TURKEY/ARMENIA: YEREVAN'S RESPONSE TO JOINT

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002410 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2026 TAGS: PREL PHUM AR TU SUBJECT: TURKEY/ARMENIA: YEREVAN'S RESPONSE TO JOINT COMMISSIONS PROPOSAL REF: A. ANKARA 2385 ¶B. ANKARA 1651 Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (S) On April 28 the MFA provided us, in confidence, a copy of Yerevan's response to Turkey's March 10 non-paper seeking to bridge the gap between Turkey's April 2005 proposal for the establishment of a Joint Historical Commission and Armenia's counter-proposal of an Intergovernmental Commission. The Yerevan note is dated April 19. Text as received is at para 4. ¶2. (S) MFA Deputy Undersecretary Ahmet Uzumcu told EUR A/S Daniel Fried and NSC Senior Director Judith Ansley during April 26 discussions that the MFA is still analyzing the Armenian response but is not entirely happy with it (ref a). In follow up discussions on April 28, MFA Caucasus Department Head Suleyman Gokce told us the MFA is disappointed at the lack of coherence and detail in Yerevan's response. The MFA also does not know what to make of the note's reference to Armenia's concerns "that dialogue is proceeding for dialogue's sake" and other negative references. Despite its frustrations with the note, Gokce said the MFA remains committed to the process of seeking reconciliation with Armenia. ¶3. (S) We have and will continue to urge the Turkish government to focus on the positive response contained in the last sentence of the Armenian note and, on that basis, to engage Yerevan on moving the bilateral dialogue forward. ¶4. (S) Text of Armenian Non Paper, dated April 19: For nearly one year, we have met and exchanged views on various matters, including concrete measures necessary for the creation of an amicable environment between our peoples and for normalization of relations between our two countries. We have acknowledged that the relevant issues include but are not limited to the events of 1915, the reopening of the border between Armenia and Turkey, the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries, direct economic relations, cultural and social cooperation. At the same time, these meetings have generated a degree of mutual understanding that some of the above-mentioned issues should be treated very sensitively within both societies given the existence of a regrettable historic divide between our two peoples, which has been further exacerbated by certain developments both bilaterally and internationally since the beginning of the 1990s. These are indeed matters of deep concern which still need to be addressed bilaterally. Taking into full account the views presented in the N/P of March 10, 2006, as well as reiterating our desire to continue on the path of serious and sincere dialogue aimed at normalization of our bilateral relations, we are concerned that dialogue is proceeding for dialogue's sake. We would like to stress the further development and elaboration of the current format of our intergovernmental contacts - conducted by the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs at the level of deputy ministers - to deal with the existing issues in two major clusters: ¶1. the furtherance of academic/research cooperation and social-cultural ties ¶2. the reopening of the border between Armenia and Turkey, the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries, other political issues, as well as the development of the direct economic relations. There is already a great deal of momentum in the first direction: conferences, informal and formal groups of academicians, dialogue, organized and ongoing workshops, and as such, there are contacts and extensive debate. Still, the first cluster would focus on the whole specter of long-standing relations between the Armenian and Turkish peoples, including the events of 1915. The format will encourage and support production or commissioning of joint studies, books, conferences, seminars, etc. It will also coordinate and facilitate bilateral social-cultural exchanges. Regarding the issues which fall into the second cluster, however, we are concerned that the process will become a facade and the existence of the working clusters will become self-serving. Unlike the first cluster, there is no movement of any sort in the second area, and on the contrary, the conditions and linkages with third party issues are becoming ANKARA 00002410 002 OF 002 stronger and graver. As a result, we are concerned that the entire process may fail because of a lack of will to support the process in its entirety. Nevertheless, we are willing to give this format a try, and if there is progress, the number of participating officials may increase, the Terms of Reference and Order of Business agreed, and the meetings may become regular. End Text. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON