TIP IN TURKEY: TGNA PASSES, PRESIDENT APPROVES IOM

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006690

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, G. INL, INL/CTR, DRL, EUR/PGI, EUR/SE
DEPARTMENT FOR VALERIE KWOK USAID E&E/ECA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2014
TAGS: KCRM PHUM PGOV SMIG PREF KWMN TU TIP IN TURKEY
SUBJECT: TIP IN TURKEY: TGNA PASSES, PRESIDENT APPROVES IOM
DUES BILL, MAD RUSH TO MEET DEADLINE PAYS OFF

REF: A. ANK 6687


B. ANK 6688

(U) Classified by Polcounselor John Kunstadter; reasons: E.O.
12958 1.4 (b,d).


1. (U) Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Foreign Affairs
Committee Advisor Osman Ulukan confirmed press reports that
the TGNA, on November 25, 2004, unanimously approved
legislation appropriating the 154,000 Swiss Franc equivalent
fee for Turkey's membership in the International Office on
Migration (IOM). The bill was immediately forwarded to
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer for his final approval.
Minutes before the annual application deadline and the start
of the 88th Session of the IOM governing body in Geneva, IOM
received the completed application, including the required
funding authorization from Sezer's office.


2. (U) According to press accounts issued by IOM spokesman
Jean Philippe Chauzy and confirmed by IOM Ankara Chief of
Mission Marielle Lindstrom, Turkey was admitted by unanimous
vote November 30, 2004.


3. (C) Turkey's last-minute scramble for new member nation
status marks a major turnaround in the GOT's checkered,
30-year relationship with IOM. In the early 1970s, Turkey's
first application was reportedly blocked by IOM member-nation
Greece, a move that fueled past-TGNA Foreign Affairs
Committee Chairman Kamran Inan's effective opposition to
Turkish membership in the IOM until he left the TGNA in 2002.

EDELMAN