Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA3821
2006-06-29 13:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

GOT DENIES INVOLVEMENT IN "TRNC" DECISION TO BLOCK

Tags:  ETRD EAID PREL PGOV ECON CY TU 
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VZCZCXYZ0028
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAK #3821 1801331
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 291331Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6932
INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS PRIORITY 7300
RUEHHE/AMEMBASSY HELSINKI PRIORITY 0219
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 3033
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA PRIORITY 6585
RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA PRIORITY 1585
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
UNCLAS ANKARA 003821 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE; PLEASE PASS TO USAID/E&E STUDZINSKI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EAID PREL PGOV ECON CY TU
SUBJECT: GOT DENIES INVOLVEMENT IN "TRNC" DECISION TO BLOCK
POTATO SALE

REF: NICOSIA 977

UNCLAS ANKARA 003821

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE; PLEASE PASS TO USAID/E&E STUDZINSKI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EAID PREL PGOV ECON CY TU
SUBJECT: GOT DENIES INVOLVEMENT IN "TRNC" DECISION TO BLOCK
POTATO SALE

REF: NICOSIA 977


1. (SBU) We discussed reftel points on June 28 with Engin
Solakoglu, MFA Cyprus Department chief of section. Solakoglu
told us the GOT played no role in the decision by Turkish
Cypriot authorities to cancel a deal to export Turkish
Cypriot potatoes to Europe through the Greek Cypriot port of
Limassol. He said the GOT does not get involved in such
minor Cypriot issues, particularly given that the current
"TRNC" government is more sensitive than its predecessor to
being perceived as taking instruction from Ankara. He flatly
denied that the GOT has offered to compensate the "TRNC" for
the loss of the sale. Levent Bilman, MFA DDG for Northeast
Mediterranean Affairs, also told us separately that the GOT
played no role in the matter; he said he had not been aware
of the issue until we told him.

2. (SBU) Solakoglu also said he had not heard about the issue
until we raised it prior to our appointment, at which time he
searched for information on the Internet. He showed us a
copy of an article by Hasan Ercakica, "TRNC" presidential
spokesperson, from the June 26 edition of Yeniduzen, in which
Ercakica argues that the planned exportation was a political
ploy designed to give the impression that the "TRNC" is not
economically isolated and thereby pressure Turkey to open its
ports to Greek Cypriot shipping. Solakoglu said the article
is a good indication that the Turkish Cypriots blocked the
deal on their own, and "if you want to know about it you
should talk to them." Solakoglu offered that he agrees with
the Turkish Cypriot decision; the export deal, he said, was a
"political trap" that would have undermined the efforts of
Turkish Cypriots to end their economic isolation without
bringing any substantial benefits.


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

WILSON