TOBACCO CONTROL DEMARCHE RESPONSE: TURKEY STILL

UNCLAS ANKARA 003014 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FOR IO/T, EUR/SE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC PREL TU SUBJECT: TOBACCO CONTROL DEMARCHE RESPONSE: TURKEY STILL FORMULATING POSTION REF: SECSTATE 106632 MFA International Organizations Cam Oguz advised (5/4) that Turkey is unlikely to develop a position on the "no reservation" clause of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control prior to the World Health Assembly meeting. However, U/S FT DDG Agreements Husnu Dilemre said that under the customs union with the EU, the GOT is obligated to toe the EU line and support the inclusion of the clause. In the unlikely event that the EU position changes, Turkey would probably join the EU consensus, he said. The lead agency on the convention, the Ministry of Health, received demarche materials on 5/2, but has not developed a position. PEARSON