TURKEY, SEEKING UNSC SEAT, CUTS RECIPROCAL SUPPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001489 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2021 TAGS: PREL UNSC TU SUBJECT: TURKEY, SEEKING UNSC SEAT, CUTS RECIPROCAL SUPPORT AGREEMENT WITH VENEZUELA, BUT OPEN TO USG VIEWS REF: ANKARA 648 Classified By: PolCouns Janice G. Weiner, reasons 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Turkish MFA Deputy Director for International Political Organizations Tunc Ugdul called us in March 20 to pitch Turkey's UNSC candidacy for 2009-2010 and place the Guatemala/Venezuela issue in perspective. Turkey's candidacy, within the WEU and others group, is a high GoT priority. They launched their campaign in 2003 and, wherever possible, are pursuing reciprocal mutual support agreements. The Turks have not served on the UNSC since 1961, when they split the term with Poland. The GoT would greatly appreciate USG support at an early stage, Ugdul stressed, as well as assistance in lobbying, as we have given Guatemala. ¶2. (C) With respect to Guatemala and Venezuela, Ugdul continued, Turkey approached Guatemala in 2005 to propose a reciprocal support agreement. Guatemala was unable to accept, as it had already agreed to support one of two other countries - Iceland and Austria - which are vying for the same seat as Turkey. The Turks then approached Ecuador, but the Ecuadoreans withdrew their candidacy in November 2005. Their third choice was Venezuela; they concluded a reciprocal support agreement. We inquired as to the outcome of a more recent conversation between the Turks and Guatemalans in New York; Ugdul responded simply that the Guatemalans had presented their position. ¶3. (C) We stressed the high level attention being paid to this in Washington. We also noted the Ambassador's previous conversation with FM Gul, in which Gul was forward-leaning on Turkish support for Guatemala. Ugdul asserted that the FM had indicated the Turks would consider our request positively, which, coming from a friend and strategic ally, they continue to do. ¶4. (C) Comment: The Turks clearly hope we will offer our support for their UNSC bid in exchange for their vote on Guatemala. End comment. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON