Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ANKARA6642
2005-11-10 11:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TURKISH MFA CLARIFIES POSITION ON AZERBAIJAN

Tags:  PREL TU OSCE AZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
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 ANKARA 006642 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2015
TAGS: PREL TU OSCE AZ
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA CLARIFIES POSITION ON AZERBAIJAN
ELECTIONS

Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Charles O. Blaha for reasons
1.4 (b,d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006642

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2015
TAGS: PREL TU OSCE AZ
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA CLARIFIES POSITION ON AZERBAIJAN
ELECTIONS

Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Charles O. Blaha for reasons
1.4 (b,d).


1. (C) Following a weak initial MFA statement and amid press
reports that Turkish observers found no irregularities during
the November 6 Azerbaijan elections, MFA Director General
Halil Akinci clarified the Turkish position during a November
9 meeting with visiting Senior Advisor for Eurasia Steven
Mann. Akinci explained that unofficial Turkish observers,
mostly parliamentarians from the ruling AKP as well as
opposition parties who had been invited to monitor the
elections by the GOAZ, declared the elections faultless. On
the contrary, the 50 short term and 2 long term observers
sent by Turkey to participate in the ODIHR observation
mission found widespread fraud, especially in Nakhichevan,
before and during the elections. Akinci said that, based on
ODIHR's observations, the MFA fears the elections will not
contribute to forging a national consensus within Azerbaijan.


2. (C) Akinci added that the MFA has come under political
pressure from the parliamentary observers and their allies,
who are accusing the Turkish observers accredited to ODIHR,
and by extension the MFA itself, of "serving foreign
interests" by criticizing the conduct of the elections.
Nevertheless, the MFA issued a second statement on November 9
that refers to the findings of the ODIHR observation mission,
notes the irregularities observed, and calls on the GOAZ to
take corrective measures.


3. (C) Comment. The schizophrenic Turkish response to the
elections illustrates the fear on the part of diverse
segments of the Turkish political community that rocking the
Azeri boat will jeopardize regional stability as well as
lucrative commercial relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Turkish nationalists, who view Azerbaijan as part of a
greater pan-Turkic nation, are ideologically resistant to any
criticism of a "brotherly" Turkic country. End Comment.


4. (U) Ambassador Mann was unable to clear this message
before departing.
MCELDOWNEY