ACTION REQUEST: U.S. DEFENSE ARTICLES IN CYPRUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001531 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2017 TAGS: PARM PREL CY GR TU SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: U.S. DEFENSE ARTICLES IN CYPRUS REF: A. ATHENS 1058 ¶B. STATE 35756 Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (U) Action Request. See Para 5. ¶2. (C) During a June 14 meeting with EUR DAS Matt Bryza on broader Cyprus issues (reported septel),MFA Deputy Under Secretary for Northeast Mediterranean and Americas Haydar SIPDIS Berk reiterated GOT concerns about perceived USG non-enforcement of the Arms Export Control Act with regard to U.S.-origin defense articles in the southern part of Cyprus. ¶3. (C) DAS Bryza responded that the USG takes its responsibilities to enforce U.S. law in this matter seriously and has been negotiating with the Government of Greece to ensure that it is in compliance with AECA requirements. Bryza noted that a deal under discussion with the GOG would ensure that U.S.-origin military equipment in the southern portion of Cyprus are kept in facilities under exclusive Greek command and control. ¶4. (C) Berk was taken aback by that, noting that the U.S. had insisted that U.S.-origin equipment in the possession of Turkish forces on the island be removed from Cyprus altogether. If the deal with Greece is as stated, Berk wondered whether he could tell the Turkish General Staff (TGS) that Turkish forces could move the equipment previously removed from Cyprus back onto the island, provided they remain under Turkey's control. Bryza promised to get back to GOT officials on the issue, noting that he did not have all of the specific details on hand regarding the articles in the possession of Greek forces on the island, such as whether they were provided pursuant to agreements entered into prior to or after December 1987. ¶5. (C) Action Request: Post requests Department guidance on how to respond to GOT officials' queries regarding the status of U.S.-origin defense articles on Cyprus. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON