TURKISH U/S ALI TUYGAN ON GREEK ISSUES AND OTHER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002597 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER GR IR IZ TU SUBJECT: TURKISH U/S ALI TUYGAN ON GREEK ISSUES AND OTHER TOPICS REF: ATHENS 1155 Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROSS WILSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) Summary: Turkish MFA U/S Ali Tuygan debriefed Ambassador May 5 on PM Erdogan's May 4 meeting in Thessaloniki with Greek PM Karamanlis and distanced Turkey from FM Gul's reported hard line on the Halki Seminary. Tuygan reviewed follow up on Secretary Rice's recent visit. Discussion also touched on Armenia, the UNSC race, Central Asia and Iran. End Summary Greek Patriarch Issues -------------- ¶2. (C) Ambassador complained that FM Gul's reported remarks on the Halki Seminary, which cited the Turkish constitution seemingly to suggest Halki would never open, was unhelpful and inconsistent with what Secretary Rice heard from PM Erdogan. The latter's emphasis on the treatment of ethnic Turks and Muslims in Greece had suggested that a deal might be possible that would ease the way to progress on religious minority issues in both countries, but Gul had seemed to step back from this. ¶3. (C) Tuygan read from the MFA's notes of Erdogan's meeting with Karamanlis to put a better face on matters. Erdogan reportedly complained about the lack of any Greek PM visit to Turkey in 40 years. He noted Turkey's interest in expanding trade and investment ties, as well as joint tourism. He sought Karamanlis' support on EU accession and suggested that Greece, Turkey and the two Cypriot communities should meet to discuss a way forward on Cyprus, as suggested in FM Gul's proposal of last January. On religious issues, Erdogan reportedly referred to the Lausanne Treaty's obligations on minority rights. He reportedly told Karamanlis that the current Patriarch was elected by a synod that included six non-Turkish nationals, which wasn't exactly legal -- but Turkey had looked the other way and had not made this a barrier to dealing with him. By contrast, when Turkish Greeks elect their community leaders, the GOG refuses to recognize them, institutes legal proceedings against them and appoints its own people in their stead. Whereas Greek Orthodox churches operate freely in Istanbul and many have been renovated, there is no mosque for Athens' Muslim population, and permits to renovate mosques elsewhere in Western Thrace are denied. ¶4. (C) According to Tuygan's notes, Karamanlis said he will visit Turkey and noted several unofficial visits that have occurred. He reiterated Greece's strong support for Turkey's EU accession when it meets EU criteria. Karamanlis said any Cyprus 2 plus 2 meeting would need careful preparation and suggested it is important to see what the UN SYG wants to do. Karamanlis said that discussion on the situation of Turkish Greeks are on-going in Athens, and there will be progress soon. FM Bakoyannis noted the Buyukada orphanage issue and observed that the presence of the Greek Patriarch is a plus for Turkey given his leadership role in the Orthodox world. On the last point, Erdogan reportedly replied that some in Moscow and elsewhere don't regard the Patriarch that way. One of his party said the legal process regarding the orphanage is on-going, and the Turkish government has not yet taken the matter on. The meeting reportedly closed with both leaders emphasizing the need to send better signals about Turkish-Greek cooperation, including on their respective minority issues. ¶5. (C) Tuygan observed that the MFA has twice tried to follow up a suggestion by then FM Molyviatis that the two governments should meet to discuss minority issues. Both times, according to Tuygan, the Greek ambassador here had deferred the request by saying he had no instructions. Other Issues -------------- ¶6. (C) Secretary's Visit: Tuygan said Turkey viewed the Secretary's visit here as a big success that will help manage SIPDIS our relations over the coming 18 months. He urged prompt conclusion of the vision/dialogue paper that A/S Fried received on April 26. Ambassador noted that EUR/SE Director Silliman may be in Ankara in two weeks time to discuss this and other subjects. ¶7. (C) Armenia: Ambassador said that Armenia's reply to Turkey's latest proposal on joint commissions was positive; Turkey should take "yes" for an answer, get an initial meeting scheduled as soon as possible, and make sure it is successful. This would give ammunition to Turkey's friends when the genocide issue comes up in Congress later this year. Tuygan took the comments on board. ¶8. (C) UNSC: Ambassador reminded Tuygan of FM Gul's assurance in February that Turkey will not support Venezuela for the UNSC. MFA and Turkish UN mission staff have been less clear when we have followed up at lower levels. While we appreciate Turkey's need to handle the issue in light of its own UNSC bid for the following year, Secretary Rice valued Gul's commitment regarding Venezuela. Tuygan replied that Ankara is aware of the issue's sensitivity for the US and will deal with it appropriately. ¶9. Central Asia/Iran: Ambassador said the embassy is seeking to arrange experts talks on Central Asia and Afghanistan when SCA A/S Boucher comes to Turkey for a TDA conference in June. Tuygan welcomed this. He also said Deputy U/S Uzumcu or another senior official will travel to Washington to discuss Iran -- probably in mid-May, if this time is suitable. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON