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