DEMARCHE OPPOSING CUBA'S UN RESOLUTION AGAINST THE

UNCLAS ANKARA 005823

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD CU TU UNGA
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE OPPOSING CUBA'S UN RESOLUTION AGAINST THE
EMBARGO

REF: STATE 215870


1. (U) We presented reftel demarche October 8 to Turkish
MFA's Latin America Head of Department Cen Onder. As
instructed in the cable, we asked that Turkey consider
abstaining if it could not support the U.S. request.


2. (U) Onder indicated that Turkey would check with the
European Union countries as well as "other international
obligations" before determining how to vote this year. He
dodged further by drawing on an old saw to assert Turkish
foreign policy was based on Ataturk's philosophy of "Peace at
home, peace abroad." Speculating that Turkey would use
previous wording related to Cuba, Onder provided a copy of
Turkey's June 12, 2003 statement, which states:

"1. The Republic of Turkey does not have any laws or
measures of the kind referred to in the preamble to
Resolution 57/11 (Resolution regarding Cuba in 2003) and
reaffirms its adherence to the principle of freedom of trade
and navigation in conformity with the Charter of the United
Nations and international law.


2. The Government of Turkey is of the view that
differences and problems between States should be settled
through dialogue and negotiations."
EDELMAN