Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ANKARA2139
2003-04-01 14:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

ANNUAL ARMENIA PROCLAMATION: GOT SENSITIVITIES

Tags:  PREL AM TU 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002139 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/31/2013
TAGS: PREL AM TU
SUBJECT: ANNUAL ARMENIA PROCLAMATION: GOT SENSITIVITIES


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


C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002139

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/31/2013
TAGS: PREL ARMENIA'>AM TU
SUBJECT: ANNUAL ARMENIA PROCLAMATION: GOT SENSITIVITIES


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



1. (C) Summary: MFA DG Tezcan expressed the GOT's opposition
to use of the term "genocide" in referring to the events of
1915 and asked the U.S. to refrain from using that term in
connection with the April commemoration events. DCM
encouraged the GOT to renew efforts to reconcile views of
history and to seek ways to improve relations with ARMENIA.
End Summary.



2. (C) On March 28, at the MFA's request, DCM met with Ecvet
Tezcan, DG for Intelligence and Research. Tezcan, who was
accompanied by DDG for the Americas Suna Ilicak, wanted to
highlight Turkey's concern regarding the content of President
Bush's upcoming April 24 ARMENIA proclamation. The GOT had
learned that 104 Congressmen had jointly sent a letter to the
President asking that this year he use the word "genocide" in
describing the events of 1915.



3. (C) Tezcan underlined Turkish sensitivities about the use
of genocide, reminding DCM that characterization of the 1915
events as genocide would affect bilateral relations, as it
had with France. He described U.S.-Turkey relations as
fundamentally close and durable, but he urged that we not add
a further "test" by making an issue of what, from the Turkish
perspective, ought to be a matter for historians.



4. (C) Harkening back to the year 2000 debate regarding the
commemoration, Tezcan called the annual commemoration a
"sword of Damocles" for our bilateral relationship. He
expressed displeasure with the use in last year's
proclamation of the word "massacre," but he did not push the
point. He thought that certain groups might view the current
U.S.-Turkish "problems" over northern Iraq as an opportunity
to profit at Turkey's expense, but he asked that the USG
recognize the dangers of stirring centuries' old hatreds in
the region at this time.



5. (C) The DCM replied that the USG recognizes Turkey's
sensitivity on this topic. He added that we had always found
ways to address the issue, but we encourage Turkey to
reinvigorate the attempts to reconcile differing views of
history. We also encourage Turkey to facilitate steps to put
ARMENIAn-Turkish bilateral relations on a "better footing,"
such as opening the border.


PEARSON