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