DEMARCHE TO TURKEY ON RATIFICATION OF SUA

UNCLAS ANKARA 002231 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR ISN/RA KURT KESSLER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL KTIA PHSA EWWT SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO TURKEY ON RATIFICATION OF SUA PROTOCOLS REF: STATE 59858 Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution. We raised ratification of the SUA protocols with Hakan Abaci of the MFA's Maritime Department. Abaci said Turkey shares the same goals as the U.S. and is keen to be among the first twelve nations to ratify the protocols. He expressed some frustration over the slowness of the process within the Turkish administration: currently the protocols are still being translated into Turkish after which they will be sent to the Prime Ministry for final approval by the Government. After the Prime Ministry approval, the protocols will be submitted to Parliament for ratification. Given the crush of legislation in the Parliament, Abaci was not confident the protocols would be passed before Parliament went on summer recess. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON