TURKEY WARILY EMBRACING PSI

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001372

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2014
TAGS: PARM MOPS PREL TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY WARILY EMBRACING PSI


REF: ANKARA 1120


(U) Classified by Pol-Mil Counselor Timothy A. Betts, reasons
1.4, b/d.



1. (C) TGS Deputy J-5 MG Arslan told Pol-Mil Counselor
February 18 that the GOT intended to act primarily as an
observer of PSI in 2004 and planned more active participation
in PSI activities in 2005. Earlier Arslan had joked with
PolMilOff that Turkey planned to be involved in PSI "as
little as possible." He noted that Turkey wanted to be
involved in this important initiative but had reservations
about some of the legal questions surrounding the activities.
(With Pol-Mil Counselor, he indicated these questions had
more to do with domestic Turkish statutes than international
law.) In addition, resources in Turkey are always scarce.



2. (C) Comment: At the February 18 Joint Staff Talks the GOT
shared the recent communique from its BLACKSEAFOR political
consultations (reftel). The communique clearly indicates a
regional willingness to use multinational forces to counter
asymmetric threats, but GOT officials noted that Russia in
particular was not ready to conduct PSI-like activities with
the US in the Black Sea. The Turks share our concerns about
proliferation and smuggling but are likely waiting to see how
the international community writ large accepts another bold
US initiative and to ensure that their eventual contribution
is consistent with domestic law before jumping in with both
feet.
EDELMAN