WASSENAAR MEMBERSHIP EXPANSION

UNCLAS ANKARA 006942 SIPDIS STATE FOR T, PM/DTC, NP/ECNP, PM/RSAT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KSTC PARM PREL PTER TU SUBJECT: WASSENAAR MEMBERSHIP EXPANSION REF: UNVIE 1007 (NOTAL) SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY ¶1. (SBU) EXBS advisor met with the new DDG for Arms Control and Disarmament Bulent Meric (formerly the Disarmament Department Head) and staff on December 13. Regarding the Wassenaar Arrangement Plenary, Meric stated that Turkey agrees with the U.S. that each country applying for membership should be judged on it own merits -- what it can contribute -- and not just because the applicant was a member in some other non-related organization (such as the EU). Meric requested information concerning the countries that are applying for Wassenaar membership, which would allow the GOT to better understand the U.S. position on each of the applicants. This information would be very useful prior to the upcoming silence procedure expected to begin next February. ¶2. (SBU) Meric also stated that Turkey will most likely not change its stance on the Cyprus application, unless new information is provided concerning the benefit to the WA of the inclusion of Cyprus. (Comment: In the run up to the December 17 EU Summit, Turkey has come under increased pressure from European capitals to drop opposition to Cypriot membership in organizations like Wassenaar. How the EU handles the Cyprus issue at the EU Summit may influence the GOT's willingness to consider whether the GOC is able to contribute meaningfully to the Wassenaar Arrangement work.) EDELMAN