TURKISH DELEGATION TRAVELING TO HAVANA NAM MEETING

UNCLAS ANKARA 005219 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER PRHUM CU TU SUBJECT: TURKISH DELEGATION TRAVELING TO HAVANA NAM MEETING TO LOBBY FOR 2009-2010 TURKISH UNSC SEAT REF: STATE 145242 ¶1. (SBU) We spoke September 8 with Turkish MFA Deputy Director General (DAS equivalent) for the Americas Murat Esenli about the upcoming Havana Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit. Esenli affirmed that the Turks had received an invitation from the Cubans. After consulting with his colleagues in the International Organizations Department, he confirmed that the GOT would be sending a delegation because it constituted an unusual opportunity to lobby senior level government officials from a number of countries on behalf of Turkey's candidacy for a non-permanent UNSC seat for 2009-2010. ¶2. (SBU) The Turkish delegation would consist of State Minister and Deputy PM Abdullatif Sener, Turkey's roving Ambassador in charge of their UNSC candidacy and their Director General (A/S equivalent) for International Organizations. ¶3. (SBU) We made it clear that we would not be attending and pointed to the risk that Cuba could exploit Summit attendance. (Note: On Venezuela, the Turks are well aware of our position. End note.) Esenli acknowledged this, but said they would focus on recruiting support. In addition, the Turks want to ensure that no untoward language creeps into NAM communiques, particularly on Cyprus. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON