GOT WELCOMES UKRAINIAN DECISION ON ODESA-BRODY FLOW

UNCLAS ANKARA 000813 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EB/CBED, EUR/SE, AND EUR/NCE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EPET PREL SENV ENRG TU UP SUBJECT: GOT WELCOMES UKRAINIAN DECISION ON ODESA-BRODY FLOW REF: A. (A) STATE 28615 ¶B. (B) KIEV 0516 ¶C. (C) ANKARA 6345 (SBU) Embassy delivered Ref A points to MFA Energy Department Deputy Director General Hakki Akil February 11. Akil said his government welcomed the Ukrainian decision, but he cautioned that they would not be ready to celebrate until oil actually flowed through the pipeline "in the right direction." Akil said he had heard that Chevron-Texaco was "very interested" in negotiating a deal with Kiev to transport crude through Odesa-Brody, and expressed hope the USG would encourage such a deal. Embassy responded that the USG has encouraged the GOU to negotiate with commercial players, and would stay engaged. Akil responded that his government would do the same. EDELMAN