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