TURKISH MFA ON UZBEKISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 003500 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2015 TAGS: PREL PHUM UZ TU SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA ON UZBEKISTAN REF: A. TASHKENT 1713 ¶B. STATE 110631 (U) Classified by Political Counselor John Kunstadter, E.O. 12958, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: The Turkish MFA issued one bland statement about Andijon and called in the Uzbek Ambassador shortly after the killings. Although DDG Karslioglu asserts that the Turkish statement was a strong message on human rights, MFA Uzbekistan Department Head doubts that Uzbek diplomats here accurately relay Turkey's views. We urged the MFA to issue its own statement calling for an independent investigation into the Andijon killings. End Summary. MFA Statement -------------- ¶2. (C) According to Uzbekistan Department Head Cevik, whom we spoke to June 17, the Turkish MFA only issued one statement about Uzbekistan, on May 15. The statement expressed "great sorrow" about "Uzbek citizens' and security officials' losing their lives" in Andijon; disapproved of "use of weapons by armed groups against security officials"; called on the GOU to treat protesters and civilians "with moderation"; and urged the GOU to take steps toward democratization, compliance with international norms and human rights. ¶3. (C) In May, Caucasus and Central Asia DDG Karslioglu, Cevik's boss, tried to portray this statement to us as a strong, first-ever official Turkish expression of the importance of human rights in Uzbekistan. In addition to the statement, Karslioglu told us the MFA had called in the Uzbek Ambassador once, shortly after the Andijon incident. Cevik said the MFA informally pressed Uzbek diplomats in Ankara on the need for democratization and the Uzbeks agreed privately, but she speculated they were too intimidated to accurately transmit Turkey's views to Karimov. Uzbekistan Department Head on International Investigation -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Cevik told us that the GOT is having difficulty getting the full picture of the Andijon events. She said Turkey "in principle" supports the idea of international organizations looking into the matter in a fair and transparent way; she doubts the GOU investigation will be fair. ¶5. (C) Cevik acknowledged Turkey itself has not yet called for an independent international investigation. We reminded her that FM Gul had discussed Central Asia and specifically Uzbekistan with Secretary Rice (ref B),and said we would like to see a Turkish statement supporting an independent international investigation, in addition to Turkish support expressed in international organizations. Cevik herself expressed support for the idea and said she would convey it to her superiors. Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) The Turkish MFA was caught unprepared by the Andijon killings and, although our GOT interlocutors, including FonMin Gul, have expressed unease at the actions of the Uzbek authorities, Turkey has shown no inclination to help take the lead in calling for an independent international investigation. MCELDOWNEY