TURKEY PREPARING PORTS/AIRPORTS PROPOSAL FOR UN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 007096

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2015
TAGS: CY PREL TU UN
SUBJECT: TURKEY PREPARING PORTS/AIRPORTS PROPOSAL FOR UN


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


1. (U) This is an action request - see paragraph 8.


2. (C) Summary: The Turkish MFA is preparing to give the UN
a modestly more detailed version of FM Gul,s May proposal to
open Turkish and northern Cypriot ports and airports. The
Turks want the UN to broker agreement and implementation and,
if successful, follow this with talks on comprehensive
settlement. The MFA called in CDA December 1 to explain the
proposal, and solicit USG ideas and support. This is the
first glimmer that some in the MFA understand that Turkey can
no longer rest on its 2004 initiative and needs to return to
the "one step ahead" policy. We suggest working with the UK
to help the Turks make this into something the UN can
consider. End Summary.

Draft Plan
--------------


3. (C) MFA Deputy U/S Apakan called in Charge December 1 to
explain a draft plan representing what appears to be a
modestly more detailed version of FM Gul,s May proposal to
open all Turkish and Cypriot ports and airports. The plan is
still in draft, the MFA did not give us a copy, and Apakan
asked us to keep the proposal strictly confidential.
Turkey,s UN PermRep does not yet have it, Apakan explained.
On December 2, Northeastern Mediterranean Affairs DDG Bilman
told us that UK Ambassador Westmacott also knows about it.


4. (C) Apakan explained the proposal as follows:

-- Turkey opens its ports to ROC vessels.

-- Turkey opens airports to ROC aircraft and allows ROC
overflights of Turkey.

-- The ROC allows ports in northern Cyprus to open under
Turkish Cypriot administration, in conjunction with the UN,
EU and IMO.

-- The ROC allows Ercan Airport to open under Turkish Cypriot
administration, in conjunction with the UN, ICAO and
Eurocontrol.

-- North Cyprus is included in the EU Customs Union.

-- Turkish Cypriots are allowed to participate in
international sports, cultural and other events.

-- All steps are taken without prejudice to any of the
parties, legal positions. (Comment: Meaning they neither
constitute Turkish recognition of the ROC nor others'
recognition of the "TRNC." End Comment.)

-- By March 2006, the UNSYG calls a meeting to finalize an
action plan to implement the proposal.

-- If the plan is implemented, by the end of 2006, Turkish
and Greek Cypriots meet under UN auspices to seek a way
forward on comprehensive settlement.


5. (C) Apakan said Turkey hopes opening all ports and
airports would be a "transitional phase" to comprehensive
settlement. The Turkish UN PermRep will present the proposal
to the UN Secretariat in a week to ten days. Apakan requested
the USG's "advice and public support" for the initiative.


6. (C) CDA welcomed the MFA decision to take an initiative,
but urged Apakan to think more about how to make the proposal
attractive to the Greek Cypriot side, which is certain to
argue the proposal only represents steps Turkey would have to
take in any event for EU accession. CDA also urged Apakan to
think carefully about how the plan could be sequenced.


7. (C) On December 2, MFA Northeastern Mediterranean DDG
Bilman told Deputy Political Counselor that the Turkish side
has little room to add more elements to the plan. He said
the proposal had been drafted with input from several Turkish
overseas ambassadors and with domestic input (NFI).
According to Bilman, "some domestic circles" see the plan as
"far-fetched."


8. (C) Comment and Action Request: This is the first
glimmer we have seen, albeit modest, that some in the MFA
think Turkey can no longer rest on what it did in 2004 and
are ready to resume a "one step ahead" policy. We, with the
UK, should encourage this approach. We request guidance
from the Department about how we can respond to the MFA
request for support, and suggestions about additional details
needed to make this more workable and realistic. End Comment
and Action Request.
MCELDOWNEY