Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA383
2007-02-22 14:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
SCENESETTER FOR CENTRAL ASIA CONSULTATIONS IN
how-toVZCZCXRO2365 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHAK #0383/01 0531446 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 221446Z FEB 07 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1053 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY 1923 RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU PRIORITY 1467 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY 0352 RUEHDB/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0027 RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT PRIORITY 0752
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000383
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2022
TAGS: PREL PGOV TU
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR CENTRAL ASIA CONSULTATIONS IN
TURKEY
REF: A. ISTANBUL 106
B. 06 ANKARA 6733
ANKARA 00000383 001.4 OF 003
Classified by DCM Nancy McEldowney for Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000383
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2022
TAGS: PREL PGOV TU
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR CENTRAL ASIA CONSULTATIONS IN
TURKEY
REF: A. ISTANBUL 106
B. 06 ANKARA 6733
ANKARA 00000383 001.4 OF 003
Classified by DCM Nancy McEldowney for Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) Introduction: The U.S.-Turkey bilateral relationship
is in a critical phase as the government grapples with
continued PKK terrorist attacks from northern Iraq, fears
that Iraq's instability will spread beyond its borders, the
aftermath of the Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink
murder, a potential U.S. congressional resolution on Armenian
genocide, and how to find a balance between international and
domestic priorities on Iran. All this comes against the
backdrop of an important election year here in Turkey. Turks
in and out of government predict that a genocide resolution
will severely damage our bilateral relations and feed the
flames of nationalist sentiment on the eve of elections.
2. (C) Secretary Rice and FM Gul agreed to the Strategic
Vision document in July 2006, which provides for several
tracks of structured dialogue, including expert-level talks,
policy planning consultations, broad-based dialogue and
high-level review. Assistant Secretary Boucher's June 2006
visit was one of the first in this framework. U/S Burns held
consuation and integration into the international community,
democratization, education and counter-narcotics. Turkey
follows the EU lead on human rights issues and advocates --
quietly -- gradual transition to democracy by emphasizing
economic development. Turkish officials, particularly the
military, worry that radical Islam is a growing negative
influence. MFA Under Secretary Apakan told U/S Burns in
January that Turkey wants to strengthen NATO's engagement in
Central Asia as well.
4. (SBU) Post-independence, Turkey was the first to provide
substantial economic and development assistance to the
region. Turkey-Central Asia trade, credits, assistance, and
investment have all grown steadily. According to the GOT,
more than 1000 Turkish firms operate in the region in the
energy, telecom, textile, food, and tourist sectors, with
investments of over $3.5 billion. No one Central Asian
country makes Turkey's trading partner top twenty list, but
the Turkic Republics (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan,
Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan) collectively constitute a
growing $2.7 billion two-way trade and Turkish trade with the
region far excego eta sa ras twice successfully led the International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, most
recently from February to August 2005. This month Turkey
took command of ISAF-Central in Kabul in a rotation with
France and Italy. Last November, it opened its first
Provincial Reconstruction Team in Wardak province. Following
PM Erdogan's visit in November 2005, it increased its pledged
assistance to $100 milte years, with money
all
29-February 2. The course brought together Afghan and
Turkish officials to enhance cross-border cooperation against
key international drug production and trafficking networks
and enhanced technical skills for units from both countries.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
ANKARA 00000383 002.4 OF 003
--------------
Turkmenistan
--------------
6. (C) The GOT shares the U.S. view that Niyazov's death
presents an opening but is cautious about how to approach the
transition. The Turks believe that urging rapid change too
fast or too publicly risks playing into the hands of the
Russians. Prime Minister Erdogan attended President
Berdimuhammedov's inauguration last week and led a 200-person
strong delegation to Niyazov's funeral in December (ref b).
