RESPONSE TO NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR TEST ANNOUNCEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 005865 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: AFTER KOREAN UNIFICATION TAGS: KN KNNP PARM PREL TU SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR TEST ANNOUNCEMENT DELIVERED TO TURKISH OFFICIALS REF: STATE 169418 Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor Carl Siebentritt for reasons 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (U) We delivered reftel points and Presidential statement on October 10 to Evren Akyol, who has principal responsibility for North Korean issues in the MFA's East Asia Bureau, and to Serhan Yigit in the MFA's Department of Arms Control and Disarmament. ¶2. (C) Akyol said that Turkey fully agrees with the USG view that North Korea's announcement is a serious threat to international peace and stability and noted that the MFA had released on October 9 a statement protesting the DPRK announcement (para 3). Akyol said that the GOT stands ready to work in cooperation with the U.S. and others to implement appropriate responses to North Korea's provocation. He also commented favorably on the PRC's strong statement of protest in reaction to the DPRK action. Akyol noted Turkey has little in the way of either trade or official contact with the DPRK, but nonetheless would be vigilant in guarding against North Korean financial transactions involving its proliferation activities. Yigit also pointed to the October 9 GOT statement condemning the North Korean announcement and told us that "we are on the same page." ¶3. (U) The following is an unofficial Embassy translation of MFA's October 9 statement in reaction to North Korean announcement of a successful nuclear test. Begin text: We strongly condemn this act of North Korea, despite a Unted Nations Security Council request made on October 5th to North Korea not to try a nuclear test as this test would jeopardize peace, stability, and security in the region. Today's test will not help efforts on nuclear non-proliferation. End text. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON