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"
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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
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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