CONSUL GENERAL'S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON ISTANBUL

UNCLAS ISTANBUL 000779 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PTER PHUM TU SUBJECT: CONSUL GENERAL'S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON ISTANBUL GOVERNOR REF: A. ISTANBUL 0556 ¶B. ANKARA 2145 ¶C. ANKARA 1876 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler stressed the importance of US cooperation in combating PKK terrorism during a cordial introductory meeting with the incoming Consul General. Guler offered his continued full support to the Consulate General, including and especially with respect to security issues and for assistance with responding to inquiries associated with USG interests. The Governor and Consul General also discussed Turkey's economic growth, EU accession and Turkey's presidential elections, among other issues. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Consul General presented her credentials to Governor Guler during an August 20 introductory call that was cordial and included surprisingly more substance than such occasions would normally engender. Consul General expressed her appreciation for the Governor's good cooperation with the Consulate General, in particular with respect to security and to support for USG visitors. Guler responded he had enjoyed good relations with the two previous Consuls General and would continue to give his full support. ¶3. (SBU) Emphasizing the strategic nature of US-Turkey relations, Guler underscored the important role Turkey plays in the region as a secular and democratic state among Islamic countries. He stressed the importance of cooperating in the Middle East in order to contain the spread of nuclear weapons and combat international terrorism, which he said was the most important issue affecting the relationship. Turkey is concerned about terrorism originating in northern Iraq and the Turkish people's highest expectation is for a show of determination in the fight against the PKK, the Governor warned. Iraq, he added, must continue to be administered by a centralized government. Consul General assured the Governor that the United States views the PKK as a terrorist organization and is doing everything it can to ensure it does not represent a threat to Turkey. The United States understands more needs to be done, she acknowledged, while stressing that the USG shares Turkey's interests in a unified Iraq. ¶4. (SBU) Though Turkey had sustained a high economic growth rate over the last few years, Guler admitted that in order to create jobs, foreign direct investment needs to be channeled to production rather than just financial sectors as has been the case. EU accession was critical for Turkey, he argued, and European countries should not delay the process. Consul General reiterated USG support for Turkey's EU accession while recognizing the central role Turkey plays in issues spanning across Europe and the Middle East. ¶5. (SBU) Reaffirming US interests in the concerns of Turkey's religious minority communities, Consul General thanked the Governor for his cooperation in responding to associated inquiries. She informed him that we had received a different type of inquiry recently concerning frozen Amnesty International funds (ref A),and noted that Consulate General staff would follow up this issue with the Governorship. Guler agreed, stressing that he and his staff would be willing to answer any question on any subject. ¶6. (SBU) With the first round of Turkey's presidential vote in parliament scheduled later that day, Guler spoke candidly about FM Abdullah Gul who was widely expected to be elected in the third round on August 28 (ref B). Observing that Gul knows foreign policy very well, the Governor proffered that he would be a very active president who would ring in a new era in international relations for Turkey, thus diminishing the burden currently placed on PM Erdogan. Guler maintained that democratic forces (presumably the Justice and Development party's resounding success in the July 22 parliamentary elections -- ref C) compelled Gul to pursue the presidency. He further remarked that FM Gul's presidential candidacy had received positive reactions from Europe and the US. Consul General responded that the US position on the elections was one of support for Turkey's democratic institutions. WIENER