Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ANKARA2155
2003-04-02 14:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TURKEY: GOT CONCERN ABOUT CYPRUS EU ACCESSION

Tags:  PGOV PREL TU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002155 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2013
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: GOT CONCERN ABOUT CYPRUS EU ACCESSION
DOCUMENTS


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


C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002155

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2013
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: GOT CONCERN ABOUT CYPRUS EU ACCESSION
DOCUMENTS


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



1. (C) In a March 28 meeting with DCM, MFA Cyprus DG Apakan
raised GOT concerns about the draft EU protocol on Cyprus
that will be attached to the accession partnership documents
new members will sign on April 16.



2. (C) According to Apakan, the draft copy of the protocol
obtained by the GOT crosses Turkish red lines by: (1)
referring to the "Republic of Cyprus," not to the "New
Partnership;" (2) essentially ruling out long-standing
principles of bizonality on the island; (3) ignoring the
declaration at the EU's Helsinki summit in 1999 that "all
relevant factors (i.e., lack of a solution on Cyprus) would
be considered" in the context of whether to admit the island.
Apakan implied that admitting a divided Cyprus ran contrary
to this sentiment; (4) and closing the door on the
possibility that a solution will ever be reached.



3. (C) If there is any hope for a settlement, room in the
document must be preserved for the application of these
principles, Apakan stated. Therefore the UN, and the USG,
should lobby EU members on Turkey's behalf to ensure that the
final version of the protocol reflects these principles.


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DCM Replies
--------------



4. (C) DCM noted that Embassy would be pleased to relay
Apakan's views to Department. He also noted that, however:
(1) GOT concerns are now with an EU process over which the
United States, not being a member, has no control; which was
why (2) the USG had so strongly urged Turkey in the run up to
the EU's Copenhagen summit in last December -- and indeed
since the Helsinki summit, when the EU formally accepted
Turkey's candidacy -- to come to terms on Cyprus.


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TGS Drop-By
--------------



5. (C) TGS Greece-Cyprus department head RADM Kadir Sagdic
subsequently dropped in on the meeting and made the following
points: (1) the USG's "mistake" regarding Cyprus was to have
"fallen under the spell" of UK Cyprus negotiator Hannay --
whom, Sagdic charged, was on the take, having received some
USG 5 million in payoffs from the Greek Cypriots; and (2) it
"would be better from the U.S. point of view" if two
sovereign and independent states were to be established on
Cyprus, which could, in theory, merge at some future date,
when they would simultaneously join the EU. DCM reiterated
the points he had made earlier to Apakan. (Comment: Sagdic
was essentially calling on the USG to recognize the "TRNC."
His views are among the most extreme at TGS. End comment.)
PEARSON