Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ANKARA5180
2004-09-14 12:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH TURKISH MFA DEPUTY U/S

Tags:  CY PREL TU 
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141214Z Sep 04
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005180 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2014
TAGS: CY PREL TU
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH TURKISH MFA DEPUTY U/S
ILKIN, SEPTEMBER 13

REF: ANKARA 5029

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005180

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2014
TAGS: CY PREL TU
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH TURKISH MFA DEPUTY U/S
ILKIN, SEPTEMBER 13

REF: ANKARA 5029

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


1. (C) Summary: Taking stock of Cyprus on September 13,
Turkish MFA Deputy U/S Ilkin expressed disappointment at the
state of the EU's trade and aid proposals and the lack of a
UNSCR endorsing the SYG's report; said UNFICYP's mandate
should focus more on facilitating the flow of people and
goods through border crossings; urged the U.S. to take
measures to support the TCs; and expressed concern about
future Greek Cypriot property compensation cases in the ECHR.
The Ambassador assured Ilkin that the U.S. is pressing ahead
with measures for the TCs; reminded Ilkin that Turkey's
efforts have removed Cyprus as a reason not to grant Turkey a
date to begin accession negotiations; and suggested the Turks
consider affirmative steps to preserve this achievement. End
Summary.

Taking Stock of EU Measures
--------------


2. (C) Ilkin said he wanted to take stock of the Cyprus
situation. While the initial EU response after the
referendum was positive, EU trade and aid proposals have been
watered down at the Commission and COREPER. The GCs,
supported by the Greeks (and the French, Cyprus Department
Head Bilman asserted in a later meeting),are trying to
defeat the regulation for direct trade, which is the most
important part of the package for TCs and Turkey. On aid,
the GCs are seeking to have funding go through them and to
take out compensation and reparations for GCs. Turkey knows
the U.S. has limited influence in this process, Ilkin added,
but we consider it important to keep the U.S. informed.

The UNSC and UNFICYP
--------------


3. (C) Ilkin said it is unfortunate that there is still no
UNSCR endorsing the SYG's May report on the Good Offices
Mission. Some acknowledgment of the report is important to
Turkey. Ilkin still hopes the UNSC will incorporate the
report's wording in some context.


4. (C) Noting the lack of violent incidents on the island,
Ilkin said UNFICYP should change its focus to facilitating
the flow of people and goods through the gates between north
and south, which may not require as large a force as at
present. Turkey does no want any "surprises" regarding
UNFICYP's mandate, he said pointedly, especially no

enhancement of UNFICYP's role. Ilkin urged that relations
between UNFICYP and the TCs be "formalized," so the TCs feel
"they have a say" with UNFICYP.

Frustrated Turks Look to the U.S. on Measures for TCs
-------------- --------------


5. (C) Ilkin said that PM Erdogan and FM Gul feel that
nothing has come out of Turkey's efforts on Cyprus. The
Ambassador noted that FM Gul had expressed the same
disappointment during their September 1 meeting (reftel).
The GOT leadership feels the TCs are on the back burner,
Ilkin continued. Ilkin expressed appreciation for the U.S.'s
"preliminary" efforts to reach out to the TCs, particularly
amid election-year politics. However, EU and Islamic
counties are looking to see what the U.S. is doing for TCs.
"We need to break this circle," he concluded.

ECHR "Not Encouraging"
--------------


6. (C) Ilkin said developments in the ECHR were not
encouraging. The GOT expects the Court to find an admissible
Greek Cypriot property compensation case, leading to
potentially-huge financial obligations for Turkey and the
TCs. Loizidou was supposed to be a one-time case, and Turkey
cannot afford more such cases. Ilkin fears Turkey is moving
toward another deadlock with the ECHR. The Ambassador
pointed out that admissibility is not the end of the process:
Turkey can still argue that "TRNC" compensation mechanisms
constitute an adequate avenue for remedies. Ilkin agreed and
predicted no definitive ECHR decision for another year and a
half, but said the admissibility ruling will lead to other
cases and create a political problem for the GOT.
TCs Taking "Sober" Steps, GCs Working on "Gimmicks"
-------------- --------------


7. (C) Ilkin cited "sober" steps by Talat since the April
referendum: opening the Bostanci crossing, opening the
Karpas gymnasium, allowing phone service to start. He
contrasted them to what he called GC "gimmicks," e.g., the
Varosha and Famagusta proposals.

U.S. Pressing Ahead
--------------


8. (C) The Ambassador agreed that EU measures for TCs have
not had the hoped-for results. Nevertheless, the U.S. is
pressing forward in Washington, Brussels and EU capitals, and
on the island to end TCs' isolation. U.S. funding for
economic development in the north should reach the island by
the end of the year. The U.S. will also increase
scholarships for TC students; is working on getting a
positive results on direct flights amid a thicket of legal
considerations; and is laying the ground work for trade in
agricultural products.


9. (C) The Ambassador reminded Ilkin that, in an important
sense, Turkey's Cyprus effort succeeded: Cyprus has been
removed from the EU's agenda as a reason not to grant Turkey
a date to begin accession negotiations. Turkey now needs to
consider how to preserve that achievement. The Ambassador
suggested that the GOT consider what measures Ankara might be
able to take to change the political atmosphere in the
southern part of the island. He asked whether FM Gul would
be willing to meet with DISY leader Anastassiades; Ilkin
undertook to look into it.
EDELMAN