CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): TURKEY REQUESTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006339 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE AND ISN/CB E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2015 TAGS: PARM MARR KTIA TU GR CWC SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): TURKEY REQUESTS DELAY IN CONSULTATIONS REF: STATE 190144 Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission James R. Moore, reasons 1 .4 (b) and (d). ¶1. Acting PolMilCouns delivered to Turkish MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Office Director Osman Yavuzalp on Oct. 20 reftel talking points and request for a meeting with Turkish experts on the margins of the CWC 10th Conference of the States Parties to discuss the draft agreement on challenge inspections. Yavuzalp reported that all relevant MFA offices have reviewed the draft and come to a consensus on the way forward but that Turkish General Staff (TGS) input is also required before the GOT can provide us with a response. According to Yavuzalp, the relevant TGS general staff are out of the country until Oct. 27 and the MFA has requested TGS input by Nov. 7. ¶2. Yavuzalp declined the invitation to meet on the margins of the Nov. 7-11 conference on behalf of MFA Deputy Director General Bulent Meric, who will represent Turkey. In Yavuzalp's words, Meric considers it premature to meet before TGS has weighed in and would prefer to delay bilateral consultations on the agreement until after the MFA has had time to review the TGS input and determine if there are any inconsistencies between their positions (Note: He did not anticipate any significant difference in view. End Note). MCELDOWNEY