TURKEY REACTS MORE IN SORROW THAN ANGER TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001131 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM TU AM SUBJECT: TURKEY REACTS MORE IN SORROW THAN ANGER TO ARMENIA'S REJECTION OF OSCE OBSERVERS REF: A. YEREVAN 588 ¶B. STATE 63262 Classified By: POLCouns Janice G. Weiner for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) We discussed the Armenian government's refusal to allow a team of Turkish OSCE election observers into the country with MFA Acting Deputy Director General Suleyman Gokce on several occasions this week, most recently on May ¶10. Gokce emphasized that Turkey had good intentions in sending observers, viewing it as a small step toward rapprochement (see text of MFA statement below). He asserted that the GOT had composed the team of academics rather than officials in an effort to be less confrontational. Gokce added that his ministry took no pleasure in the GOAM's decision, and viewed it as a hurdle to overcome in MFA's endeavor to improve relations. "We are much less angry than sad," he said. Gokce expressed appreciation for U.S. support on the issue (see reftels). ¶2. (C) We also met May 11 with a member of the Turkish observer team, Mitat Celikpala, a professor at TOBB University and an expert on the Caucasus. Celikpala said he was a proponent of improving Turkey's ties with Armenia and was advising MFA in this direction. Another contact told us May 11 that Celikpala is close to True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar, and briefs him weekly on foreign policy matters. ¶3. (U) Text of MFA statement on OSCE election observers (as received): BEGIN TEXT 7 May 2007 STATEMENT OF THE SPOKESMAN OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF TURKEY IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION (Unofficial Translation) The trip to Yerevan of a Turkish election observation team comprising eight academics, who were to be deployed at the Election Observation Mission (EOM) set up by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) prior to the Armenian parliamentary elections scheduled for 12th May 2007, was cancelled just hours ahead of its departure, upon the request of the OSCE officials referring to the decision of the Armenian authorities who declined to grant entry visas to the team members. According to the information received from the OSCE officials, the Armenian authorities declined to issue entry visas to our team without giving any valid reason. As is known, in line with the established practice, the OSCE/ODIHR observers operate under the aegis of the OSCE, and represent this international organization while carrying out their tasks. Turkey's designation of an election observation team to the parliamentary elections in Armenia is an indication of the close interest and attention attributed to the democratic evolution of Armenia, as well as to the normalization of the bilateral relations. Armenia constantly criticizes Turkey for avoiding taking the necessary steps that would lead to start of a dialogue between the two countries. Bearing this in mind, it should be emphasized that such prejudiced approach towards the EOM officials, whose presence could otherwise be perceived as a confidence building measure between the two countries, and declining to grant entry visas to the observers despite their OSCE credentials, has thus constituted a most unfortunate development on the part of Armenia. This development has also shown that Armenia's introvert formation, which is being fed by suspicions, as well as its position avoiding constructive dialogue, might lead to situations that are far from meeting the expectations of her integration with the international community and developing good neighbourly relations. We therefore expect all concerned countries and international organizations that attach priority to the democratic development in Armenia, as well as to the regional peace and good-neighbourly relations; to draw appropriate conclusions and make assessments from this inexplicable decision of Armenia. END TEXT Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ ANKARA 00001131 002 OF 002 WILSON