DEMARCHE ON STROVILIA DELIVERED

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 003691 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2013 TAGS: PREL TU CY GR SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON STROVILIA DELIVERED REF: SECSTATE 152362 (U) Classified by DCM Robert S. Deutsch. Reason: 1.5 (b,d). ¶1. (SBU) We presented reftel demarche to Ethem Barkan Oz, first secretary in Cyprus Directorate General, who undertook to convey USG concerns to Cyprus DG Ertugrul Apakan. ¶2. (C) Implying that he did not understand why the USG was making the demarche, Oz denied vehemently that Turkish Cypriots are breaking any pre-existing agreement with the UN or Cypriot government. Oz explained that the Turkish Cypriots had only occupied the single -- and abandoned, he claimed -- home in Strovilia to help facilitate the flow of people between the two sides. Further, Oz argued that unless the Turkish Cypriots remain in the house, they will not be able to keep the gate open. By lodging complaints with UNFICYP about Strovilia, Oz asserted, the Greek Cypriots are spoiling the current positive atmosphere on the island. PEARSON