7. (SBU) Energy-rich Turkmenistan has attracted Turkish
investment. Turkey has called for revitalizing the
Trans-Caspian-Pipeline (TCP) for gas from Turkmenistan and
hopes that reconciliation between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan
will in time result in its revival. The earlier TCP project
failed in 2001, although Turkey and Turkmenistan still signed
a fruitless take-or-pay gas import contract. Turkish Calik
Holding has been an active investor in the textile, energy,
and construction sectors in Turkmenistan. Its owner, Ahmet
Calik, has close ties to many in the current Turkmen
government (ref a). About 10 percent of Turkmenistan's GDP
is generated by Turkish firms. Turkey exports machinery,
iron, and steel to Turkmenistan and imptana is being done by Turkish firms.
Turkey provides military equipment, education and training to
personnel involving $6.8 million in assistance from 1998 to
2005 (the most recent figure).
--------------
Kyrgyzstan
--------------
9. (SBU) Along with trade and cultural exchanges, Turkish
relations with Kyrgystan are particularly active in the field
of education. The two countries inaugurated the joint
Turkish-Kyrgyz Manas University in 1997. Turkey recently
increased its military assistance by signing an agreement in
January for about $800,000 worth of equipment for the Kyrgyz
National Guard and border outposts.
--------------
Uzbekistan
--------------
10. (SBU) Turkey perceives that preventing and eliminating
threats like extremism, terrorism, and drug smuggling that
Uzbekistan faces are main topics in bilateral discussions.
Turkey's relationship with Uzbekistan has historically and
more recently been difficult. Most recently, Uzbekistan
boycotted the November 2006 Turkic summit in Antalya, Turkey
because of Turkish support for the UNGA resolution condemning
Uzbekistan's human rights record. Turkey is Uzbekistan's
primary trade partner, but the trade volume is of modest
proportions.
--------------
Tajikistan
--------------
11. (SBU) Turkey's relations with Tajikistan have developed
more slowly because of internal conflict, lack of proximity,
fewer energy resources, and a largely FARSI speaking
population. Its trade relations are proportionally less
ANKARA 00000383 003.4 OF 003
12. (SBU) Turkey has twice successfully led the International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, most
recently from February to August 2005. This month Turkey
took command of ISAF-Central in Kabul in a rotation with
France and Italy. Last November, it opened its first
Provincial Reconstruction Team in Wardak province. Following
PM Erdogan's visit in November 2005, it increased its pledged
assistance to $100 milt organiQics trQebruary 2. The course brought together Afghan and
Turkish officials to enhance cross-border cooperation against
key international drug production and trafficking networks
and enhanced technical skills for units from both countries.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2022
TAGS: PREL PGOV TU
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR CENTRAL ASIA CONSULTATIONS IN
TURKEY
REF: A. ISTANBUL 106
B. 06 ANKARA 6733
ANKARA 00000383 001.4 OF 003
Classified by DCM Nancy McEldowney for Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) Introduction: The U.S.-Turkey bilateral relationship
is in a critical phase as the government grapples with
continued PKK terrorist attacks from northern Iraq, fears
that Iraq's instability will spread beyond its borders, the
aftermath of the Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink
murder, a potential U.S. congressional resolution on Armenian
genocide, and how to find a balance between international and
domestic priorities on Iran. All this comes against the
backdrop of an important election year here in Turkey. Turks
in and out of government predict that a genocide resolution
will severely damage our bilateral relations and feed the
flames of nationalist sentiment on the eve of elections.
2. (C) Secretary Rice and FM Gul agreed to the Strategic
Vision document in July 2006, which provides for several
tracks of structured dialogue, including expert-level talks,
policy planning consultations, broad-based dialogue and
high-level review. Assistant Secretary Boucher's June 2006
visit was one of the first in this framework. U/S Burns held
consuation and integration into the international community,
democratization, education and counter-narcotics. Turkey
follows the EU lead on human rights issues and advocates --
quietly -- gradual transition to democracy by emphasizing
economic development. Turkish officials, particularly the
military, worry that radical Islam is a growing negative
influence. MFA Under Secretary Apakan told U/S Burns in
January that Turkey wants to strengthen NATO's engagement in
Central Asia as well.
