Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ANKARA2478
2005-05-02 07:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

SUSTAINING PRESSURE ON SYRIA ON UNSCR 1559:

Tags:  PREL PTER SY LE TU 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002478 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER SY LE TU
SUBJECT: SUSTAINING PRESSURE ON SYRIA ON UNSCR 1559:
TURKEY DEMARCHE

REF: STATE 78006

(U) Classified by Political Counselor John Kunstadter, E.O.
12958, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002478

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER SY LE TU
SUBJECT: SUSTAINING PRESSURE ON SYRIA ON UNSCR 1559:
TURKEY DEMARCHE

REF: STATE 78006

(U) Classified by Political Counselor John Kunstadter, E.O.
12958, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: We made reftel points to Turkish MFA Middle
East Department Head Bozay April 29. GOT is awaiting a full
UN report before coming to any conclusions about Syrian
withdrawal from Lebanon. The MFA issued a flaccid April 27
statement welcoming Syria's withdrawal announcement. The
statement made no mention of Hizbullah, nor of the need for
militias to disarm. The MFA claims it considers Syrian
non-interference in Lebanese elections important. The
Turkey/Syria FTA is on hold; the GOT is using progress of the
Syria/EU Association Agreement as a guide. End Summary.


Turkey Awaiting UN Report
--------------


2. (C) Turkey's MFA issued a flaccid statement on April 27
welcoming Syria's announcement that it had withdrawn from
Lebanon in compliance with UNSCR 1559. The statement said
Turkey hopes Lebanese elections "will be held in an
environment enabling the Lebanese people to freely exercise
their political will."


3. (C) MFA Middle East Dept. Head Bozay said the MFA is
awaiting a full UN report before coming to any conclusions
about whether Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon is complete.
He said this is reflected in the MFA's 27 April statement's
wording that Turkey "hopes" the UN will confirm Syrian
withdrawal claims.


4. (C) Bozay claims Turkey has the "same understanding" as
the U.S. on the importance of Syrian non-interference in
upcoming Lebanese elections. He claimed to have met with
"other institutions" (meaning core institutions of the State)
and said they also share this understanding.

No Mention of Hizbullah
--------------


5. (C) We noted that the April 27 announcement did not
mention Hizbullah, nor even the need for militias to disarm.
Bozay tried to explain this away as Turkey not wanting to get
into Lebanon's "internal affairs" and not wanting to give
Hizbullah "publicity." Asked about Syrian and Iranian
support for Hizbullah, he countered that although Turkey is
"not happy" with Hizbullah, "you (the U.S.) are the ones" who
should pressure Hizbullah. Bozay said that although Turkey
always urges Syria to oppose terrorism, they never explicitly
mention Hizbullah because "the Syrians will deny it."

Turkey/Syria FTA on Hold
--------------


6. (C) We again urged that Turkey not ratify the free trade
agreement with Syria Erdogan agreed to during his December
2004 visit to Damascus. Bozay said the agreement is on hold,
and that Turkey is watching what the EU does on its proposed
association agreement with Syria as a guide on proceeding
with the FTA. The agreement was to have been ratified
immediately upon Erdogan's return, he said, but was not due
to pressure from the U.S. and EU.


7. (C) Asked about media reports regarding efforts to expand
Turkey's Cilvegozu border gate with Syria, Bozay predicted
that "technical and economic problems" would prevent it from
proceeding.
EDELMAN