Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA658
2007-03-22 16:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY: WILL GO WITH THE EU FLOW ON ZIMBABWE, BUT
how-toVZCZCXRO2706 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHAK #0658 0811613 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 221613Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1428 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000658
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR AF/S - STEVE HILL AND EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM ZI TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: WILL GO WITH THE EU FLOW ON ZIMBABWE, BUT
NO STAND-ALONE STATEMENT
REF: A. STATE 34009
B. ANKARA 469
Classified By: Political Counselor Janice Weiner for reasons 1.4(b) and
(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000658
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR AF/S - STEVE HILL AND EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM ZI TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: WILL GO WITH THE EU FLOW ON ZIMBABWE, BUT
NO STAND-ALONE STATEMENT
REF: A. STATE 34009
B. ANKARA 469
Classified By: Political Counselor Janice Weiner for reasons 1.4(b) and
(d)
1. (C) We delivered ref a points March 19 to MFA Africa
Department Head Raif Karaca. Karaca asked for time to
discuss the issue internally and came back to us March 21.
Karaca noted that Turkey, as an EU accession candidate
country, associates itself routinely with EU statements on
Zimbabwe and would continue to do so should the EU issue a
statement concerning the situation there. Karaca said the
GOT is under no false illusions about Mugabe and realizes the
degree to which Mugabe's regime oppresses its opponents.
2. (C) However, Karaca said the GOT is not inclined at this
time to issue independently a statement condemning the
Zimbabwean government. Given Turkey's goal in securing a UN
Security Council seat in elections next year for 2009-2010
and its focus on African votes (as reported ref b),this is
disappointing but not particularly surprising. Karaca has
told us in the past Zimbabwe is one of the countries that has
already promised its vote to Turkey. Karaca added that
Turkey is not currently serving on the UN Human Rights
Council and is not actively engaged in the debate regarding
an HRC response to the situation in Zimbabwe.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
MCELDOWNEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR AF/S - STEVE HILL AND EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM ZI TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: WILL GO WITH THE EU FLOW ON ZIMBABWE, BUT
NO STAND-ALONE STATEMENT
REF: A. STATE 34009
B. ANKARA 469
Classified By: Political Counselor Janice Weiner for reasons 1.4(b) and
(d)
1. (C) We delivered ref a points March 19 to MFA Africa
Department Head Raif Karaca. Karaca asked for time to
discuss the issue internally and came back to us March 21.
Karaca noted that Turkey, as an EU accession candidate
country, associates itself routinely with EU statements on
Zimbabwe and would continue to do so should the EU issue a
statement concerning the situation there. Karaca said the
GOT is under no false illusions about Mugabe and realizes the
degree to which Mugabe's regime oppresses its opponents.
2. (C) However, Karaca said the GOT is not inclined at this
time to issue independently a statement condemning the
Zimbabwean government. Given Turkey's goal in securing a UN
Security Council seat in elections next year for 2009-2010
and its focus on African votes (as reported ref b),this is
disappointing but not particularly surprising. Karaca has
told us in the past Zimbabwe is one of the countries that has
already promised its vote to Turkey. Karaca added that
Turkey is not currently serving on the UN Human Rights
Council and is not actively engaged in the debate regarding
an HRC response to the situation in Zimbabwe.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
MCELDOWNEY