MAGEN DAVID ADOM (MDA) DEMARCHE: TURKEY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 003998

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREF PREL TU ICRC
SUBJECT: MAGEN DAVID ADOM (MDA) DEMARCHE: TURKEY

REF: A. STATE 118394


B. 8 JULY 2005 DANIES/BLAHA E-MAIL

(U) Classified by CDA Nancy McEldowney, E.O. 12958, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) We delivered ref A demarche June 24 to Turkish MFA
Middle East Department Head Botsali, who handles OIC matters
and was leaving to attend the OIC meeting in Sanaa. He
called the subject a technical matter and doubted it would be
on the meeting agenda.


2. (C) Botsali called us back July 5 when he returned from
Sanaa. He claimed the Turkish delegation was surprised by a
Palestinian resolution opposing convening a conference on the
Additional Third Protocol, written in Arabic, circulated at
the last minute. He claimed Turkey argued against it, but
the OIC adopted a resolution to the effect that the time is
not ripe to permit MDA entry into ICRC.


3. (C) The Israeli Embassy here is skeptical about Turkey's
intentions at the Sanaa meeting. Israeli DCM Nashon is
convinced the Turks failed to push as hard as they could have
in Sanaa so as not to upset Arab countries, while trying to
reassure the Israelis here that they favor MDA entry into the
ICRC.


4. (C) We followed up with Botsali again July 7. He noted
the Sanaa meeting draft final communique included no item
related to MDA or the Additional Third Protocol. He told us
Turkey itself does not oppose convening a conference on the
Additional Third Protocol.


5. (C) We asked Botsali, MFA International Organizations
Department official Tutku, and the Israeli Embassy here
whether Turkey has written a letter expressing support for
convening the conference. None is unaware of any letter of
support. Per ref B, the only letter of which we are aware is
a letter from Turkey to the Swiss approximately one month ago
stating Turkish adherence to the OIC line, even if Turkey
itself is not objecting to the conference.
MCELDOWNEY