4. (SBU) Post-independence, Turkey was the first to provide
substantial economic and development assistance to the
region. Turkey-Central Asia trade, credits, assistance, and
investment have all grown steadily. According to the GOT,
more than 1000 Turkish firms operate in the region in the
energy, telecom, textile, food, and tourist sectors, with
investments of over $3.5 billion. No one Central Asian
country makes Turkey's trading partner top twenty list, but
the Turkic Republics (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan,
Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan) collectively constitute a
growing $2.7 billion two-way trade and Turkish trade with the
region far excego eta sa ras twice successfully led the International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, most
recently from February to August 2005. This month Turkey
took command of ISAF-Central in Kabul in a rotation with
France and Italy. Last November, it opened its first
Provincial Reconstruction Team in Wardak province. Following
PM Erdogan's visit in November 2005, it increased its pledged
assistance to $100 milte years, with money
all
29-February 2. The course brought together Afghan and
Turkish officials to enhance cross-border cooperation against
key international drug production and trafficking networks
and enhanced technical skills for units from both countries.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
ANKARA 00000383 002.4 OF 003
--------------
Turkmenistan
--------------
6. (C) The GOT shares the U.S. view that Niyazov's death
presents an opening but is cautious about how to approach the
transition. The Turks believe that urging rapid change too
fast or too publicly risks playing into the hands of the
Russians. Prime Minister Erdogan attended President
Berdimuhammedov's inauguration last week and led a 200-person
strong delegation to Niyazov's funeral in December (ref b).
7. (SBU) Energy-rich Turkmenistan has attracted Turkish
investment. Turkey has called for revitalizing the
Trans-Caspian-Pipeline (TCP) for gas from Turkmenistan and
hopes that reconciliation between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan
will in time result in its revival. The earlier TCP project
failed in 2001, although Turkey and Turkmenistan still signed
a fruitless take-or-pay gas import contract. Turkish Calik
Holding has been an active investor in the textile, energy,
and construction sectors in Turkmenistan. Its owner, Ahmet
Calik, has close ties to many in the current Turkmen
government (ref a). About 10 percent of Turkmenistan's GDP
is generated by Turkish firms. Turkey exports machinery,
iron, and steel to Turkmenistan and imptana is being done by Turkish firms.
Turkey provides military equipment, education and training to
personnel involving $6.8 million in assistance from 1998 to
2005 (the most recent figure).
--------------
Kyrgyzstan
--------------
9. (SBU) Along with trade and cultural exchanges, Turkish
relations with Kyrgystan are particularly active in the field
of education. The two countries inaugurated the joint
Turkish-Kyrgyz Manas University in 1997. Turkey recently
increased its military assistance by signing an agreement in
January for about $800,000 worth of equipment for the Kyrgyz
National Guard and border outposts.
--------------
Uzbekistan
--------------
10. (SBU) Turkey perceives that preventing and eliminating
threats like extremism, terrorism, and drug smuggling that
Uzbekistan faces are main topics in bilateral discussions.
Turkey's relationship with Uzbekistan has historically and
more recently been difficult. Most recently, Uzbekistan
boycotted the November 2006 Turkic summit in Antalya, Turkey
because of Turkish support for the UNGA resolution condemning
Uzbekistan's human rights record. Turkey is Uzbekistan's
primary trade partner, but the trade volume is of modest
proportions.
--------------
Tajikistan
--------------
11. (SBU) Turkey's relations with Tajikistan have developed
more slowly because of internal conflict, lack of proximity,
fewer energy resources, and a largely FARSI speaking
population. Its trade relations are proportionally less
ANKARA 00000383 003.4 OF 003
12. (SBU) Turkey has twice successfully led the International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, most
recently from February to August 2005. This month Turkey
took command of ISAF-Central in Kabul in a rotation with
France and Italy. Last November, it opened its first
Provincial Reconstruction Team in Wardak province. Following
PM Erdogan's visit in November 2005, it increased its pledged
assistance to $100 milt organiQics trQebruary 2. The course brought together Afghan and
Turkish officials to enhance cross-border cooperation against
key international drug production and trafficking networks
and enhanced technical skills for units from both countries.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON