MFA: TURKEY NOT READY TO SWALLOW U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000084

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2017
TAGS: PREL TU AM
SUBJECT: MFA: TURKEY NOT READY TO SWALLOW U.S.
CONGRESSIONAL ARMENIA GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

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


1. (C) During a Jan. 12 meeting, MFA Undersecretary
(D-equivalent) Apakan told the Ambassador that the Turkish
public will react harshly if the U.S. Congress passes a
resolution asserting that the Ottoman Empire committed
genocide against Armenians during World War I. This reaction
will in turn seriously affect U.S.-Turkish relations. Apakan
believes that some U.S. officials are of the view that Turkey
is "ready to absorb" such a resolution. This is not the
case, he asserted. Such a resolution would humiliate Turkey,
he predicted, and force a negative reaction. Members of
Congress should think in strategic terms, Apakan emphasized.
The Iraq and Iran issues in particular mean that Turkey has a
special responsibility for "burden-sharing" with the West.
However, a resolution will corner the GOT, rendering it
unable to do what the U.S. expects of Turkey.


2. (C) Ambassador responded that he expects no change in U.S.
policy; the administration will oppose an Armenian resolution
in Congress. He said it will be important for GOT officials
and other interested Turks to make their views known to
Congress and other relevant people in he U.S. Ambassador
also noted that Turkey should consider taking steps that
would reflect positively on it among the key constituencies
involved in the issue. This could include approaches to the
GOAM. He reminded Apakan that our executive branch cannot
control the Congress on these issues. If such a measure were
to pass, we would need to work together to ensure U.S.-Turkey
relations stay on track, especially in dealing with the
complex regional agenda Apakan identified.

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

WILSON