Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ANKARA3164
2005-06-06 14:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

CODEL KOLBE VISITS ANKARA, JUNE 2

Tags:  PGOV PREL TU CY PHUM IR 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 003164 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU CY PHUM IR
SUBJECT: CODEL KOLBE VISITS ANKARA, JUNE 2

(U) Classified by Charge d'Affaires James Moore; reasons: 1.4
(b,d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 003164

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU CY PHUM IR
SUBJECT: CODEL KOLBE VISITS ANKARA, JUNE 2

(U) Classified by Charge d'Affaires James Moore; reasons: 1.4
(b,d).


1. (C) Summary: In a June 2 visit to Ankara, CODEL Kolbe met
with FM Gul and Parliament Speaker Arinc. Representative
Kolbe reminded both Gul and Arinc of the importance of
political leaders speaking out in support of our bilateral
relationship. Gul emphasized the "common values" he asserted
the U.S. and Turkey share; reiterating these values will be
the main agenda item during his and PM Erdogan's visit to
Washington. Gul was puzzled about why Turkey's direction
would be questioned. Arinc is confident Turkey will begin EU
negotiations October 3 despite the French and Dutch
referenda. End Summary.

FM and Deputy PM Gul
--------------


2. (C) FM Gul welcomed CODEL Kolbe and reviewed areas of
bilateral cooperation. In Iraq, Gul said both countries
share the goal of democracy. Gul called U.S.-Turkey
relations a "strategic partnership" with the "shared values"
of democracy and free markets. Reiterating this "common
vision" will be the main agenda item of his and PM Erdogan's
upcoming visit to Washington, Gul said. He noted Turkish and
U.S. cooperation in NATO, Afghanistan, the Balkans, the IMF,
and the Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative
(BMENAI). In the BMENAI context, Gul called Turkey an
"example for Muslim and Central Asian countries."


3. (C) Gul promised that Turkey will continue to work
closely with the U.S. He expressed puzzlement about why
Turkey's direction is being questioned, averring Turkey's
direction is clear and its "strong link" with the U.S. will
continue.


4. (C) In response to a question about Cyprus from
Representative Price, Gul expressed appreciation for U.S.
involvement in the Cyprus issue. Turkey does not want the
issue to remain "frozen" and PM Erdogan will meet with UNSYG
Annan in New York June 9. Gul noted his May 27 offer to lift
all restrictions on the movement of people and goods in
Cyprus and between Cyprus and Turkey. He hoped progress on
economic measures could pave the way for political progress.


5. (C) Representative Kolbe agreed that ending Turkish

Cypriots' isolation is essential. Noting the CODEL's recent
meetings on Cyprus, Kolbe observed that lack of a settlement
is stifling economic development, and both sides therefore
have a stake in reaching a settlement.


6. (C) Kolbe expressed appreciation for Gul's remarks about
bilateral relations but reminded Gul that he and other
political leaders need to defend the U.S.-Turkey
relationship. Kolbe noted that members of the U.S. Congress
have stood up for the relationship on the Armenian genocide
and Cyprus issues, even when doing so was unpopular with some
of their constituents.


7. (C) Representative Ackerman thanked Gul for Turkey's
"protective relationship" with the Jewish community and its
strong relations with Israel. Gul said Turkey is helping in
the Israel/Palestine peace process.

Parliament Speaker Arinc
--------------


8. (C) Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Speaker Bulent
Arinc thanked the delegation for their visit, describing his
recent trip to the U.S. during which he met with U.S. House
of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert, and emphasizing
the importance of forty years of U.S.-Turkish relations.
Arinc emphasized four key factors to improving U.S.-Turkish:
1) more U.S. investment in Turkey, 2) more American tourists
visiting Turkey, 3) more Turkish students studying in the
U.S, and 4) developing strong inter-parliamentary relations
and friendships. Representative Kolbe told Arinc that
Turkey's leaders should make a point of defending strong
U.S.-Turkish relations.

9. (C) Arinc stated that the recent referenda against the EU
Constitution in France and the Netherlands were due to a
number of factors, including expansion fatigue and hostility
towards Turkey's EU membership. He believes that some
European political parties hype anti-Turkish sentiments for
domestic political advantage. He remains confident that
Turkey will begin negotiations with the EU on October 3 and
he commended the strong support the U.S. has given Turkey on
the EU issue.

10. (C) Arinc asserted that the GOT does not recognize the
ecumenical status of the Istanbul-based Greek Orthodox
Patriarch because this would violate the Lausanne Treaty.
(Comment: The Lausanne Treaty says simply that Turkey must
protect the rights of non-Muslim minorities; it says nothing
on the name or status of the Ecumenical Patriarch. End
Comment.) He also stated that the GOT closed down the Halki
Seminary in 1971 when all private religious schools were
banned. Arinc stated his wish that private religious schools
would be legalized in Turkey. He predicted Halki would be
re-opened by the end of the year. (Comment: We see no
current progress on this issue. End Comment.)

11. (C) In response to a question about the Iranian nuclear
program, Arinc emphasized the importance of following a
diplomatic path. He stated that if the EU-3 and Iran are
unable to resolve the problem, the matter should be referred
to the UN. He vaguely indicated that Turkey would be
supportive. He did not state that Turkey would support
referring the matter to the UNSC or military action in
conjunction with a UNSCR that found Iran in continued
violation of the NPT.

12. (U) The delegation attended the TAIK 20th anniversary
dinner the evening of June 2 in Istanbul, where Chairman
Kolbe set a positive tone in his remarks, highlighting the
importance of the U.S.-Turkish relationship to both
countries.


13. (U) CODEL Kolbe did not have an opportunity to clear this
message.
MOORE