INVITATION TO PM ERDOGAN TO G-8 SUMMIT AT SEA

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002834 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2014 TAGS: PREL KISL TU SUBJECT: INVITATION TO PM ERDOGAN TO G-8 SUMMIT AT SEA ISLAND REF: STATE 110188 (U) Classified by Ambassador Eric S. Edelman. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Per reftel, May 20 Ambassador delivered invitation to Prime Minister Erdogan to attend Sea Island G-8 Summit for GME lunch on June 9. Ambassador stressed our appreciation for the constructive Turkish contribution to work on the Democracy Assistance Group and willingness to be a co-sponsor. He told Erdogan Turkey would be participating in the initiative as a co-sponsor in the same status as all the EU non-G-8 members. Erdogan asked about the other non-G-8 participants in the lunch, and noted that they all were "target" countries. Erdogan was departing for Romania immediately after the discussion, but he promised a response to the invitation upon his return to Turkey on May 21. ¶2. (C) Comment: The Turks are clearly still concerned about the optics of their participation in GME events. They are sensitive to anything that seems to make them look like a "target." It would be helpful to assure them that the distinction will be clear, particularly to the press, in the arrangements for the event itself. End Comment. EDELMAN