COMMISSION ON NARCOTICS DRUGS: REQUEST FOR US

UNCLAS ANKARA 002126 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR PREL AORC TU SUBJECT: COMMISSION ON NARCOTICS DRUGS: REQUEST FOR US SUPPORT FOR TURKEY'S RE-ELECTION This is an action request. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Turkey has requested US support for its candidacy for re-election to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) at ECOSOC. Post recommends favorable consideration, given Turkey's critical location along a main route for drug flows from Afghanistan. Turkey is also one of only two countries in the world authorized legal opiate production. U.S. support would also help reinforce bilateral counternarcotics cooperation. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) In a March 28 diplomatic note, the Foreign Ministry requested U.S. support for Turkey's candidacy for re-election to ECOSOC's Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) for the 2006-09 term. In addition to sending the note, Ambassador Hayati Guven, MFA Director General for Security Affairs, raised the issue with the DCM. The MFA offices that handle international organizations and narcotics have also made a point of requesting U.S. support. The MFA officials told us they are concerned that, with six candidates from the WEOG group (Australia, Canada, England, Belgium, Spain and Turkey) but only five spots, Turkey is in danger of losing its place on the commission. ¶3. (SBU) The GOT argues that it is a strong candidate for several reasons: --location along the principal route for egress of drugs from Afghanistan; --status as one of two countries authorized to produce opiates legally; --commitment to counter-narcotics demonstrated by its new status as a "Major Donor" at UNODC, having given $500,000 in each of the last two years; --decision to join the Paris Pact and host a conference later this year; --substantial resources devoted to TADOC, the regional training center located in Ankara at which over 1,000 foreign students have received training. ¶4. (SBU) Post suggests that Washington favorably consider Turkey's request. With the recent surge of drugs from Afghanistan, it would send a bad message if Turkey were not to be re-elected to the CND, and particularly so if it is replaced by a country with a less central role in global narcotics issues. US support for Turkey would also reinforce our excellent cooperation in counternarcotics. The timing would be particularly good given the GOT's recent frustration of its candidacy for the Directorship of the Southeast European Cooperation Initiative (SECI). EDELMAN