Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ANKARA1877
2004-03-30 11:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

PRELIMINARY TURKISH REACTION TO AUSTRALIA GROUP

Tags:  ETTC PARM PREL TU 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

301130Z Mar 04
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001877

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR NP/CBM, NEA


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2029
TAGS: ETTC PARM PREL TU
SUBJECT: PRELIMINARY TURKISH REACTION TO AUSTRALIA GROUP
PLENARY REGIONAL NONPROLIFERATION PROPOSALS


REF: STATE 68716


(U) Classified by Acting Economic Counselor Andrew Snow for
reasons 1.4 B, D, and H.


(C) Econoff delivered reftel points on promoting adherence to
Australia Group (AG) guidelines, enhanced outreach to key
countries and relations with Syria to Bulent Meric, head of
the Arms Control/Disarmament Department at MFA, on March 30.
Meric responded that he would study our paper, but offered a
preliminary objection to our proposal that AG participants
not improve bilateral relations with Syria until Syria
improves its chemical-biological weapons nonproliferation
behavior. Meric said that Turkey sought improved ties with
Syria, while simultaneously urging the GOS to cease efforts
to develop WMD. He stated that dialogue with Syria gives
Turkey the opportunity to press the case for Syria to adhere
to international norms and to address our concerns on
proliferation. Meric contended that the GOT had consulted
with Israel on this, and that the GOI was "satisfied" with
Turkey's dialogue with Syria. Econoff responded that the USG
views continued Syrian proliferation efforts as incompatible
with improved bilateral relations.
EDELMAN