TURKEY: USD(P) EDELMAN AND A/S FRIED DISCUSS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002532

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2022
TAGS: PREL MARR TU AR AF IZ
SUBJECT: TURKEY: USD(P) EDELMAN AND A/S FRIED DISCUSS
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION WITH MFA US APAKAN


Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson for reasons 1.4 (b,d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: USD(P) Edelman and EUR A/S Fried told MFA U/S
Apakan and senior MFA officials October 13 that the
Administration regrets House Foreign Affairs Committee
passage of HR 106 and will continue to strongly oppose its
passage by the House. They urged Turkish officials to avoid
reactions that would irrevocably damage the US-Turkish
partnership. Apakan described Turkish humiliation over the
resolution and expressed concern over its impact on
Turkish-US, Turkish-Israeli and Turkish-West relations.
House passage would make it impossible for Turkey to work
with Armenia for a long time. Apakan highlighted Turkey's
proposal to establish a commission of historians that could
include third countries, such as the US. He reiterated
Turkey's readiness to move toward normalization of ties with
Yerevan but declared that Turkey will not be blackmailed into
doing so. Discussion of Iraq/the PKK is reported septel.
END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Edelman and Fried expressed gratitude for the Turks'
willingness to meet at short notice on a holiday weekend.
They explained that Secretaries Rice and Gates had asked them
to come to Ankara to express regret for the HFAC passage of
HR 106 and assure the Turkish government of the
Administration's intention to do everything possible to
prevent approval by the House. They described in detail the
efforts of Administration officials before the HFAC vote from
the President on down. Even senior military officers got
involved -- not the usual practice but indicative of the
importance we attach to this matter.


3. (C) Edelman and Fried acknowledged that the Turkish public
and government would have to react to HR 106 passage in the
House. They asked that Turkey bear in mind the longstanding
importance of our strategic partnership and its relevance
today in the face of numerous common challenges in the
region. It will be crucial, if HR 106 passes, to carefully
manage the impact on our relationship so as not to jeopardize
our ability to work together. Secretaries Rice and Gates
remain deeply committed to the bilateral relationship.


4. (C) Apakan, accompanied by a large group of senior MFA
officials -- including D/US for Security Akgunay, Americas
D/US Berk, Caucasus D/US Cevikoz, spokesman Levent Bilman,
and FM Babacan aide Murat Esenli -- expressed his
appreciation for the visit of the US delegation and the
efforts of the US Administration to oppose HR 106. He stated
that "we share your sentiments and will continue to care for,
and be careful of, our bilateral relations." He said that
Turkey is "hurt and humiliated" by the resolution. A major
Turkish fear is that passage of HR 106 would encourage others
to adopt similar resolutions and laws. Turkey understands
that there is an effort underway to revive legislation passed
last year in the French National Assembly to criminalize
denial of an Armenian genocide. The Russian Duma may be
about to consider a similar bill. The resolution threatens to
re-open World War I-era claims settled by the Lausanne
Treaty, including by Pontian Greeks, Bulgarians, and
Assyrians.


5. (C) Describing Turkey-US-Israel relations as a key
"triangle" essential for regional security, Apakan stated
that passage of HR 106 would affect Turkey-Israel relations.
Israel had sought to be helpful in opposing the resolution,
but those efforts had been insufficient. Despite its
geographical location, Apakan said, Turkey is clearly
oriented to the West and this constitutes a major factor for
regional stability, allowing Turkey to play a positive role
in the Middle East peace process, moderate Syrian behavior,
and pressure Iran to act responsibly. Turkey's whole foreign
policy depends upon a strategic relationship with the US and
progress toward EU membership. The AGR and PKK are alien
issues that do great damage to these agendas.


6. (C) Apakan warned that passage of an Armenian Genocide
Resolution would "close the door" to Turkey's attempts to
maintain a dialogue with Armenia. He referred to three
rounds of recent senior-level talks with Armenia. Turkey
proposed a fourth round of meetings a couple of months ago,
but Armenia has not responded. Turkey had signaled its

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readiness to move toward a normalization of ties. Instead,
Yerevan has drawn closer to the Armenian diaspora. In this
climate, the result of HR 106's passage will be that Armenia
becomes a permanent burr and divider in US-Turkish relations;
the resolution won't be a one-time crisis, but one that goes
on and on.


7. (C) Finally, Apakan noted Prime Minister Erdogan's recent
public statements on the Armenian genocide issue and stated
that their increasingly critical nature reflects growing
negative public sentiment. He noted the Turkish-American
Business Council's decision to postpone a working meeting
planned for the week of October 15 in the U.S. The MFA had
not arranged this cancellation; it, too, reflects public
sentiment. He appealed for strong and successful
Administration efforts, including a "creative political
solution," to stop HR 106.


8. (C) Apakan confirmed that the Turkish offer of a joint
historical commission remains on the table. Turkey welcomes
third-country participation in such a commission, including
by American and even pro-Armenian historians. A country
Apakan declined to identify had recently proposed a
trilateral historians commission and process of
accommodation. Armenia had expressed interest, but did
nothing. Apakan warned however, that if the US Congress
establishes an Armenian genocide as a "political fact," then
there would be no logic to pursuing the commission idea or
other efforts at normalization of ties with Armenia.


9. (C) Apakan also suggested possible referral of the issue
to the International Court of Justice or to arbitration in
The Hague. A/S Fried asked if Turkey would be willing to
refer, together with Armenia, its dispute over genocide to an
international tribunal if Armenia agrees to request a delay
of HR 106. Apakan and his colleagues opined that Armenia is
not interested in such a compromise. Apakan added that the
GOA is rejoicing over the HFAC vote and is now using the
prospect of House passage of HR 106 to "blackmail" Turkey
into unilaterally normalizing relations and opening the
Turkish-Armenian border. Turkey cannot accept this.


10. (C) Apakan concluded by warning that House passage of HR
106 would have long-range implications and would not be a
"one-time affair." He urged US officials to prevent its
passage. Edelman and Fried undertook to brief Secretaries
Rice and Gates on Turkish views and continue to look for
solutions. The Administration will continue to strongly
oppose House passage of HR 106. Both implored Turkish
officials to bear in mind the importance of the bilateral
relationship, historically and with regard to the formidable
challenges we must face together now, and urged them not to
take measures that would irreversibly damage relations.


11. (U) USD(P) Edelman and A/S Fried did not have an
opportunity to review this cable.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/

WILSON