Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA2989
2006-05-25 08:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

EUR/SE DIRECTOR DISCUSSES CYPRUS IN ANKARA MAY 18

Tags:  PREL TU CY 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002989 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/24/2021
TAGS: PREL TU CY
SUBJECT: EUR/SE DIRECTOR DISCUSSES CYPRUS IN ANKARA MAY 18


(U) Classified by Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner,
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002989

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/24/2021
TAGS: PREL TU CY
SUBJECT: EUR/SE DIRECTOR DISCUSSES CYPRUS IN ANKARA MAY 18


(U) Classified by Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner,
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: On May 18, EUR/SE Director Silliman gave
MFA Northeastern Mediterranean DDG Bilman a readout of recent
Cyprus-related meetings in New York, London and Brussels and
asked for Ankara's ideas on measures for Turkish Cypriots
that could provide Turkey the political space it needs to
open ports and airports to Greek Cypriots. Bilman said the
MFA is discussing ideas about Famagusta with EU Commission
officials, and provided some details about port arrangements
that could be sellable in Ankara. The MFA views the Customs
Union dispute settlement mechanism as a last resort that it
probably cannot persuade the government to accept. The MFA
sees Russia's Cyprus stance changing, and recommends the U.S.
consult with Russia on Cyprus. End Summary.

The UN Process
--------------


2. (C) Silliman gave Bilman a complete readout of his recent
Cyprus-related meetings in New York, London and Brussels.
Bilman appreciated the readouts, and told Silliman the MFA
was in touch with the EU Commission, the UK, the UN and the
Finns. Silliman asked Bilman what types of measures for
Turkish Cypriots would provide the political space Turkey
needs to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot vessels
and aircraft.


3. (C) Bilman insisted the MFA did not have a problem with
SRSG Moeller but that Moeller was exceeding his mandate,
which was to bring Turkish and Greek Cypriots together for
technical talks. Bilman claimed his contacts in the UN
Secretariat said Moeller was not regularly reporting his

SIPDIS
activities to them. Silliman strongly urged Bilman to have
the MFA open direc communications with Moeller. Bilman
doubtedthe MFA would do so until the UN replied to "TRNC
President" Talat's April 4 letter asking for the SYG's
current position on the Annan Plan.


4. (C) Bilman said Commission officials had approached
Turkey with ideas about opening ports that could be presented
through a UN process. He speculated the SYG could produce a
matrix, as alluded to in UN U/SYG Gambari's March 20 letter
to Talat. He acknowledged Turkey still needs to provide
Gambari with ideas of what Turkey would need in order to open

ports and airports. Bilman said London and Brussels were
also seeking a solution to the ports and airports problem.


5. (C) Silliman told Bilman the UN would be very reluctant
to infringe on Turkey/EU issues and reminded him that in the
end Turkey had to implement its EU obligations.
Nevertheless, Bilman said a UN "suggestion" on the ports
issue would be welcome in Ankara.

Famagusta
--------------


6. (C) Bilman said that he discussed ideas on Famagusta and
other ports with Commission officials, including the idea of
resolving the ports issue via Customs Union dispute
settlement mechanisms. According to Bilman, the MFA views
these mechanisms as a "last resort" and would have difficulty
convincing the government to accept either binding
arbitration or submitting the issue to the European Court of
Justice (ECJ). Bilman strongly doubted the MFA would be able
to convince the political leadership in the government to
accept either one.


7. (C) Bilman called the idea of opening a Turkish Cypriot
port "a good one" that the MFA is working on without Talat's
knowledge, since it could involve some degree of UN or EU
control, which Talat would resist. However, according to
Bilman, in order for a Famagusta proposal to be sellable in
Ankara, the port must remain Turkish Cypriot territory, not a
UN zone, and there must be no Greek Cypriot involvement of
any sort. Bilman was open to the idea of Commission
officials being stationed in the port, adding that the
proposal would be more welcome if the Turkish Cypriot Chamber
of Commerce issues certificates of origin. Port management

ANKARA 00002989 002 OF 002


could be handled by an international third party company, but
port master duties would have to be handled by Turkish
Cypriots.


8. (C) Bilman predicted Turkey would not open any port
before the EU progress report on Turkey, but he thought the
EU and the GOT could limit the damage and prevent a complete
halt in Turkey's accession negotiations.

Russia, Cyprus and Turkey
--------------


9. (C) Bilman said Russia's Cyprus stance is changing,
becoming more favorable for Turkey and Turkish Cypriots. He
speculated that FM Lavrov may be leaning toward approving
Russian measures to help Turkish Cypriots. Bilman thinks
Russia seeks "respect" and to be consulted on Cyprus; he
recommended that the U.S. consult with the GOR on Cyprus.
(Note: Lavrov will be in Turkey May 31-June 1, an opportunity
for the Turks themselves to press their points. End note.)

Talking to the UK
--------------


10. (C) Silliman spoke separately with UK Ambassador
Westmacott and DCM Roberts to compare notes on Cyprus.
Westmacott and Roberts agreed that Brussels was focused on
avoiding a Cyprus train-wreck in Turkey's EU negotiations.
Westmacott was looking for creative ideas, including trading
the opening of one port in Turkish Cyprus for the opening of
Turkish ports or other "new" approaches that would allow the
Turks to fulfill their obligation. As a last resort,
Westmacott indicated he was talking to MFA about the
possibility of invoking the Customs Union dispute settlement
mechanism. As a practical matter, in either case -
arbitration or ECJ referral - the Turkish complaint that it
would not give them the time and cover the GOT needed was
disingenuous, since the process would last at least two
years. Though it would have to be approved at 25 in
Brussels, the moral suasion on the Greek Cypriots would be
stronger with an ECJ case: the argument would be that Turks
are accepting an EU institution although they are not yet
members. Were dispute settlement to be used, Westmacott
stressed, it could not be unveiled until the last minute to
be effective.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/

WILSON