TURKISH MFA RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON ARAFAT CONTACTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002809

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/01/2013
TAGS: PREL KPAL KWBG IS TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON ARAFAT CONTACTS


REF: STATE 106646


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



1. (C) In absence of higher-ranking MFA officials, we
delivered reftel demarche to Acting Head of Department for
Middle East and Maghreb Tuzun. In response Tuzun said he is
not aware of any current GOT plans to visit Arafat.



2. (C) Noting Turkey's strong support for President Bush,s
initiative, Tuzun underscored Turkey's good relations with
both Palestinians and Israelis and readiness to contribute to
a solution. After citing a Turkish-translation of a
&Ha,aretz8 article quoting Japanese Foreign Minister
Yoriko Kawaguchi saying she will meet Arafat despite Israeli
objections, Tuzun then shared his personal view regarding
Turkish relations with the Palestinians and Israelis. He
stated that, since Arafat is the legally elected Palestinian
chairman, it would not be proper not to visit him and it
would be more useful to have direct talks with Arafat to
express Turkish views. It would not be useful to put
restrictions on dealing with the Palestinians at the
beginning of the peace process. Tuzun re-emphasized these
views are his own. We asked him to ensure U.S. views were
considered at more senior levels.
PEARSON