Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA2037
2006-04-14 10:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
DAS BRYZA URGES TURKISH MFA TO THINK FORWARD ON
how-toVZCZCXYZ0008 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAK #2037/01 1041040 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 141040Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU//TCH// PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEUITH/TLO ANKARA TU PRIORITY RUEHAK/TSR ANKARA TU PRIORITY RUEHAK/USDAO ANKARA TU PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002037
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2021
TAGS: PREL TU CY EU
SUBJECT: DAS BRYZA URGES TURKISH MFA TO THINK FORWARD ON
CYPRUS
ANKARA 00002037 001.2 OF 002
(U) Classified by DCM Nancy McEldowney, reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002037
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2021
TAGS: PREL TU CY EU
SUBJECT: DAS BRYZA URGES TURKISH MFA TO THINK FORWARD ON
CYPRUS
ANKARA 00002037 001.2 OF 002
(U) Classified by DCM Nancy McEldowney, reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (C) Summary: Meeting with Turkish MFA officials on April
4, DAS Bryza urged them to support intercommunal technical
talks, work with SRSG Moeller, and consider possible options
for joint administration of Famagusta port that could provide
a way for the GOT to open ports and airports to the Republic
of Cyprus (ROC). Deputy U/S Apakan noted that Famagusta had
historically been under sole Turkish Cypriot control but
promised to think about the idea. The MFA is still concerned
that the Annan Plan and the ROC's responsibility to state
with clarity and finality its objections to it not be
forgotten. End Summary.
MFA Focuses On Annan Plan
--------------
2. (C) Deputy U/S Apakan welcomed DAS Bryza, noted the MFA's
statement supporting the technical talks on Cyprus, and said
the GOT is encouraging Turkish Cypriots to engage
constructively in the talks. However, the technical talks
must not become a substitute for pursuit of a comprehensive
settlement based the Annan Plan. FM Gul's action plan on
removing all restrictions on Turkish and Cypriot ports could
be provide a transition to comprehensive settlement. Turkey
does not want to see the Annan Plan slowly scrapped, as
happened in the past with the UN set of ideas, given all the
years of effort that had gone into the Annan Plan, which
still provided the most hopeful framework to date for a
solution.
3. (C) Northeastern Mediterranean DG Haydar Berk seconded
Apakan's concerns about the Annan Plan, adding that the ROC
is attempting to increase Turkish Cypriot economic isolation,
including by pushing for a construction moratorium in the
north. Berk told Bryza Turkey hopes for something more from
the U.S. on trade and direct flights with the north, which
would give ROC President Papadopoulos incentive to compromise.
4. (C) Apakan and Northeastern Mediterranean DDG Bilman, who
participated in 2004 Annan Plan negotiations, pointed out
that the Plan contains internal balances within specific
topics, but also balances between topics; Bilman cited the
balances between territory and Greek Cypriot return
percentages as an example. Pulling out one substantive topic
for separate negotiation collapses the entire Plan, Apakan
concluded.
Bryza: Think About How to Move Forward
--------------
5. (C) DAS Bryza agreed the Annan Plan structure needs to be
maintained and that Papadopoulos should submit to the UNSYG
his objections to the Plan with clarity and finality, in
priority order, an in written form. But the Turkish side
would be wise to avoid using the name "Annan Plan," given the
Greek Cypriot political sensitivities. Apakan agreed. Bryza
continued, noting that the U.S. fully supports the SYG and
the Good Offices Mission, but believed that rejuvenating a
negotiating process with a prospect of settlement would take
time and probably require significant political changes in
the Republic of Cyprus. Meanwhile, the technical talks could
be a source of positive momentum and proof that Turkey is
working positively. Turkey should work with SRSG Moeller in
this context.
6. (C) Bryza said that Turkey needs to think about how to
bridge the gaps between the Gul action plan on port openings,
Turkey's obligation to the to EU open its ports and airports
to the ROC, and the ROC Famagusta proposal. Bryza
acknowledged this would be politically difficult for Turkey,
but the opening of Famagusta under some form of UN or EU
administration could provide political cover for Turkey to
open ports and airports to Greek Cypriot ships. Bryza urged
the MFA to think along these lines about how to move forward
in a practical way.
7. (C) Apakan replied that Famagusta is the only Turkish
Cypriot port, had historically been under sole Turkish
Cypriot administration, and would be part of the Turkish
Cypriot community zone under the Annan Plan. If it were
ANKARA 00002037 002.2 OF 002
opened under joint administration, this would change the
Annan Plan. Talat would have to decide about this in the
end. Turkish Cypriots would probably need access to Limassol
and Larnaka. Still, Apakan said Turkey would think about it.
8. (C) DAS Bryza urged Apakan to keep in mind the goal of
keeping Turkey's EU accession on track. A Famagusta option
could provide Turkey the cover necessary to open at least one
port.
