Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA6674
2006-12-16 08:32:00
SECRET
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
FM GUL ASKS TO MEET SECRETARY RICE IN WASHINGTON
how-toVZCZCXRO6955 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV DE RUEHAK #6674 3500832 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 160832Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0318 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
S E C R E T ANKARA 006674
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2016
TAGS: PREL EUN TU
SUBJECT: FM GUL ASKS TO MEET SECRETARY RICE IN WASHINGTON
IN FEBRUARY
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROSS WILSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
S E C R E T ANKARA 006674
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2016
TAGS: PREL EUN TU
SUBJECT: FM GUL ASKS TO MEET SECRETARY RICE IN WASHINGTON
IN FEBRUARY
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROSS WILSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (S) Turkish FM Gul,s personal assistant, Ambassador
Altay Cengizer, contacted Ambassador December 15 to advise
that FM Gul would like to visit Washington in February to
meet with Secretary Rice, other Administration officials,
members of Congress and others. He said that Gul mentioned
the possibility of a visit to the Secretary when they met
briefly in Riga. From Turkey,s point of view, this will be
a good time to consult on Iraq, Iran, the Middle East and
other subjects.
2. (S) Cengizer said that Gul will time the visit around the
Secretary's availability, but that he would like to be in
SIPDIS
Washington when Congress is in session in order to make
Turkey's case on a possible Armenian genocide resolution,
among other subjects. February seemed to make the most
sense. While early March would also be possible from Gul's
perspective, going far into that month runs up too close to
the presidential politicking that will consume Turkey's
attention soon thereafter.
3. (S) Comment: We urge an early answer and appointment
with the Secretary for Gul in February. Our collaboration
with Turkey has improved substantially in connection with
their meetings in April and July 2006, telephone
conversations and short meetings on the margins of
multilateral gatherings. While there is some speculation
here that Gul might be put forward as a presidential
candidate by PM Erdogan, we judge that possibility remote.
It should be noted that receiving him in Washington may be
viewed by some as endorsement of him in Turkey's leadership
sweepstakes if PM Erdogan moves up to become president, the
fact remains that we have needed and will continue to value
Gul's partnership and support on regional and international
issues.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2016
TAGS: PREL EUN TU
SUBJECT: FM GUL ASKS TO MEET SECRETARY RICE IN WASHINGTON
IN FEBRUARY
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROSS WILSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (S) Turkish FM Gul,s personal assistant, Ambassador
Altay Cengizer, contacted Ambassador December 15 to advise
that FM Gul would like to visit Washington in February to
meet with Secretary Rice, other Administration officials,
members of Congress and others. He said that Gul mentioned
the possibility of a visit to the Secretary when they met
briefly in Riga. From Turkey,s point of view, this will be
a good time to consult on Iraq, Iran, the Middle East and
other subjects.
2. (S) Cengizer said that Gul will time the visit around the
Secretary's availability, but that he would like to be in
SIPDIS
Washington when Congress is in session in order to make
Turkey's case on a possible Armenian genocide resolution,
among other subjects. February seemed to make the most
sense. While early March would also be possible from Gul's
perspective, going far into that month runs up too close to
the presidential politicking that will consume Turkey's
attention soon thereafter.
3. (S) Comment: We urge an early answer and appointment
with the Secretary for Gul in February. Our collaboration
with Turkey has improved substantially in connection with
their meetings in April and July 2006, telephone
conversations and short meetings on the margins of
multilateral gatherings. While there is some speculation
here that Gul might be put forward as a presidential
candidate by PM Erdogan, we judge that possibility remote.
It should be noted that receiving him in Washington may be
viewed by some as endorsement of him in Turkey's leadership
sweepstakes if PM Erdogan moves up to become president, the
fact remains that we have needed and will continue to value
Gul's partnership and support on regional and international
issues.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON