AMBASSADOR MILLER MEETS WITH TURKISH MFA U/S ZIYAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 006451

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2013
TAGS: CY GR IZ PREL TU
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MILLER MEETS WITH TURKISH MFA U/S ZIYAL


(U) Classified by Ambassador Eric Edelman, E.O. 12958,
reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).



1. (C) Summary: Ambassador to Greece Thomas Miller met with
Turkish MFA U/S Ziyal during a one-day trip to Ankara on
October 10. Ziyal said his relations with Greek MFA SecGen
Skopelitis were good and he predicted Turkish-Greek relations
would improve as Turkey's relations with the EU improved. On
Cyprus, Ziyal disagreed with the Annan plan's border and
bizonality arrangements, worried about future violence
between Turkish and Greek Cypriots, and criticized SCC
Weston's remarks about Denktash. Ziyal emphasized Turkey's
desire for any Turkish troops sent to Iraq to be seen as
working with Iraqis and helping humanitarian efforts. Ziyal
agreed to explore the possibility of a joint Turkish-Greek
humanitarian project in Iraq. Ambassador Miller raised the
issue of illegal migration from Turkey to Greece; Ziyal
agreed Turkey needed better border controls. Ziyal foresaw
no breakthrough on the Halki Seminary issue. End Summary.


Turkey-Greece Relations



2. (C) Ambassador Miller said he was glad planned Turkish
and Greek military exercises on Cyprus were canceled. Ziyal
said Turkey needed good relations with Greece, but noted that
some in Greece continued to try to use relations with Turkey
for domestic political advantage. He also admitted that some
in Turkey have a similar agenda toward Greece. However,
Greece had become more confident after entering the EU and
felt less threatened by Turkey, and Turkey was overcoming its
insecurities about Greece. The Cem-Papandreu relationship
had taken on a life of its own, outlasted Cem, and had enough
momentum that it could outlast Papandreu.



3. (C) Ziyal predicted bilateral relations would improve "as
Turkey's EU vocation becomes clearer." He was tackling the
tough issues with Greek MFA SecGen Skopelitis, with whom he
had developed trust, although no great feelings of warmth.
Ziyal noted Skopelitis was being transferred to another
assignment. He worried about how Greece's April national
elections would affect bilateral relations but doubted that
any new Greek government would try to stir up anti-Turkish
sentiments.


Cyprus



4. (C) Ziyal said the GOT was committed to reaching a
comprehensive solution on Cyprus. He criticized SCC Weston
for remarks about Denktash. Ambassador Miller replied that
Ambassador Weston speaks for the USG on Cyprus and that the
GOT should heed his message. The USG would not accept
Denktash's insistence on a two-state solution.



5. (C) Ziyal said that the Annan plan's proposed borders
"would not fly" with the GOT and that there had to be
stronger bizonality guarantees. Moreover, any solution
needed to remove restrictions on travel by Turkish Cypriots
to the south. Ziyal said that, in the short term, Greek
Cypriots traveling to Turkish Cypriot zones would need
protection. There had already been some violent incidents,
he claimed, quelled by police. Moreover, the potential for
violence would increase after an agreement because of
heightened public expectations about the possibility of
return of former properties. Widespread violence could wreck
any agreement.


Iraq



6. (C) Ziyal said the GOT was being transparent about its
intentions in sending troops to Iraq: Turkey had a problem on
its southern border that needed attention. "We want a normal
Iraq, that's all," he added. But if Turkish troops were
perceived as an occupation force it would be a disaster.
Turkey would therefore seek to work with Iraqis and would
emphasize humanitarian projects. On the timing of troop
deployment, Ziyal said "the sooner the better."



7. (C) Ziyal said tensions between U.S. forces and Iraqis
would be eased if the U.S. announced a timetable for turnover
of government functions, even if the timetable later slipped.
As it was, the situation in Iraq was "not good."



8. (C) Ambassador Miller asked if there were any
possibilities for joint Turkish-Greek efforts in Iraq,
perhaps a joint field hospital or other medical endeavor.
Ziyal responded positively and said he would mention it to FM
Gul. (Amb. Miller subsequently relayed this positive GOT
response to Greek FM Papandreu.)


Turkey-Greece Border Issues



9. (C) Ambassador Miller pointed out recent incidents along
the Turkey-Greece border in which over 30 illegal migrants
had died (24 by drowning and 7 by landmines). Ziyal admitted
the GOT recently noted large discrepancies between the number
of people entering and leaving Turkey. He said Turkey needed
better border controls in the east and south and was
discussing the subject with the EU.


Halki Seminary



10. Ambassador Miller asked about the GOT's current thinking
on Halki seminary; some movement on the issue would greatly
boost Turkish-Greek relations. Ziyal downplayed any chance
of a breakthrough, which he said required amending Turkey's
Constitution by a "weighted majority." Ziyal doubted
amendment would be feasible just on the Halki issue; it
needed to be part of a larger package. Ziyal said the GOT
had offered to open Halki as part of a university but the
church had rejected the idea.



11. (U) This message has been cleared by Ambassador Miller.



12. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
EDELMAN