AMBASSADOR-ZIYAL MEETING ON IRAQ, REGIONAL ISSUES,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 007115

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR EUR/SE, NEA/NGA, E AND EB


E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/13
TAGS: ECON PREL ETRD IZ KIPR TU EINV
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR-ZIYAL MEETING ON IRAQ, REGIONAL ISSUES,
AND EPC



1. (U) Classified by Ambassador Eric Edelman for reasons 1.5
(B) and (D).


Summary
--------------



2. (C) At their November 13 meeting, MFA Undersecretary Ugur
Ziyal told the Ambassador that the GOT wanted to engage the
USG on regional issues, particularly Iraq. Ziyal maintained
that the USG and Turkey shared a common interest in restoring
stability in Iraq, and suggested a "structured dialogue" to
enable the GOT to play a helpful role. On Cyprus, Ziyal said
the GOT was working toward a solution, but needs the support
of the USG and others. He also voiced concern about
instability in the Caucasus. The Ambassador responded that,
in addition to Ziyal's visit to Washington in December, the
Prime Minister's possible visit to Washington and the NATO
Summit offered opportunities to broaden our dialogue on
regional issues. He briefed Ziyal on a recent skirmish
between PKK/Kadek and a U.S.-Iraqi border patrol. The
Ambassador also raised the importance of making progress on
problems facing U.S. companies at the Economic Partnership
Commission meeting in December. End Summary.


MFA Asks for Engagement on Iraq and Other Regional Issues
-------------- --------------



3. (SBU) Ziyal told the Ambassador he would seek meetings in
Washington on Iraq, the Caucasus, Afghanistan and other
regional issues in conjunction with his travel for the
Economic Partnership Commission meeting on December 2 and 3.



4. (C) Raising continuing instability in Iraq, Ziyal
criticized the Iraqi Governing Council as fragmented and
ineffective. With the troop deployment issue resolved,
Turkey would like to help in the political and economic
process of restoring stability. In particular, the Turkish
experience in countering PKK terrorism could be useful to the
CPA in its effort to combat terror in Iraq. The GOT is
following developments in northern Iraq closely, but it is
also deeply interested in stabilization of the whole of the
country. Ziyal maintained that U.S. success in Iraq would
also be a success for Turkey. He urged that the USG engage
in a more structured dialogue with Turkey on Iraq.



5. (C) Ziyal noted that Jalal Talabani, visiting Turkey next
week as head of the Iraqi Governing Council, will be received
by the Prime Minister and the Acting Foreign Minister. Ziyal
stated that the GOT would like to encourage Talabani to play
a positive role in Iraq.



6. (C) The Ambassador briefed Ziyal on the November 8
skirmish between a joint U.S.-Iraqi border patrol and the
PKK/Kadek, and on the USG's determination to prevent the PKK
from holding a press conference in Iraq. He also raised the
upcoming visit of PRM A/S Dewey to Turkey on the Makhmur camp
issue, urging MFA to include the TGS, Interior Ministry and
Jandarma in discussions with USG and UNHCR representatives.



7. (C) On Cyprus, Ziyal said the GOT was working toward a
solution, but it needs the help of the USG, EU and the
Greeks. He opined that a coalition government was likely to
take power after the elections in northern Cyprus. Ziyal
also voiced concern about instability in the Caucasus
following elections in Georgia and ARMENIA.



8. (C) The Ambassador responded that a possible visit for the
Prime Minister to Washington, and the NATO Summit in 2004
could provide opportunities to broaden our dialogue and
achieve results on regional issues. Expressing appreciation
for Turkey's leadership of the ISAF, the Ambassador suggested
that the GOT continue to focus on cooperation with the USG
and other NATO allies in Afghanistan.



9. (C) The Ambassador also raised Turkey's relationship with
the EU, and maintained that the USG would continue to support
Turkey's desire to start accession talks. Ziyal responded
that, if the EU does not offer Turkey a date for negotiations
next year, this would deal a severe blow to the country's
European orientation and would strengthen the position of
those seeking non-Western models for Turkey.


Economic Partnership Commission (EPC)
--------------

10. (SBU) The Ambassador told Ziyal that we view progress on
investment issues as the key to a successful EPC meeting, and
to Turkey's efforts attract badly-needed foreign direct
investment. The Ambassador passed Ziyal a list of business
issues facing U.S. companies, drawing particular attention to
intellectual property problems in the pharmaceutical sector
and to the possibility that Turkey could be elevated in the
Special 301 Watch Lists in 2004 if it did not take action on
this. Ziyal agreed on the importance of resolving at least
some of these issues. He also said he would like to overcome
the opposition of Turkey's textile lobby and move forward on
securing Qualifying Industrial Zones for Turkey. However,
Ziyal did not lay out his goals for the meeting,
acknowledging that he had not yet been well-briefed.



11. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
EDELMAN