59TH UNGA: TURKEY LOOKING FOR WEOG CONSENSUS ON

UNCLAS ANKARA 005936 SIPDIS STATE PLEASE PASS TO EUR/RPM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC AORC KNNP TU SUBJECT: 59TH UNGA: TURKEY LOOKING FOR WEOG CONSENSUS ON "NEW AGENDA" RESOLUTION REF: STATE 220896 Deputy PolMilCouns shared reftel points with MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs Department Chief Bulent Meric on October 19 and urged Turkey to oppose the UNGA draft "New Agenda" resolution when it comes to a vote. Meric said that, while Turkey had abstained from voting on the 2003 resolution because it was not balanced, this year's resolution had been significantly improved. The GOT welcomed the shorter length and supports both the underlying principle of the resolution - a total ban on nuclear weapons - and the substance. Bulent noted that the GOT attaches importance to early universality of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and to resumption of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty. However, the GOT supports solidarity within the Western and Other Group (WEOG). For that reason, while Turkey could support the resolution, the GOT is watching the WEOG deliberations and is prepared to support a consensus position. EDELMAN