AMBASSADOR'S INITIAL CALL ON FONMIN GUL: FOCUS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 005464

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS TU IZ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S INITIAL CALL ON FONMIN GUL: FOCUS ON
IRAQ, MIDDLE EAST, CYPRUS, ARMENIA, TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS


(U) Classified by Ambassador Eric Edelman; reasons: 1.5 (b,d).



1. (C) Summary: FonMin Gul said Aug. 27 the GOT wants a
democratic, stable Iraq able to govern itself; GOT will move
cautiously toward a decision on possible troop contribution
to stabilization force; U.S. response to Turkey's concerns on
PKK/Kadek remains a key point for Ankara. Reaffirming U.S.
commitment to a strategic relationship, Ambassador reiterated
U.S. hope for a Turkish troop contribution in Iraq; urged
renewed GOT efforts for a Cyprus settlement based on Annan
III and normalized relations with Armenia; cautioned against
a P.M. Erdogan trip to Iran, especially before making a trip
to Washington or Tel Aviv; and called for continued Turkish
progress on trafficking in persons and child abduction. End
summary.



2. (C) Warmly welcoming the Ambassador Aug. 27, FonMin Gul
said Turkey takes it as a reaffirmation of the importance
Washington attaches to bilateral relations that the
Administration would appoint someone who had been serving as
a senior aide to the Vice President. Although the two
countries have experienced problems at times, it's been all
in the family. Most important is that Turkey and the U.S.
share values: an attachment to democracy, human rights, and a
market economy. Since what the U.S. wants to see in the rest
of the world reflects these common values, Turkey will
cooperate, even on difficult issues.


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IRAQ
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3. (C) In regard to shared values, Iraq is especially
sensitive for Turkey and Turkey cannot remain indifferent,
Gul said. Turkey prefers a democratic, stable, free-market
Iraq at peace with its neighbors, an Iraq in which a
broad-based government rules its own country. Therefore, the
GOT has instructed the Turkish military to consult with its
American counterparts and has dispatched fact-finding teams
to Iraq. At the same time, the GOT faces opposition in
parliament and from the intellectual elite. "I am doing my
best to prepare public opinion, although it's not easy," Gul
added. Turkey is looking at Iraq as a whole. However,
Turkey has concerns in the north. Moreover, elimination of
the PKK/Kadek is essential and the U.S. must avoid a
situation in which the PKK/Kadek misinterprets U.S. policy
and avoids laying down its arms.



4. (C) In emphasizing his goal of playing a constructive
role, Ambassador responded that he has come as a friend of
Turkey, bearing the message from President Bush, Vice
President Cheney, and Secretary Powell that the U.S. and
Turkey have an important strategic relationship which has
withstood many tests over time. Moreover, the President
remains personally engaged in strongly supporting Turkey's EU
candidacy.



5. (C) On Iraq, the Ambassador noted newly arrived
instructions reiterating President Bush's unshaken resolve in
the face of recent terrorist attacks in Baghdad, Tel Aviv,
and Jerusalem. We are committed to remain in Iraq as long as
it takes to stabilize the situation and to depart when a
capable civilian government is in place. We look forward to
working with our friends and allies to achieve this goal. In
this context we would welcome a Turkish contribution to the
stabilization force; we expect Turkey to make its decision
based on its own calculation of national interests. While we
recognize Turkey's specific concerns in the northern part of
Iraq, it is important to look at the situation as a whole and
to create in Baghdad a government capable of disposing of the
country's ample resources to the benefit of all. We are
trying to ease tensions in the north. We are pleased at the
better communication between the U.S. and Turkey, including
the Bremer/Turkish delegation meeting in Baghdad, our
provision of responses to cooperation proposals MFA U/S Ziyal
presented in Washington in June, and Turkey's impending
assumption of a place in the CIC. Washington continues to
work on our proposal for dealing with the PKK/Kadek in line
with our commitment to end terrorism threats in any form from
Iraq.


