TURKISH MFA NOT BUDGING ON STROVILIA, ASTROMERITIS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 005234 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2014 TAGS: PREL CY TU SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA NOT BUDGING ON STROVILIA, ASTROMERITIS REF: A. NICOSIA 1807 ¶B. 8 SEPT 2004 PALMER/BLAHA E-MAIL (U) Classified by Political Counselor John Kunstadter, E.O> 12958, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Pursuant to refs a and b, we met with Turkish MFA Cyprus Department Head Bilman September 13 and urged the GOT to resolve outstanding UNFICYP and other UN-related issues prior to finalization of the SYG report on the UNFICYP mandate. In particular, we suggested: lifting restrictions on UNFICYP movement in and around Strovilia; returning Strovilia to the pre-2000 status quo; working with the UN to identify and clear the minefield near the Astromeritis crossing; increasing cooperation with the UN on the Committee of the Missing. ¶2. (C) Bilman rebuffed our approach. He maintained that Strovilia and the related checkpoint are within the "TRNC." He asserted that there are no restrictions on UNFICYP movements in and around Strovilia. Reading from the minutes of a meeting between UN DPKO Acting Deputy Director Weber and "Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces" General Memisoglu, Bilman claimed Weber had not been able to identify any such restrictions when asked by Memisoglu. UNFICYP is free to use any checkpoint along the Green Line, Bilman added. ¶3. (C) Bilman claimed that neither the TGS nor the TCs planted the minefield near Astromeritis and that Turkey is cooperating fully with the Committee of the Missing, which he averred has already met three times in September. ¶4. (C) Comment: Bilman's response partially reflects the GOT's diminished room for concessions in the face of the perceived lack of measures to support the TCs following the April referendum. End Comment. EDELMAN