TURKEY LOOKING TO MINIMIZE AEGEAN TENSIONS FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002698

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2029
TAGS: PREL MOPS GR TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY LOOKING TO MINIMIZE AEGEAN TENSIONS FOR
OLYMPICS; ENCOURAGING GREECE TO ENGAGE ON CBMS


REF: A. ANKARA 943

B. ATHENS 1701


(U) Classified by Political Military Counselor Timothy A.
Betts. Reason 1.4 (b) and (d).



1. (C) PolmilCouns sought an update on the status of
Greek-Turkish military relations in the wake of PM Erdogan's
visit to Athens (ref B) from TGS/J5 Greece/Cyprus Director
RADM Mucahit Sislioglu on May 10. The Admiral was hopeful
that the PM's visit had laid the groundwork to move forward
on better military-to-military relations. The relationship
needed a push, he explained. The Greek military had failed
to answer the letter TGS sent last February inviting Greek
military officers to Turkey, despite indications that they
were receptive and that the Greek Foreign Ministry was
supportive (ref A). He allowed that the Turkish side had not
pursued the matter very aggressively, explaining that once
the policy was set by TGS/J5, action was transferred to
TGS/J3. The operators "don't understand the importance of
these simple meetings," he said. He also opined that the
Greek side was likely preoccupied with preparations for the
Olympics. Nonetheless, Sislioglu's office had prepared a
follow-up letter that the Turkish attache in Athens delivered
during the week of May 3. Sislioglu was "99% sure" the
Greeks would respond within two weeks, although he had reason
to believe the answer would be negative. In that event, TGS
would ask MFA to inquire about the apparent change of heart
in the next round of senior bilateral talks on the Aegean.



2. (C) When asked whether the Greek and Turkish militaries
had discussed Olympic security, Sislioglu said the Turks
tried, but the Greeks were not interested. TGS wanted to
work out arrangements for reduced military activity in the
Aegean during the Olympics. Despite receiving a cold
shoulder from their Greek counterparts, Turkey was moving
forward with plans to reduce military flights and exercises
in the Aegean region during the Olympics and the Special
Olympics that follow. TGS would not announce these measures
publicly but would inform MFA and the government of them.
The government could then decide whether and how to make
these steps public.
EDELMAN