Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA3542
2006-06-15 12:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

FM GUL AND FM BAKOYANNIS JUNE 10 MEETING

Tags:  MOPS PREL NATO KIRF TU GR 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 003542 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2021
TAGS: MOPS PREL NATO KIRF TU GR
SUBJECT: FM GUL AND FM BAKOYANNIS JUNE 10 MEETING

(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 ANKARA 003542

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2021
TAGS: MOPS PREL NATO KIRF TU GR
SUBJECT: FM GUL AND FM BAKOYANNIS JUNE 10 MEETING

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


1. (C) Summary: The June 10 meeting between Turkish FM Gul
and Greek FM Bakoyannis produced no surprises and few
concrete results. Coming on the heels of a May 23 collision
between Turkish and Greek fighter jets and other recent
Aegean incidents, the most remarkable fact about the meeting
was that it went ahead as planned. End Summary.

No Surprises, Few Results
--------------


2. (SBU) According to Turkish MFA Northeastern Mediterranean
DDG Bilman, the meeting lasted about an hour, starting with a
brief one-on-one, followed by an expanded meeting including
delegations. The centerpiece of the meeting was
widely-expected formal agreement on a series of Aegean
confidence building measures: extension of a moratorium on
Aegean military training flights; entry into service of a
"hotline" between air operations centers in Eskisehir and
Larissa; and establishment of direct communication lines
between Turkish and Greek Chiefs of Staff. A Greek Emboff
told us June 10 that there are already numerous Turkish/Greek
"hotlines," and that the announcement of this one was chiefly
for the media.


3. (C) According to Bilman, neither side raised Cyprus in
the expanded meeting (Comment: If it was raised, it was
likely in the one-on-one. End Comment). Bakoyannis asked Gul
to take steps to open Halki Seminary. Gul countered that
although the GOT supports religious freedom, it had to abide
by constitutional "limitations"; positive GoG measures for
the Turkish minority in Western Thrace would facilitate GOT
movement. Gul suggested the two governments designate
high-level diplomats to discuss Halki, Western Thrace and
other similar issues; Bakoyannis initially demurred, then
reluctantly agreed.


4. (C) Comment: Coming on the heels of a May 23 collision
between Turkish and Greek fighters jets, May 30 tensions
around Imia/Kardak island, and a June 1 collision between
Turkish and Greek ships, the most remarkable fact about the
meeting was that it went ahead. DDG Bilman complained he saw
no effect of the meeting on subsequent Greek behavior toward
Turkey at June 12 EU-related meetings in Luxembourg. The
same might be said of Turkey, however: on June 14,
responding to a question, MFA spokesman Tan stated that, if a
Turkish Air Force report shows that the Greek pilot was at
fault, the Turks may seek compensation for the fighter jet it
lost in the May 23 collision. End Comment.

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

WILSON