POLICY PLANNING TALKS WITH TURKEY ON FOR OCTOBER 19

UNCLAS ANKARA 005581 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE, S/P E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL TU US SUBJECT: POLICY PLANNING TALKS WITH TURKEY ON FOR OCTOBER 19 ¶1. (SBU) We met with Turkish Deputy Director General (DAS equivalent) for policy planning Atilla Gunay, who reconfirmed that the Turks are looking forward to the October 19 visit of S/P director Stephen Krasner and EUR DAS Matt Bryza for the inaugural set of U.S.-Turkey policy planning talks. ¶2. (SBU) Gunay explained that the Turkish Embassy in Washington has been instructed to approach the Department with the Turkish proposal. Modelled on their policy planning talks with a number of other countries, they will propose starting at 10 a.m., moving to a working lunch at 1 p.m., and continuing in a relatively free-wheeling form for as long as needed. ¶3. (SBU) Their preference is also for an open agenda. Their intent is that discussions not focus on bilateral issues, but rather look at areas of mutual interest -- for example, Iran, Iraq, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East or the EU, to name a few. They would prefer a "flexible" approach that would allow for discussion of a number of foreign policy priorities and enrich both sides' understandings of a variety of issues of the day without being pinned down to a specific agenda. They may or may not pull in other MFA officials; it would depend on how the discussions progress. ¶4. (SBU) We promised to forward their proposal and respond with Washington's comments. This is an excellent opportunity to start to put some meat on the bones of the Strategic Vision document. We would propose adding a bit more structure, so that we have a chance jointly to examine trends and tease out Turkish thinking on a number of issues. Depending on the planned arrival and departure times of Messrs. Krasner and Bryza, we propose as well that they meet separately with FM and PM adviser Ambassador Ahmet Davutoglu. We would also hope to organize a small dinner with several thoughtful think tank and media representatives to round out the visit. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON