Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ANKARA7134
2003-11-17 13:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR'S NOV. 14 MEETING WITH P.M. ERDOGAN

Tags:  PREL PGOV EFIN TU IZ 
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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 007134 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV EFIN TU IZ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S NOV. 14 MEETING WITH P.M. ERDOGAN


(U) Classified by CDA a.i. Robert Deutsch; reasons: 1.5 (b,d).


C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 007134

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV EFIN TU IZ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S NOV. 14 MEETING WITH P.M. ERDOGAN


(U) Classified by CDA a.i. Robert Deutsch; reasons: 1.5 (b,d).



1. (C) Summary: USG's tougher language and steps against
PKK/KADEK/KHK in Iraq has made strong impression on P.M.
Erdogan and he responded positively to Ambassador's statement
that Washington has put its unhappiness with Turkey behind
us. Erdogan sees back-to-back defense and economic
partnership meetings in Washington as important steps to
reestablish a strategic partnership. Highest on Erdogan's
immediate agenda is removal of political conditions from the
financial agreement implementing the $8.5B loan offer. End
summary.



2. (U) Owing to Erdogan's delayed return to Ankara,
Ambassador's previously-scheduled meeting took place at 0130
Nov. 15.



3. (C) Reiterating Vice President Cheney's telephone message
to Erdogan, Ambassador underscored Washington's gratitude for
the statesmanlike way Erdogan and the GOT handled the
decision not to send troops to Iraq. GOT actions during the
past six weeks have deepened the sense in the USG that the
uncertainty generated by Turkey's March 1 refusal to allow
deployment of U.S. troops through a northern front is behind
us.



4. (C) Handing over the text of Department deputy spokesman's
Nov. 14 statement on the PKK, Ambassador drew Erdogan's
attention to the clear USG stance against the PKK/KADEK,
including under its new guise as KHK. A name change does not
change our classification of the PKK as a terrorist
organization. Moreover, the CPA in Baghdad has new
instructions to try to prevent a rumored PKK/KHK press
conference from taking place in Iraq.



5. (C) The Ambassador noted he had reiterated to MFA U/S
Ziyal Nov. 13 that, given Congress' attachment of political
conditions to the $8.5B loan which we are offering Turkey, it
will be very difficult to modify these conditions. However,
the USG will take another look at possible ways to meet
Turkey's needs; the Ambassador undertook to work with Ziyal
to review possible adjustments. Regarding an official visit
for Erdogan, late January or February are more likely
possibilities than December and Washington is reviewing
Erdogan's request for an official visit by President Bush at
the time of the June 2004 NATO summit in Istanbul.



6. (C) In affirming that Turkey remains ready to contribute
to stability in Iraq any way it can, Erdogan expressed strong
appreciation for the new USG language and more decisive steps
against the PKK in Iraq. The EU should demonstrate the same
attitude. The back-to-back High Level Defense Group (HLDG)
meeting Nov. 18-19 and Economic Partnership Council (EPC)
meeting in early December demonstrate that bilateral
relations are back on course, Erdogan added; it will be
important to build on the meetings to show that the strategic
partnership is functioning again. Erdogan declared that a
strong bilateral dialogue is also key to stymie those in
Turkey who aim to corral the AK government and put Turkish
politics back into a confined space.



7. (C) Concerning the two meetings, Erdogan sees the HLDG as
re-cementing good mil-mil relations. The GOT would like to
use the EPC to revive consideration of QIZs. Responding to
the Ambassador's remarks on the $8.5B loan, Erdogan said the
political opposition is trying to misuse the political
conditionality, making it too risky to take advantage of the
loan in the run-up to crucial country-wide local elections in
March 2004. However, the financial markets have included the
$8.5B in their analyses, and the uncertainty troubles the
markets. The GOT wants to preserve the loan offer as an
important positive reference point. The GOT does not want to
change the financial conditions, but Erdogan will expect
Ziyal to negotiate a successful change in the political
conditions on the margins of the EPC.



8. (C) Comment: Cordial atmosphere despite the late hour and
Erdogan's obvious exhaustion after a long day carrying the
government's message to his family's homeland in Rize. USG's
statement on the PKK made a strong impression on Erdogan.
His explicit linkage of the importance of a strong dialogue
with the U.S. to his ability to overcome resistance to his
government's reform program underlines his desire to be seen
to work with us as he struggles to shape Turkey's future.
End comment.



9. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
DEUTSCH