TURKEY AGREES ON U.S. APPROACH TO EU BALKAN OPS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000324 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/RPM AND EUR/SE E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2012 TAGS: PREL TU NATO SUBJECT: TURKEY AGREES ON U.S. APPROACH TO EU BALKAN OPS REF: STATE 9301 (U) Classified by DCM Robert Deutsch, reasons 1.5, b/d. DCM delivered reftel points on EU operations in the Balkans to MFA DG for International Security Affairs Morali January ¶13. Morali said the GOT agreed with the US approach and would support the US on this issue in Brussels. He noted that turning over peacekeeping in Macedonia to the EU likely would not present a problem, but SFOR would be more difficult, would take more time, and should be considered carefully. Withdrawing prematurely could jeopardize the fragile stability there. Morali noted the NAC discussion would be a good opportunity to examine the issue. When asked if the US efforts to turn over Balkans operations to the EU were part of a strategy to shift those forces to an Iraqi operation, the DCM reminded Morali that US policy has long been "in together, out together, but hasten the day." PEARSON