BMENA: DAD INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE IN ANKARA,

UNCLAS ANKARA 002156 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM BMENA TU SUBJECT: BMENA: DAD INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE IN ANKARA, MAY 21-23 REF: SIEBENTRITT/DAS CARPENTER E-MAILS 4/7 AND 4/19 ¶1. (U) Turkish MFA BMENA Coordinator Ambassador Omur Orhun briefed representatives from G-8 and BMENA embassies April 19 on Turkey's preparations for a May 21-23 Democracy Assistance Dialogue (DAD) Intergovernmental Conference entitled "Empowering Women in Public Life." Orhun stressed that the MFA, together with the State Minister for Women and Family Affairs Nimet Cubukcu, has designed the conference to crown the work of the two Istanbul DAD symposia on women's issues. While the two Istanbul events were organized by the Turkish NGO TESEV and emphasized civil society participation, the Ankara intergovernmental will focus on bringing together senior G-8 and BMENA government officials with civil society representatives. ¶2. (U) Deliverable: The GOT plans for the main deliverable of the intergovernmental conference to be a declaration or statement in support of the final statement emanating from the second Istanbul symposium. The MFA, in consultation with the Women and Family Affairs Office, is preparing a concept paper to guide participating governments' thinking on a declaration. According to the MFA, the concept paper will be distributed to governments and their Ankara representatives the week of April 24 and the process for arriving at a final declaration will be similar to that used by Italy during its DAD event cycle. ¶3. (SBU) Participation: Orhun said that invitations signed by FM Gul and Family Minister Cubukcu were sent to capitals in early March. The GOT is hoping that ministers or their deputies from BMENA countries, and representatives of "appropriate rank" from G-8 countries, will attend. The UN, OIC, EU, and OECD have also been invited. Orhun was concerned the MFA had received few replies to date. Of the BMENA invitees, only Iraq, Syria, and Yemen have confirmed attendance at the minister level. Senior UN officials (CEDAW, SYG's Special Advisor for Gender Issues, and Director of the UN Department on Women's Development) have regretted; the GOT is encouraging them to send deputies. The OIC has promised to send a senior cultural affairs official. The GOT had invited Palestinian President Abbas to send a "personal representative," but thus far has received no reply. (A Palestinian diplomat attended the briefing). ¶4. (U) FM Gul and State Minister Cubukcu will make opening speeches at the conference and will host a dinner for delegations the evening of May 22. ¶5. (U) Orhun hoped that G-8 and BMENA countries would confirm their delegations' participation as soon as possible. The MFA asked to be informed in advance if delegation heads plan to make a presentation during the May 22 plenary session and if there are any special equipment needs. ¶6. (SBU) After the briefing, Orhun told us privately he hoped the U.S. would encourage the participation of G-8/BMENA states in the May conference. He added that the GOT is also planning a DAD coordination meeting on the margins of the conference, to include DAD co-sponsors, the U.S., UK, and lead NGOs. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON