QUID PRO QUO: TURKEY ALSO SEEKS SUPPORT FOR

UNCLAS ANKARA 006733 SIPDIS DEPT PASS IO/T FOR LTOBEY LONDON PASS EST FOR TREVOR EVANS COAST GUARD FOR G-CI KJOHNSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT AORC PHSA KTIA IMO TR SUBJECT: QUID PRO QUO: TURKEY ALSO SEEKS SUPPORT FOR IMO CANDIDATE Ref: A) STATE 207080 B) STATE 171872 C) ANKARA 6308 ¶1. This message contains an action request in para 4. ¶2. GOT MFA contacted us on November 14 to request USG support for their Category C candidate in the upcoming IMO elections. Per ref A, Econoff informed the GOT of the US's Category A candidate and requested GOT support. MFA attache in the Maritime and Aviation Affairs Department Murat Ugurluoglu suggested a reciprocal arrangement in which the U.S. supports Turkey's reelection and Turkey does the same for the US. Econoff agreed to send this proposal back to Washington for consideration but added that the embassy could not make commitments on behalf of the US IMO delegation and asked that Ugurluoglu ensure that Turkey's embassy in Washington approach the department with its request. ¶3. Comment: The GOT has traditionally supported U.S. positions in the IMO. Most recently the Department asked post to thank the GOT for its support (ref B),to which MFA Head of the Maritime Department Basat Ozturk pledged to continue (ref C). Understanding Washington's probable reluctance to link the two candidacies (which was more likely some quick thinking on the part of the MFA officer rather than GOT policy),it would be a good thing from our point of view if the U.S. could support Turkey. Post requests Department's guidance. McEldowney