Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ANKARA2317
2003-04-10 06:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

GOT CONTINUES TO DELAY ARTICLE 98 AGREEMENT

Tags:  PREL MARR PHUM TU 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002317 

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2008
TAGS: PREL MARR PHUM TU
SUBJECT: GOT CONTINUES TO DELAY ARTICLE 98 AGREEMENT

REF: 02 ANKARA 8534 AND PREVIOUS


Classified by DCM Robert Deutsch; reasons 1.5 (b and d).


C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002317

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2008
TAGS: PREL MARR PHUM TU
SUBJECT: GOT CONTINUES TO DELAY ARTICLE 98 AGREEMENT

REF: 02 ANKARA 8534 AND PREVIOUS


Classified by DCM Robert Deutsch; reasons 1.5 (b and d).



1. (U) Action request--para 3.



2. (C) Feza Ozturk, head of the MFA International Political
Organizations Department, told us April 7 the MFA has put its
consideration of a draft bilateral Article 98 agreement on
hold. Ozturk attributed the hold to "the situation in Iraq."
He averred that the MFA supports an agreement in principle,
but does not want to expose the GOT to speculation about why
it is signing such an agreement during the war. We responded
that the USG is looking for areas of cooperation it can point
to in its relationship with Turkey. Ozturk replied that MFA
DG for Multilateral Political Affairs Batibay has decided
against signing an agreement until after the conflict in
Iraq.



3. (C) Comment and action request: Once again the GOT has
given a reason to delay an agreement. Until such time as EU
members begin to accept agreements we believe Turkey will
continue to avoid concluding an agreement with us. A
sustained, high-level effort might gain traction, but we
would welcome information on the status of Article 98
discussions with the EU and leading EU members.
PEARSON