POSSIBLE TURKISH FLEXIBILITY ON UNFICYP MOVEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 005820

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2014
TAGS: CY PREL TU
SUBJECT: POSSIBLE TURKISH FLEXIBILITY ON UNFICYP MOVEMENT
RESTRICTIONS

REF: A. ANKARA 5234


B. 5 OCTOBER 2004 PALMER/BLAHA E-MAIL

(U) Classified by DCM Robert Deutsch, E.O. 12958, reasons 1.4
(b) and (d),


1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 6.


2. (C) In ref A, on September 13 Turkish MFA Cyprus
Department Head Bilman claimed no knowledge of any
restrictions in UNFICYP movement imposed by Turks or Turkish
Cypriots. On October 13, we supplied Bilman with points
about the restrictions based on ref B.


3. (C) Bilman told us he visited the island last week and he
conceded the restrictions as set forth in ref B. Bilman
claimed he had "tested the waters" and thinks that "certain
steps" could be taken to ease then restrictions. However, he
said there is concern on the island over whether such
concessions by the Turkish/TC side would be adequately
reflected in the UNSCR on UNFICYP renewal.


4. (C) If restrictions were eased, the Turks would want that
noted in the UNSCR. If the restrictions were eliminated, the
Turks/TCs would want to see language urging recision of the
restrictions removed from the UNSCR. Bilman, who worked at
the Turkish Mission to the UN for four years, said that,
based on his experience, the only way to guarantee such
changes to the UNFICYP UNSCR would be for the SYG to write a
letter to the UNSC noting the changes, or to write an
addendum to the September 28 UNFICYP report. Otherwise, he
claimed, some UNSC members (i.e., Russia) will claim an
insufficient factual basis for inclusion of such language.


5. (C) Bilman stressed that these are only his ideas from
having visited the island, and that he had not yet discussed
them with the military or senior levels of the MFA. While
not completely certain the Turkish/TC side is prepared to
ease the restrictions, he believes there is a "good chance"
if the above concerns are met.


6. (C) Action request: We request that the Department ask
USUN to make appropriate inquiries and inform us of the
possibility of changes to the draft text in the event the
Turks/TCs ease or remove restrictions on UNFICYP movements.
EDELMAN