINED TO BE CAUTIOUS REGARDING REMOVAL OF PRESIDENT SAROVIC AND ASKED IF THE USG HAD CONSIDERED THE CONSEQUENCES THAT WOULD RESULT FROM HIS REMOVAL. WE RESPONDED THAT IT IS ESSENTIAL TO UPHOLD PRINCIPLES ON THIS ISSUE. ERGIN REQUESTED ANY INFORMATION WASHINGTON CAN PROVIDE CONCERNING AN AGENDA FOR THE PROPOSED JUNE MEETING IN BRCKO. PEARSON