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