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