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MIDDLE/NEAR EAST
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6. (C) We will remain engaged in a search for peace between
Israelis and Palestinians, the Ambassador said. In this
effort it is important to shut down recruitment of terrorists
and generation of financial sources for terrorism, especially
by Hamas, to avoid disruption of the road map.



7. (C) We appreciate the good U.S.-Turkish dialogue on Iran,
the Ambassador noted. U.S. concerns remain strong regarding
Iran's nuclear program, in particular unanswered questions
surrounding the fuel cycle, and the impending IAEA Board of
Governors' meeting will be a key reference point. We have
also heard that P.M. Erdogan might be considering a visit to
Iran. Such a visit, especially before he makes a visit to
the U.S. or Israel, could be construed in Washington as
Turkey's seeking Iran's approval to join the stabilization
force and in any event would have a deleterious effect on
views of the GOT in the Administration and Congress.



8. (C) Gul did not respond on the latter point. On prospects
for Middle East peace, he emphasized that, despite being
disappointed by the deterioration in the climate, the GOT
knows the U.S. remains committed to the road map. Turkey
wants to play a positive role and will soon make an
announcement regarding the peace process.


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CYPRUS
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9. (C) With May 2004 bringing both Cyprus accession to the EU
and a possible presidential visit in connection with the NATO
summit in Istanbul, Ambassador pressed for renewal of Turkish
attention this autumn to the search for a solution. Annan
III remains the best basis for a solution. U.S. Special
Cyprus Coordinator Weston plans to visit the region in
October. In the wake of this spring's CBMs, the will of the
people on both sides is clearly for a settlement. Political
leaders on both sides should seize the opportunity. The U.S.
puts great emphasis on having December local elections in the
north held freely and fairly, preferably with international
monitors.



10. (C) Gul declared that elections will definitely be fair.
One should also expect new CBMs from the Turkish Cypriot
side. The GOT wants a settlement. This problem cannot go on
unsolved: "No solution is not a solution." Turkey's concern,
however, is that a settlement be realistic and lasting; the
GOT could not afford to have a settlement unravel.


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ARMENIA
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11. (C) Noting the heavy expenditure of political capital by
the Vice President and Secretary Powell to avert an Armenian
genocide resolution, the Ambassador emphasized that it is
getting harder and harder to deflect such language. It is
best to leave the question to historians. But the issue is
more manageable if Turco-Armenian talks proceed to the point
where Turkey opens the border.



12. (C) Asking that we treat the information as exceptionally
sensitive, Gul noted that Turco-Armenian talks have been
continuing on a periodic basis in Istanbul. His meeting with
Armenian FonMin Oskanyan in Madrid went well; the two plan to
meet on the margins of the UNGA in late September. At the
same time it is important to have a smooth transition in
Azerbaijan, which could help bring the three FonMins together
in an effort to make progress on the question as a whole.


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TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
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13. (C) In recalling that Washington will issue its decision
in September on Turkey's TIP country classification, the
Ambassador took note of Turkey's concrete progress in taking
steps to combat TIP but cautioned that, whatever the
classification turns out to be next month, it is essential to
maintain progress.



14. (C) Gul responded that Turkey is doing its best; the GOT
is keen on pursuing TIP. But Turkey has already achieved
much progress and the GOT strongly hopes for a decision to
move Turkey up from Tier III to Tier II.


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HAGUE CONVENTION/CHILD ABDUCTION
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15. (C) The U.S. is pleased Turkey has signed the Convention;
now it is important to pursue enforcement. The U.S. might be
able to offer technical assistance or judicial exchanges in
this regard. The objective is to ensure that the highly
combustible issue of child abduction is handled properly so
that it does not interfere with our ability to focus on the
strategic dimension of the bilateral relationship.



16. (C) DirGen for the Americas Banguoglu responded that one
child abduction case is now in the Turkish courts; we should
await the decision.



17. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
EDELMAN