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