Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA495
2007-03-05 16:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY CRITICAL OF FRENCH DEFENSE AGREEMENT WITH
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAK #0495 0641603 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 051603Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1214 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// PRIORITY RUEHTH/USDAO ATHENS GR PRIORITY RUEHAK/USDAO ANKARA TU PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 5530
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000495
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE ILAN GOODMAN, ISN/WMD THOMAS LEHRMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS GR TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY CRITICAL OF FRENCH DEFENSE AGREEMENT WITH
CYPRUS
Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor Carl Siebentritt, reasons 1.4 (b/d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000495
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE ILAN GOODMAN, ISN/WMD THOMAS LEHRMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS GR TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY CRITICAL OF FRENCH DEFENSE AGREEMENT WITH
CYPRUS
Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor Carl Siebentritt, reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1.(U) The MFA reacted to reports that France and Cyprus have
concluded a defense cooperation agreement by issuing the
following statement on March 1. Informal Embassy translation
follows.
Begin text:
We have been informed that a Defense Cooperation Agreement
has been signed between France and the Greek Cypriot
Administration of Southern Cyprus.
Following the publication of the news in the Greek Cypriot
press regarding this issue last July, in our demarches with
the French authorities, we drew attention to the fact that
such an agreement would be against the 1960 Treaties; would
constitute a threat to the stability of in the Eastern
Mediterranean; and would also adversely affect efforts for a
comprehensive settlement under the UN. In this context, we
asked the French authorities to refrain from taking such a
step which is closely related to Turkey's rights and
interests.
Turkey would like to emphasize once again the following:
-- The fragile balance established by the 1960 Treaties in
the Island of Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean is
safeguarded by the rights of the Guarantor countries.
-- The said Defense Cooperation Agreement is against the
1960 Treaties on Cyprus.
-- Signing of a bilateral military agreement between France
and the Greek Cypriot Administration is a cause of concern.
-- Moreover, this agreement runs counter to the framework
and parameters of a settlement under the UN.
-- This agreement will further reinforce the intransigent
attitude of the Greek Cypriot side and therefore will
seriously damage efforts for a comprehensive settlement.
-- The said agreement is null and void both for Turkey and
the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
-- The Greek Cypriot Administration, which seeks to expand
the Cyprus problem to the Eastern Mediterranean by its recent
attitude and actions, continues to be a source of instability
in the region.
End text.
2. (C) Comment: Turkish criticism comes at a low point in
Turkish-French bilateral security relations following the
passage of legislation in the French Assembly criminalizing
denial of an Armenian genocide. The Turkish government has
recently revoked France's blanket overflight clearance for
Operation Enduring Freedom. The director of the French
equivalent of the Office of Defense Cooperation at the French
Embassy recently told us that he is closing his office in
Ankara and does not expect to be replaced. French diplomats
tell us the few government meetings they are granted come
only after persistent requests. End Comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE ILAN GOODMAN, ISN/WMD THOMAS LEHRMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS GR TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY CRITICAL OF FRENCH DEFENSE AGREEMENT WITH
CYPRUS
Classified By: Pol-Mil Counselor Carl Siebentritt, reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1.(U) The MFA reacted to reports that France and Cyprus have
concluded a defense cooperation agreement by issuing the
following statement on March 1. Informal Embassy translation
follows.
Begin text:
We have been informed that a Defense Cooperation Agreement
has been signed between France and the Greek Cypriot
Administration of Southern Cyprus.
Following the publication of the news in the Greek Cypriot
press regarding this issue last July, in our demarches with
the French authorities, we drew attention to the fact that
such an agreement would be against the 1960 Treaties; would
constitute a threat to the stability of in the Eastern
Mediterranean; and would also adversely affect efforts for a
comprehensive settlement under the UN. In this context, we
asked the French authorities to refrain from taking such a
step which is closely related to Turkey's rights and
interests.
Turkey would like to emphasize once again the following:
-- The fragile balance established by the 1960 Treaties in
the Island of Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean is
safeguarded by the rights of the Guarantor countries.
-- The said Defense Cooperation Agreement is against the
1960 Treaties on Cyprus.
-- Signing of a bilateral military agreement between France
and the Greek Cypriot Administration is a cause of concern.
-- Moreover, this agreement runs counter to the framework
and parameters of a settlement under the UN.
-- This agreement will further reinforce the intransigent
attitude of the Greek Cypriot side and therefore will
seriously damage efforts for a comprehensive settlement.
-- The said agreement is null and void both for Turkey and
the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
-- The Greek Cypriot Administration, which seeks to expand
the Cyprus problem to the Eastern Mediterranean by its recent
attitude and actions, continues to be a source of instability
in the region.
End text.
2. (C) Comment: Turkish criticism comes at a low point in
Turkish-French bilateral security relations following the
passage of legislation in the French Assembly criminalizing
denial of an Armenian genocide. The Turkish government has
recently revoked France's blanket overflight clearance for
Operation Enduring Freedom. The director of the French
equivalent of the Office of Defense Cooperation at the French
Embassy recently told us that he is closing his office in
Ankara and does not expect to be replaced. French diplomats
tell us the few government meetings they are granted come
only after persistent requests. End Comment.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON