Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ANKARA4550
2003-07-21 10:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TURKEY: MFA DISCUSSES ARMENIA, CAUCASUS ISSUES

Tags:  PGOV PREL TU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 004550 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2012
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: MFA DISCUSSES ARMENIA, CAUCASUS ISSUES

(U) Classified by DCM Robert S. Deutsch. Reason:1.5(b)(d)


C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 004550

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2012
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: MFA DISCUSSES ARMENIA, CAUCASUS ISSUES

(U) Classified by DCM Robert S. Deutsch. Reason:1.5(b)(d)



1. (C) Summary: MFA officials have provided us with the
latest GOT thinking on developments regarding ARMENIA and the
Caucasus, including efforts to reach out to the ARMENIAn
Diaspora in the U.S. and elsewhere, and heightened attention
to the strategic situation in the Caucasus region in the wake
of the Iraq war. End summary.


--------------
Diaspora, NK
--------------



2. (C) Ecvet Tezcan, DG for Intelligence and Research, told
us following his recent visits with the ARMENIAn Diaspora
that he is trying to put together a package that combines
improving access to ARMENIAn religious sites in Turkey with
improved Turkish-ARMENIAn state relations as a way to move
past the "genocide" issue. On the Diaspora issue, Tezcan
said that the GOT is exploring identifying the ARMENIAn
religious sites at Ani and Akdamar Island in Lake Van as
World Patrimony, conducting restoration work and promoting a
visit to these sites by leading ARMENIAn Patriarchs. During
such a visit Turkish authorities would be prepared to express
sorrow at the tragedy of 1915-1918 events. The opening of
the sites would be accompanied by establishment of reciprocal
academic institutes -- for ARMENIAn and Turkish scholars in
Yerevan to access relevant archives and study the events to
provide greater historical perspective.



3. (C) On the state side Tezcan suggested that he believed
the Diaspora could support a package of measures yielding
Turkish-ARMENIAn rapprochement if delivered from
Nagorno-Karabakh (NK). He suggested ARMENIA could recognize
the existing border indirectly, either by confirming
pre-existing treaties or accepting the OSCE resolution on the
inviolability of Soviet borders. The ARMENIAns might also
withdraw from a limited number of occupied areas whole
keeping others linked to the NK dispute. In exchange Turkey
would be able to open the ARMENIAn border and pursue further
rapprochement, without linkage to NK. Tezcan suggested he
had found significant support for this approach in the
Diaspora as he portrayed an opening with Turkey as the only
way to avoid further deterioration in ARMENIA and greater
dependence on Russia.


--------------
Strategic Considerations
--------------



4. (C) In a July 16 meeting MFA Caucasus DDG Ertan Tezgor
related to A/POL that discussions with ARMENIAn officials at
and since the Madrid Summit have focused on a package of
issues aimed at normalizing GOT-GOA relations, including: 1)
efforts to elicit ARMENIAn acceptance of Turkish territorial
integrity and existing borders; 2) the matter of "ARMENIAn
genocide" and the Diaspora; and 3) resolution of the NK
conflict -- with Tezgor asserting that, in the GOT view, an
NK settlement, while important, is "no longer a precondition"
for improving bilateral ties. According to Tezgor, ARMENIAn
F.M. Ozkanian is pleased with the fact that NK is not,
strictly speaking, a quid pro quo, adding that while the
Turks expect continuing good faith efforts to solve the
problem, the change in attitude paves the way for progress on
the other fronts. A solution to NK, Tezgor said, is "crucial
for the ARMENIAns"; Yerevan has its own domestic political
and other reasons to press ahead. The problem is that GOA
policy making is dominated by ethnic NKers, who look to
Russia for support. Ozkanian, meanwhile, is trying to make
sure that ARMENIA's ties to the West are not undercut.



5. (C) Tezgor went on at length about the Russians, who he
said in the aftermath of the Iraq war are increasingly
exhibiting a "Czarist mentality." Moscow is seeking to
exploit a power and interest vacuum caused in part by the
diversion of USG attention elsewhere. The Iranians are also
increasingly active, for similar reasons. Tezgor admonished
that the USG and Turkey "should work together" against these
challenges. He elaborated that Russia in particular is
trying to drag Turkey into diplomatic initiatives, along with
Iran, that are designed in part to undercut USG influence.



6. (C) A/Pol queried whether, given the MFA's careful
attention to domestic political developments on this front in
ARMENIA, Russia and even the USG, Tezgor could provide a
similar analysis about the lay of the land in Ankara. This
would be helpful, given that we have heard public comments on
occasion from officials who take a far more benign view of
Russia and others in the region -- notably Gen. Tuncer
Kilinc, current SecGen of the powerful Turkish NSC. Tezgor
acknowledged that there are different views and considerable
sensitivities in Ankara, but that his view, not Kilinc's, is
the dominant one. That said, Tezgor also asserted that
tensions in USG-GOT mil-mil relations since the Iraq war --
and particularly since the July 4 incident involving the
brief detention of Turkish soldiers by U.S. forces in
Suleimaniyah -- have created opportunities for "mischief"
(yaramazlik) in the Caucasus and elsewhere by casting a
shadow over the bilateral military relationship.



7. (C) Tezgor noted that he would be traveling to the
Caucasus on July 20, and will be in Yerevan at the Yerevan
hotel July 21-22. He would be more than happy to discuss the
issues with Ambassador Ordway if the opportunity presents
itself, he noted.
PEARSON