TURKISH FM BABACAN ON RELATIONS WITH YEREVAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002752

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/08/2017
TAGS: PREL AM TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH FM BABACAN ON RELATIONS WITH YEREVAN


Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROSS WILSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (c) Ambassador used a meeting late November 8 with
Turkish FM Babacan on other subjects to update him on House
Resolution 106 (the "Armenian genocide resolution"). Many
with whom he spoke during consultations in Washington
following PM Erdogan's White House meeting November 5
believed it very unlikely the resolution will return to
active consideration before the end of 2007. Several
anti-resolution members of Congress had advised that they do
not expect any further efforts to secure passage before the
next Congress ) i.e., in 2009. One resolution sponsor who
nevertheless opposed it in October had spoken about trying to
move a text that referred only indirectly to "genocide," but
it was not clear how much support this might have.


2. (c) While the resolution can be brought back at any time,
Ambassador opined that this seems unlikely soon. That
provides a window of opportunity for Turkey to take steps
that may change the politics of a measure that most believe
will eventually prove unstoppable. Repeating observations
made previously to other Turkish officials, he urged action
to normalize diplomatic ties, ease the border closure, and
amend Turkish Penal Code Article 301 that criminalizes
"insulting Turkishness" and which has been used against
citizens here who contract the mainstream view against
genocide. Such initiatives would change politics surrounding
the genocide resolution and give Turkey new influence toward
an Armenian-Azerbaijan settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh and on
behalf of stability in the Caucasus generally.


3. (c) Babacan expressed great appreciation for the
Administration's efforts to prevent House passage of the
Armenia resolution. Turkish authorities knew how difficult
this had been, including personally and politically for many
members of Congress. They would be reaching out in coming
days to thank those who supported Turkey and US-Turkish
relations.


4. (c) Babacan said he had proposed that Armenia and Turkey
work toward the normalization of relations and to establish
an historians' commission to examine the "events of 1915"
when he met with Armenian FM Oskanian in New York in October.
Babacan said this remains Ankara's policy. He understood
the window for an initiative to have impact in the US may not
be open long. Turkey will come back to this once the furor
here over the resolution dies down; if it hasn't happened
sooner, the Armenian presidential election in March could be
a catalyst for efforts with the next government. Babacan
urged continued US encouragement of Armenia to respond in
kind.

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

WILSON