TURKISH MFA CAUTIOUS ABOUT CYPRUS TECHNICAL TALKS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001104 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2021 TAGS: PREL TU CY UNFICYP EU SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA CAUTIOUS ABOUT CYPRUS TECHNICAL TALKS REF: NICOSIA 294 (U) Classified by Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: The Turkish MFA is approaching cautiously the idea of UN brokered technical-level talks (reftel), wanting to avoid topics the GOT considers final settlement issues. MFA officials welcome the talks cautiously for what they are and recognize the importance of face-to-face discussions, but do not want these technical talks to become a substitute for an Annan-Plan based approach to overall settlement. End Summary. MFA: Talks Limited to "Matters that Affect Daily Lives" -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) As of the end of the day on March 3, the Turkish Government had yet to make any public statement about the talks. ¶3. (C) When we called on MFA Cyprus Department Head Huseyin Muftuoglu March 3, Muftuoglu claimed the idea for technical talks had actually originated from the Turkish Cypriot side. He stated that the GOT supports face-to-face meetings between GOC and Turkish Cypriot officials, whatever the level, and that the Turks will not limit Talat's room for maneuver. He emphasized the talks should be limited to "matters that affect the daily lives" of people on the island; avoid issues like Varosha and demilitarization that should be left to final settlement; and must not become a substitute for comprehensive settlement talks. The GOT does not, Muftuoglu said, view this as the beginning of a bottom-up process: these are technical talks. ¶4. (C) We pointed out that the talks are taking place under UN aegis, and between Turkish and Greek Cypriot representatives, two key Turkish goals. We told Muftuoglu that Turkey should do everything possible to make sure Turkish Cypriot representatives are, and are seen as, empowered to negotiate and conclude agreements, and to demonstrate that Turkey is doing nothing to block progress. We assured him the U.S. continues to view the UN forum and the Annan Plan as the basis for final settlement. UK Also Urging Constructive Approach -------------- ¶5. (C) We spoke separately with the UK Ambassador, who has also approached the MFA, encouraging the GOT to be seen as constructive on the talks and do nothing to alienate the UN. However, Muftuoglu's boss, DDG Bilman, before leaving with FM Gul for Madrid, expressed considerable dismay about the February 28 joint statement about the talks and declined to discuss the issue in detail with the UK Cyprus watcher. ¶6. (C) Comment: It is positive that the GOT wants credit to go to the TCs for tabling the idea of technical talks first. However, the GOT is wary of anything that appears to shift the focus away from the months-long Greek Cypriot refusal to clearly state their proposed changes to the Annan Plan. The MFA worries that failure to reach agreement in technical areas, or refusal to expand the talks to areas like Varosha and demilitarization, risks shifting to the TCs and Turks the aura of intransigence they believe is currently upon the Greek Cypriots. End Summary. WILSON