AMBASSADORS EDELMAN AND WESTMACOTT'S MAY 18

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002839

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2014
TAGS: CY PREL TU
SUBJECT: AMBASSADORS EDELMAN AND WESTMACOTT'S MAY 18
MEETING WITH TURKISH MFA U/S ZIYAL

(U) Classified by Ambassador Eric Edelman, E.O. 12958,
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).



1. (C) During a May 19 meeting with Ambassador Edelman and
UK Ambassador Westmacott, Turkish MFA U/S Ziyal and Deputy
U/S Ilkin urged USUN and the UK UN delegation to stay in
close touch with the Turkish delegation as the UNSC
considered action after the SYG's report. The Turks expect a
generally favorable report. They are relying on U.S. and UK
help for a favorable UNSCR and are working UNSC member
states. However, they appear to be realistic about the
difficulty of getting what they want in a UNSCR. Ziyal and
Ilkin stressed Turkey's commitment to a settlement, but said
Turkey will proceed step-by-step, focusing first on the UN,
then on getting a date to begin EU accession negotiations,
while continuing to press for measures to ease the TCs'
isolation. Ambassador Edelman told the Turks the U.S. is
preparing steps to reach out to the TCs. End Summary.





2. (C) Ziyal urged the U.S. to stay in close touch with the
GOT in New York during the issuance of the SYG's report and
resultant UNSCR. The GOT is "treading water" until the
report comes out, staying in the background and encouraging
Talat and Denktash to be visible. Ziyal anticipates a
generally favorable report, similar to the report after the
Hague. The report will mention past Turkish/TC intransigence
but praise current leadership. Ziyal predicted it will
support an end to TC isolation but not recognition of the
"TRNC." Ilkin said the Turks needed a favorable report "to
defend ourselves" with the EU.



3. (C) Ziyal said Turkey is relying on U.S. and UK help for
a favorable UNSCR. The Turks are working UNSC ambassadors
and capitals. FM Gul will travel to Russia to meet with FM
Lavrov; Cyprus will be the main topic. The Turks are also
contemplating a followup call from Erdogan to Putin;
Ambassador Edelman observed that an approach to Putin is
likely to be most effective. Ziyal will approach France and
Spain. Ilkin is traveling to Beijing, and will be in contact
with the Chileans and other UNSC members.



4. (C) However, Ilkin is realistic about the UNSC and doubts
the UNSCR will give the GOT all it wants. Depending on how
weak the UNSCR is, he said the GOT may prefer a Presidential
Statement. In any event, Ilkin reiterated Ziyal's request
that USUN and the UK UN delegation stay in close touch with
the Turkish delegation during the process. Ilkin claimed
Turkey was "kept in the dark" during the process leading up
to the April 29 press statement.



5. (C) Ziyal and Ilkin both stressed that the GOT has not
given up its goal of a comprehensive settlement and a united
island. Ilkin explained that Turkey is adopting a
step-by-step approach, focusing now on the UN, then on
getting a date to begin EU accession talks. He said Ankara
has not yet decided how to proceed after December; Ziyal
predicted Turkey will "plod ahead" toward a settlement. Good
results in the UN and EU, and measures to help the TCs, will
help preserve Ankara's consensus for settlement.



6. (C) Ambassador Edelman told Ziyal that the U.S. is still
preparing symbolic and substantive steps to reach out to the
TCs. The Secretary's meeting with Talat is the first step;
others are working their way through our interagency process.
The U.S. still considers the Annan Plan the best opportunity
for a settlement and opposes re-opening negotiations. Our
steps toward the TCs will help them prepare to live in a
united Cyprus. Ambassador Edelman urged the Turks to push
Talat to remove the passport requirement for GCs. He also
informed Ziyal that Papadopoulos will travel to the U.S. in
early June.



7. (C) Ziyal and Ilkin confirmed press reports that Ziyal
will be Ambassador to Rome (he said he will probably leave
after the NATO Summit),Ilkin will go to the UN, and Deputy
U/S Ali Tuygan will replace Ziyal.
EDELMAN