Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA6470
2006-11-21 15:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TURKEY SUPPORTS AHTISAARI'S DELAY IN KOSOVO STATUS

Tags:  PREL PGOV YI TU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5231
RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHAK #6470 3251528
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 211528Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0017
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006470 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV YI TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY SUPPORTS AHTISAARI'S DELAY IN KOSOVO STATUS
PROCESS

REF: A. STATE 187642


B. STATE 186217

C. ANKARA 5475

Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner for reasons 1.4(b)
and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006470

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV YI TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY SUPPORTS AHTISAARI'S DELAY IN KOSOVO STATUS
PROCESS

REF: A. STATE 187642


B. STATE 186217

C. ANKARA 5475

Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner for reasons 1.4(b)
and (d)


1. (C) We discussed ref a points November 17 with Turkish MFA
Head of Department for Non-EU Western Europe, including the
Balkans, Hasan Asan. Asan said Turkey understood the
reasoning behind Ahtisaari's decision to delay submitting his
final status settlement (as reported ref b) and supported
him. Asan made clear Turkey's MFA will continue to align its
Kosovo policy with the U.S. and the EU and expressed the hope
that Kosovars will continue to demonstrate the patience they
have shown thus far in achieving their eventual independence.
Responding to a question about what Turkey would do in
reaction to a unilateral declaration of independence by
Pristina, Asan responded that it would be unlikely Turkey
would support it absent broad support from the international
community. He added candidly, "Turkey does not want to be
first in line in recognizing an independent Kosovo."


2. (C) However, Asan noted that, although there is not much
debate currently in Turkey on the issue (see ref c),he would
not entirely rule out the possibility that the ruling Justice
and Development Party (AKP) government might find it useful
to support such a declaration by Kosovo should it believe
there is a sufficiently large number votes to be gained
through such a stance in the run-up to Turkey's own
parliamentary elections in Autumn 2007. Were that to come to
pass, Asan stressed Turkey's MFA would argue strongly in
favor of the importance of aligning Turkey's policy vis-a-vis
Kosovo with the U.S. and the EU.

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

WILSON