SYRIA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT IMPLEMENTATION DEMARCHE:

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002897 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/24/2014 TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL SY TU SUBJECT: SYRIA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT IMPLEMENTATION DEMARCHE: TURKEY REF: A. STATE 111199 ¶B. DAMASCUS 2606 (U) Classified by Political Counselor John Kunstadter, E.O. 12958, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) We delivered ref A points, orally supplemented with unclassified points from ref B, on May 24 to Turkish MFA SIPDIS Middle East Department Head Tuzun. Tuzun noted this is a unilateral USG action which does not involve third countries. The GOT believes this is not a constructive way to resolve U.S.-Syrian differences and may harm Syrian willingness to cooperate against terrorism and on Iraq. Tuzun predicted the act will have minimal economic impact and said dialogue and patience would be a better ways to gain Syrian cooperation. ¶2. (C) We told Tuzun that the USG had and still has continual dialogue with the SARG over an extended period but has seen insufficient results. We noted that Turkey's attempts to use dialogue to persuade Syria to expel terrorist PKK leader Ocalan had been unsuccessful; the SARG had only responded to the threat of military action. ¶3. (C) Tuzun asserted the USG "can be sure" GOT has and will continue to press the SARG on terrorism and WMD in all meetings and all channels. Tuzun claimed these points are an integral part of GOT talks with SARG officials. EDELMAN