FM GUL ASKS TO MEET SECRETARY RICE IN WASHINGTON

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