Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ANKARA98
2005-01-06 16:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TURKEY URGES OIC MEMBERS TO ASSIST TSUNAMI RELIEF,

Tags:  AEMR EAID PGOV TU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

061637Z Jan 05
UNCLAS ANKARA 000098 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR EAID PGOV TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY URGES OIC MEMBERS TO ASSIST TSUNAMI RELIEF,
GIVES $1.25 MILLION

REF: STATE 959

UNCLAS ANKARA 000098

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR EAID PGOV TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY URGES OIC MEMBERS TO ASSIST TSUNAMI RELIEF,
GIVES $1.25 MILLION

REF: STATE 959


1. We delivered reftel points January 5 to Turkish Ministry
of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Middle East Affairs Department Head
Botsali, who is in charge of OIC-related issues. Botsali
noted that OIC SecGen Ihsanoglu issued an appeal on January 1
for assistance to all OIC countries and Turkish FM Gul
followed up the OIC appeal with a letter to all OIC FMs
reiterating the call for assistance. Botsali said that the
MFA instructed Turkey's ambassadors to emphasize the OIC's
and Gul's appeals with host governments. Turkey has pledged
USD 1.25 million to tsunami relief efforts. We expressed
appreciation for Turkey's efforts so far and emphasized the
long-term nature of the effort needed.


2. We also called January 6 on Levent Senkaya of MFA's
International Organizations Department, which has been tasked
with the operational aspects of Turkey's tsunami victim
relief efforts, and reiterated reftel points. Senkaya
reviewed the steps Turkey is taking to respond to the
disaster and reported that Turkey is planning to host a
meeting of the UN PermReps of OIC member states in New York
in the coming weeks to take stock of pledges and urge OIC
members to do more. Turkey's NTV reported that Prime
Minister Erdogan may travel to the disaster region later this
month.


3. Senkaya said Turkey has already disbursed its $1.25
million pledge as follows: Indonesia - $600,000; Sri Lanka -
$350,000; Thailand - $125,000; the MALDIVES - $100,000; and
Malaysia - $75,000. Prime Minister Erdogan issued a circular
to all GOT entities to support fund-raising efforts in Turkey
and among Turkish nationals abroad; and the Prime Minster's
Office has established an account for the contributions. The
Turkish Red Crescent has already collected private
contributions of nearly $1.5 million, which it will use to
support the work of three Turkish teams already working in
Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand.
EDELMAN