TURKEY PRESSING FOR 2009-2019 UN SECURITY COUNCIL

UNCLAS ANKARA 002573 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC SUBJECT: TURKEY PRESSING FOR 2009-2019 UN SECURITY COUNCIL SEAT ¶1. Summary: Turkey continues to make the case for its 2009-2010 UNSC bid. Foreign Minister Gul made a strong pitch for Turkey's candidacy for a non-permanent UNSC seat for 2009-2010 to the Ankara Diplomatic Corps on April 19. His presentation focused on Turkey's contributions to peacekeeping, development and humanitarian assistance, and the common fight against global terrorism and WMD proliferation. He highlighted Turkey's important role in promoting understanding among societies and commitment to "spreading universal values to a wider geography." End Summary ¶2. FM Gul enumerated Turkey's contribution to international peacekeeping and peace-building activities under UN, NATO, and EU missions, from the end of World War II up to Turkey's leadership role in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. He said Turkey has suffered the second highest casualty rate among contributors to UN peacekeeping missions. Over 300 Turkish civilian police are currently deployed in UN peacekeeping missions around the world and Turkey strongly supports the establishment of a UN Peace Building Commission. ¶3. Characterizing his country as one long plagued by terrorism, Gul stated Turkey is at the front of efforts to build international cooperation for the global war on terrorism and highlighted Turkey's commitment to the measures put in place under UNSCR 1373. He noted Turkey's contributions to the UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention in Vienna. He also pointed to Turkey's efforts within NATO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation organization, and the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative in combating cross-border crime. Gul also mentioned Turkey's commitment to non-proliferation, noting Turkey's participation in all major international non-proliferation instruments and export control regimes. ¶4. Gul elaborated at some length on Turkey's emphasis on development issues and commitment to UN Millennium Development Goals. He stated that Turkey's Official Development Assistance (ODA) for 2004 was USD 340 million. Turkey is a donor to the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility. Occupying a disaster-prone geography, Turkey recognizes the importance of humanitarian aid. It contributed over USD 232 million in cash and in-kind assistance to 25 countries in 2005. In particular, Gul mentioned official and private Turkish support to victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami and 2005 Pakistan earthquake. ¶5. Gul concluded his remarks by highlighting the role Turkey can play in fostering dialogue among cultures and contributing to mutual understanding among societies. "We are committed to spreading universal values to a broader geography," he stated, noting Turkey's role in the establishment of the OIC-EU Joint Forum in 2002 and its co-sponsorship of the Alliance of Civilizations under the aegis of the UN Secretary General. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON