PSI: TURKEY COMMITTED TO EARNING CORE GROUP

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 003117 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2029 TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC TU SUBJECT: PSI: TURKEY COMMITTED TO EARNING CORE GROUP MEMBERSHIP REF: A. MOSCOW 7566 ¶B. ANKARA 2719 (U) Classified by DCM Robert S. Deutsch. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is an action request -- see para 7. ¶2. (C) Summary: The GOT is committed to earning membership in the PSI and asks what it would take. They also ask how Russia made the cut given Ankara's belief that Moscow has not participated in PSI activities. MFA DG Morali expressed some disappointment with the Warsaw PSI anniversary meeting. We urge Washington to take advantage of Turkey's new-found commitment to contributing to PSI. End Summary. -------------- A New-Found Commitment to Participate -------------- ¶3. (C) MFA Deputy Director General for Disarmament/Arms Control Haluk Ilicak called in PolMilCouns June 3 to discuss PSI. Ilicak said that he had attended an interagency meeting on June 1 convened by Turkish General Staff (TGS) J5 LTG Babaoglu and TGS J2 LTG Goksu on PSI. At that meeting, the TGS briefer showed a slide indicating Turkey was a "core member" of PSI. Ilicak said he noted the error, which lead to a discussion and the decision for the meeting with the Polmilcouns. He said Turkey wanted to become a member of the core group and wanted to know what the criteria was to be included. In response to a question, he confirmed that the determination to qualify for core group membership was not restricted to the military but was an official GOT position. This was later confirmed by MFA International Security Affairs Director General Morali in a June 4 discussion with the DCM. Ilicak confided that TGS's enthusiasm would be key to ensuring a robust Turkish participation, and a concrete answer to the question of what it would take for Turkey to gain core group membership (and, conversely, why Turkey cannot be a core group member now) was important to maintaining that enthusiasm. Ilicak accepted PolMilCouns explanation that, to date, Turkey had not actively participated in most PSI activities but merely observed, so core group membership was not yet appropriate. He nonetheless reiterated his request for core group membership criteria. ¶4. (C) Ilicak said that his office was working to complete a matrix of PSI-relevant domestic legislation and pertinent international treaties and agreements to which Turkey is a party. He expected this would be concluded this summer. Then, the GOT would address what new legislation or amendments might be necessary to be able to better contribute to PSI activities. -------------- The Core Group and Russia -------------- ¶5. (C) The Turkish Embassy in Moscow had reported a GOR announcement on May 31 that it was now a member of the PSI core group. An Australian announcement welcoming Moscow's membership was read in Ankara as confirmation of the Moscow announcement, Ilicak said. Referring to his request for criteria for core group membership, he commented that to the best of Ankara's knowledge, Russia had not participated in any PSI activities to date. Ilicak asked what criteria had been applied for Russia's entry to the core group. -------------- Unhappy Warsaw Experience -------------- ¶6. (C) Morali told the DCM that he had been disappointed by his experience at the Warsaw PSI anniversary meeting. First, the invitation from the Poles was only for foreign ministry officials. Morali thought Turkish Customs officials, among others, would had benefited from participation. He also was irritated that some officials in Washington evidently thought Turkey was missing from the session. He had gone out of his way to ensure Turkey had senior representation at the meeting--himself. The DCM assured him that we appreciated his attendance. (Ilicak had earlier explained that Morali had had to attend the meeting alone as Turkish President Sezer was visiting Poland at the same time and the Turkish Embassy was entirely occupied with that visit.) -------------- -------------- Comment and Action Request: Maintaining Turkish Enthusiasm -------------- -------------- ¶7. (C) Since Turkey was invited to participate in PSI its participation has been disappointing -- Embassy notetakers attended expert group meetings and military observers watched some exercises. NP PDAS Burk's May visit (ref b) cleared up many of the misunderstandings the Turks had about what constitutes PSI participation. They now understand that it is not necessary to dispatch a squadron of naval vessels to patrol the high seas; participation can be effective with only a modest expenditure of resources. Nonetheless, the GOT (particularly the TGS) see PSI as an activity where Turkey can and should make a significant contribution, but it is still a bit confused over what and how to do that. The answer to the question on core group membership criteria will help Ankara develop a road map to robust PSI participation. We request Washington provide us with an answer with as much specificity as possible. We also request guidance to answer the question about Russia's accession to the core group. EDELMAN