9. (C) Comment: This meeting provided a good preview of the
types of issues and arguments we can expect to hear from the
Turkish side as we try to get them to focus on the possible
tradeoffs that will yield the political cover they need to
open their ports and airports. That Apakan did not reject
the Famagusta idea out of hand is encouraging, but there is
much more work ahead to convince the Turkish side to make the
necessary tough choices. End Comment.
10. (U() DAS Bryza has cleared this message.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2021
TAGS: PREL TU CY EU
SUBJECT: DAS BRYZA URGES TURKISH MFA TO THINK FORWARD ON
CYPRUS
ANKARA 00002037 001.2 OF 002
(U) Classified by DCM Nancy McEldowney, reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
1. (C) Summary: Meeting with Turkish MFA officials on April
4, DAS Bryza urged them to support intercommunal technical
talks, work with SRSG Moeller, and consider possible options
for joint administration of Famagusta port that could provide
a way for the GOT to open ports and airports to the Republic
of Cyprus (ROC). Deputy U/S Apakan noted that Famagusta had
historically been under sole Turkish Cypriot control but
promised to think about the idea. The MFA is still concerned
that the Annan Plan and the ROC's responsibility to state
with clarity and finality its objections to it not be
forgotten. End Summary.
MFA Focuses On Annan Plan
--------------
2. (C) Deputy U/S Apakan welcomed DAS Bryza, noted the MFA's
statement supporting the technical talks on Cyprus, and said
the GOT is encouraging Turkish Cypriots to engage
constructively in the talks. However, the technical talks
must not become a substitute for pursuit of a comprehensive
settlement based the Annan Plan. FM Gul's action plan on
removing all restrictions on Turkish and Cypriot ports could
be provide a transition to comprehensive settlement. Turkey
does not want to see the Annan Plan slowly scrapped, as
happened in the past with the UN set of ideas, given all the
years of effort that had gone into the Annan Plan, which
still provided the most hopeful framework to date for a
solution.
3. (C) Northeastern Mediterranean DG Haydar Berk seconded
Apakan's concerns about the Annan Plan, adding that the ROC
is attempting to increase Turkish Cypriot economic isolation,
including by pushing for a construction moratorium in the
north. Berk told Bryza Turkey hopes for something more from
the U.S. on trade and direct flights with the north, which
would give ROC President Papadopoulos incentive to compromise.
4. (C) Apakan and Northeastern Mediterranean DDG Bilman, who
participated in 2004 Annan Plan negotiations, pointed out
that the Plan contains internal balances within specific
topics, but also balances between topics; Bilman cited the
balances between territory and Greek Cypriot return
percentages as an example. Pulling out one substantive topic
for separate negotiation collapses the entire Plan, Apakan
concluded.
Bryza: Think About How to Move Forward
--------------
5. (C) DAS Bryza agreed the Annan Plan structure needs to be
maintained and that Papadopoulos should submit to the UNSYG
his objections to the Plan with clarity and finality, in
priority order, an in written form. But the Turkish side
would be wise to avoid using the name "Annan Plan," given the
Greek Cypriot political sensitivities. Apakan agreed. Bryza
continued, noting that the U.S. fully supports the SYG and
the Good Offices Mission, but believed that rejuvenating a
negotiating process with a prospect of settlement would take
time and probably require significant political changes in
the Republic of Cyprus. Meanwhile, the technical talks could
be a source of positive momentum and proof that Turkey is
working positively. Turkey should work with SRSG Moeller in
this context.
6. (C) Bryza said that Turkey needs to think about how to
bridge the gaps between the Gul action plan on port openings,
Turkey's obligation to the to EU open its ports and airports
to the ROC, and the ROC Famagusta proposal. Bryza
acknowledged this would be politically difficult for Turkey,
but the opening of Famagusta under some form of UN or EU
administration could provide political cover for Turkey to
open ports and airports to Greek Cypriot ships. Bryza urged
the MFA to think along these lines about how to move forward
in a practical way.
7. (C) Apakan replied that Famagusta is the only Turkish
Cypriot port, had historically been under sole Turkish
Cypriot administration, and would be part of the Turkish
Cypriot community zone under the Annan Plan. If it were
ANKARA 00002037 002.2 OF 002
opened under joint administration, this would change the
Annan Plan. Talat would have to decide about this in the
end. Turkish Cypriots would probably need access to Limassol
and Larnaka. Still, Apakan said Turkey would think about it.
8. (C) DAS Bryza urged Apakan to keep in mind the goal of
keeping Turkey's EU accession on track. A Famagusta option
could provide Turkey the cover necessary to open at least one
port.
9. (C) Comment: This meeting provided a good preview of the
types of issues and arguments we can expect to hear from the
Turkish side as we try to get them to focus on the possible
tradeoffs that will yield the political cover they need to
open their ports and airports. That Apakan did not reject
the Famagusta idea out of hand is encouraging, but there is
much more work ahead to convince the Turkish side to make the
necessary tough choices. End Comment.
10. (U() DAS Bryza has cleared this message.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON