URGENT DEMARCHE: UN ACTION ON THE MIDDLE EAST

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 007400

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2013
TAGS: PREL KPAL IS TU
SUBJECT: URGENT DEMARCHE: UN ACTION ON THE MIDDLE EAST


REF: A. STATE 325119

B. STATE 326258


(U) Classified by Political Counselor John Kunstadter, e.o.
12958, reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).



1. (C) As the Turkish MFA was closed for the prolonged Seker
Bayram holiday, we presented reftel B demarche to MFA Middle
East Head Kemal Tuzun December 2. We noted that the
Palestinians were rethinking their request to have the
International Court of Justice adjudicate the legality of the
Israeli fence. Tuzun said the MFA would consult internally
and with its UN Mission before confirming a position.



2. (C) Tuzun predicted Turkey would vote in line with prior
UN votes. He said Turkey continues to value its unique
position of having close ties with both Israel and the
Palestinians. However, in order to maintain its
"credibility" with the Palestinians, Tuzun believed Turkey
would not vote against the ICJ resolution if it came up, and
would not oppose resolutions authorizing the Division of
Palestinian Rights or the Committee on the Exercise of the
Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.



3. (C) Tuzun viewed Israel's fence construction as
counterproductive, making it more difficult to achieve a
solution. Tuzun said the barrier would degrade living
conditions for the Palestinians, serve as a catalyst for
radical activity, and be counterproductive for Israeli
security. Tuzun said that UN decisions may carry moral
weight, but are not binding. On the subject of the Geneva
agreement, Tuzun said any effort to advance peace was
welcome, but he worried this would take the focus off the
Road Map, which he said was the most crucial and viable means
of achieving a lasting settlement.
DEUTSCH