CURRENT PLANNING FOR BTC OPENING CEREMONY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002899 SIPDIS USDOE FOR CHARLES WASHINGTON USDOC FOR 4212/ITA/MAC/CPD/CRUSNAK SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG EPET EINV TU SUBJECT: CURRENT PLANNING FOR BTC OPENING CEREMONY REF: A) ANKARA 2009 B) ANKARA 1705 C) ANKARA 1527 ANKARA 00002899 001.3 OF 002 Sensitive But Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Turkish government and BP are set on July 13 as the date for the official ceremony marking completion of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline. The Turks are focusing on high level participation, including from the United States, but have not yet delivered invitations. We recommend that Energy Secretary Bodman lead the USG representation, and we urge SIPDIS a decision soon to ensure that we can secure hotel rooms and make other arrangements. First tanker loading is still targeted for May 27. End Summary. -------------- -------------- July 13 Ceremonial First Oil and Gala - Still no Invites -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Based on conversations with BP and the Turkish Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Energy, the following scenario appears under development for the July 13 official ceremony for inaugurating the BTC pipeline (refs). MFA DDG Energy Mithat Rende is the point person for the Turkish Government. ¶3. (SBU) The plan remains to hold the opening ceremony on the 13th at the new BTC sea terminal near the town of Ceyhan. Given expected high temperatures in July, the length of the ceremony would be kept short and air- conditioned facilities would be provided. As there is limited hotel space in the nearby city of Adana (40-45 minutes from Ceyhan by road),the MFA expects that most foreign guests will stay in Istanbul (approximately 1.5 hours from Adana by air). On the morning of the ceremony, participants would fly from Istanbul to Adana on a special plane and travel by bus or helicopter to Ceyhan. Following the ceremony, participants would return to Istanbul via Adana for a formal dinner that would be hosted by President Sezer or Prime Minister Erdogan at the Dolmabahce Palace on the Bosphorus. ¶4. (SBU) Although still in the planning stages, the Turkish government is aiming for a major international event that will highlight the role of BTC and Turkey in the global energy system. It is eager for high level participation from the U.S. and UK governments as well as BTC consortium countries. Turkish and BP officials regularly mention their hope that Secretary Bodman and Prince Andrew, as well as BP Chairman Browne will attend. They have also long hoped that the President or Vice President would be available, but seem to rcognize that the odds of this happening are dminishing as time passes without a firm date having been set. ¶5. (SBU) Post recommends that the USG representation at this event be led by Energy Secretary Bodman. We urge that Secretary Bodman consider adding a day of consultations with Turkish officials in Ankara on next steps in our bilateral energy dialogue. Post notes that during the tourist season, hotel rooms in Istanbul can be hard to find. We need to hear soon from Washington who may be representing the U.S., especially if more than a few rooms are necessary. -------------- Oil Marches On -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Meanwhile, oil (and the mechanical "pigs") were pumped onwards from Pump Station Four in northern Turkey on May 5 and the project is still on target for first tanker loading on May 27. BP told us that there will not likely be a big public affairs announcement to avoid competing with the July 13 event, but they anticipate press coverage. BP tells us that there is still no resolution with BOTAS in the dispute over cost over-runs (refs),but the dispute does not appear to be ANKARA 00002899 002.3 OF 002 holding up completion. WILSON