TURKISH U/S APAKAN ON AGENDA FOR TALKS WITH U/S

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001915 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT. FOR P AND EUR/SE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2017 TAGS: PREL TU US SUBJECT: TURKISH U/S APAKAN ON AGENDA FOR TALKS WITH U/S BURNS, OTHERS REF: A. ANKARA 1892 ¶B. ANKARA 1859 Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: MFA U/S Apakan told Ambassador July 24 that he plans to pursue a broad agenda during his late August bilateral consultations with U/S Burns and others in Washington. Apakan expressed interest in the U.S. internal debate over Iraq and medium-long term U.S. plans and expectations there. He will also describe Ankara's thinking on Iraq generally, on relations with the Kurdistan Regional Government, and on the PKK. Other items on Apakan,s agenda include Iran; the Middle East peace process, prospects for Israeli/Syrian dialogue, and Lebanon; Afghanistan; Kosovo; Turkey-EU relations, including ESDP; and relations with Armenia and the Armenian genocide resolution. Ambassador said this will be a good opportunity to review our collaboration on the Shared Vision paper and the Action Plan that came out of our economic talks in February. Noting that late-August can be problematic for appointments in Washington, Ambassador recommended Apakan also consider meetings with EB A/S Sullivan, at the NSC, and at the Pentagon. END SUMMARY ¶2. (C) Apakan said that he looks forward to a broad review of U.S.-Turkish relations and key regional issues during his Washington visit. Iraq is at the top of his list. He asked the Ambassador describe U.S. medium-term thinking on Iraq and to clarify what a troop withdrawal from Iraq would mean in real terms. Ambassador said that the President believes strongly that U.S. forces should remain in Iraq as long as they are needed, but said he hoped Apakan would come back with a good sense of U.S. medium term thinking and planning. It will also be important for Washington to get an update on Turkey,s thinking. Ambassador noted upcoming opportunities for us on Iraq, including a possible visit by PM Maliki and a possible Expanded Neighbors of Iraq ministerial. Apakan agreed and said Turkey looks forward to working closely with us too so the ministerial is well-designed and well-planned. ¶3. (C) Apakan underlined Turkish interest in discussing the Middle East peace process and how Turkey can be supportive. He hopes to learn more about the latest U.S. ideas for an international conference, what we see as the prospects for Israeli/Syrian talks, and our thinking on Lebanon. Other topics he will want to review include Iran, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Turkey-EU relations -- especially including the controversies over ESDP and NATO support for EU military missions. He would also like to discuss prospects in Cyprus. He had just returned from a visit there to mark the anniversary of Turkey,s invasion. He reiterated disappointment over the Greek Cypriots' efforts to effect cancellation of a British-Turkish Cyprus football match, which put Talat in an awkward position regarding a meeting with G/C President Papadopoulos. Ambassador urged that this meeting go forward when the time is right. ¶4. (C) On the Armenian genocide resolution (AGR),Apakan said he plans to convey Turkish unease over the resolution,s prospects for passage in the House. He wants to make sure Ankara's position is understood in Washington. Ambassador said that will be useful, but also argued for Turkey to consider now new initiatives that could be taken up when Turkey,s parliamentary and presidential elections are finished. Normalizing relations would be a dramatic and useful step. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: Apakan's August visit will be a good opportunity to engage with the new Turkish government and prepare for higher level meetings, perhaps at UNGA and/or later in the year. End comment. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON