Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA2085
2007-08-14 15:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY VIEWS KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE AS INEVITABLE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002085
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2017
TAGS: EU PGOV PREL KV YI UN
SUBJECT: TURKEY VIEWS KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE AS INEVITABLE
REF: A. STATE 109526
B. ANKARA 1938
C. STATE 102187
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Kelly Degnan for Reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002085
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2017
TAGS: EU PGOV PREL KV YI UN
SUBJECT: TURKEY VIEWS KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE AS INEVITABLE
REF: A. STATE 109526
B. ANKARA 1938
C. STATE 102187
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Kelly Degnan for Reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
1. (C) We delivered REF A points to MFA Deputy Director
General for the Balkans and Western Europe Hasan Asan. Asan
reiterated that Turkey remains committed to resolving
Kosovo's final status and acknowledged that Kosovo
independence is inevitable. Furthermore, Turkey strongly
supports the principles behind the Ahtissari plan as the
foundation for contniued Contact Group negotiations. Asan
assured us that GOT policy on Kosovo closely parallels that
of the U.S. and EU. However, recent Russian behavior in the
UNSC and the discussion of Kosovo independence outside a
UNSCR has left Turkey hesitant to get politically ahead of
the U.S. and EU (REF B).
2. (C) Asan said the GOT has utilized every opportunity to
engage Pristina and Belgrade on this issue. During several
meetings with Kosovo PM Ceku, Asan reported that PM Erdogan
has repeatedly advocated patience and faith in the UN
process. Ceku assured Erdogan that the Kosovars would not
consider pushing for independence until after Flag Day,
November 28. Asan warned that comments regarding
partitioning, like those made by EU Representative to the
Troika German Ambassador Wolfgang Ichinger in Pristina, would
further exacerbate an already tenuous situation.
3. (C) Should Kosovo unilaterally declare independence,
Turkey will not be one of the first countries to extend
formal support. Nevertheless, Asan and other officials have
assured us that, once the lead nations have taken the brunt
of the backlash from Serbia and Russia, the GOT will
inevitably extend full diplomatic recognition. Domestically,
GOT support for Kosovo's independence cuts across party
lines. The several million Turks of Albanian descent
constitute a sizable voting bloc that every party, including
the ruling AKP, readily acknowledges. The political will
exists to support Kosovo independence, but political resolve
to face the repercussions of a leadership role remains weak.
Asan emphasized the importance of a unified EU position in
Turkey's decision making rubric. Should the EU as a whole
join the U.S. and UK in supporting a unilateral declaration
of independence, Turkey will rapidly follow.
4. (C) Turkey is an active participant in the NATO-led
Kosovo Force and will remain so after independence,
regardless of the means. Asan reiterated Turkey's desire to
play a key role in any post-independence international
civilian oversight body, construct or lead agency
notwithstanding. Turkey has productively participated in
similar institutions in Bosnia and believes it could make a
useful contribution in Kosovo as well.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
MCELDOWNEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2017
TAGS: EU PGOV PREL KV YI UN
SUBJECT: TURKEY VIEWS KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE AS INEVITABLE
REF: A. STATE 109526
B. ANKARA 1938
C. STATE 102187
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Kelly Degnan for Reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
1. (C) We delivered REF A points to MFA Deputy Director
General for the Balkans and Western Europe Hasan Asan. Asan
reiterated that Turkey remains committed to resolving
Kosovo's final status and acknowledged that Kosovo
independence is inevitable. Furthermore, Turkey strongly
supports the principles behind the Ahtissari plan as the
foundation for contniued Contact Group negotiations. Asan
assured us that GOT policy on Kosovo closely parallels that
of the U.S. and EU. However, recent Russian behavior in the
UNSC and the discussion of Kosovo independence outside a
UNSCR has left Turkey hesitant to get politically ahead of
the U.S. and EU (REF B).
2. (C) Asan said the GOT has utilized every opportunity to
engage Pristina and Belgrade on this issue. During several
meetings with Kosovo PM Ceku, Asan reported that PM Erdogan
has repeatedly advocated patience and faith in the UN
process. Ceku assured Erdogan that the Kosovars would not
consider pushing for independence until after Flag Day,
November 28. Asan warned that comments regarding
partitioning, like those made by EU Representative to the
Troika German Ambassador Wolfgang Ichinger in Pristina, would
further exacerbate an already tenuous situation.
3. (C) Should Kosovo unilaterally declare independence,
Turkey will not be one of the first countries to extend
formal support. Nevertheless, Asan and other officials have
assured us that, once the lead nations have taken the brunt
of the backlash from Serbia and Russia, the GOT will
inevitably extend full diplomatic recognition. Domestically,
GOT support for Kosovo's independence cuts across party
lines. The several million Turks of Albanian descent
constitute a sizable voting bloc that every party, including
the ruling AKP, readily acknowledges. The political will
exists to support Kosovo independence, but political resolve
to face the repercussions of a leadership role remains weak.
Asan emphasized the importance of a unified EU position in
Turkey's decision making rubric. Should the EU as a whole
join the U.S. and UK in supporting a unilateral declaration
of independence, Turkey will rapidly follow.
4. (C) Turkey is an active participant in the NATO-led
Kosovo Force and will remain so after independence,
regardless of the means. Asan reiterated Turkey's desire to
play a key role in any post-independence international
civilian oversight body, construct or lead agency
notwithstanding. Turkey has productively participated in
similar institutions in Bosnia and believes it could make a
useful contribution in Kosovo as well.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
MCELDOWNEY