Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ANKARA4265
2004-07-30 14:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

CYPRUS: MILITARY EXERCISES MAY BE AN ISSUE THIS

Tags:  MOPS PREL CY TU 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004265 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2029
TAGS: MOPS PREL CY TU
SUBJECT: CYPRUS: MILITARY EXERCISES MAY BE AN ISSUE THIS
FALL

Classified By: Political Military Counselor Timothy A. Betts. Reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004265

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2029
TAGS: MOPS PREL CY TU
SUBJECT: CYPRUS: MILITARY EXERCISES MAY BE AN ISSUE THIS
FALL

Classified By: Political Military Counselor Timothy A. Betts. Reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) TGS/J5 Greece/Cyprus director RADM Mucahit Sislioglu
warned polmilcouns July 28 not to assume Turkey would cancel
this fall's exercises on Cyprus. "The situation is different
this year," he said. Whereas last year Turkey was optimistic
about achieving a settlement on the island and wanted to do
nothing to disturb that process, this year the Greek Cypriots
had rejected the settlement and now were working to impede EU
measures to help the Turkish Cypriots. This could lead to a
"different outcome" on exercises this year. Polmilcouns
noted that the exercises were scheduled on the eve of the
decision on Turkey's EU accession, a factor arguing in favor
of cancellation of the exercises. He also reminded Sislioglu
that the US remained committed to the Annan plan, easing the
isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and the reduction of
military tensions on the island, including the recent
practice of canceling the large-scale exercises both sides
plan for the island each year.


2. (C) Comment: Turkey, including the Turkish military, is
not happy about the GOC's recent attempts to block EU
measures to help the Turkish Cypriots. Developments over the
next few months will determine whether the Turks' pique will
result in counterproductive steps, like resuming their annual
fall exercise on the island. Presumably, if the Turks
conduct their exercise, the Greeks will feel compelled to
conduct theirs. This year, as in the past, we will need to
press for restraint. End Comment.
DEUTSCH