Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07NICOSIA127
2007-02-13 15:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nicosia
Cable title:
CYPRUS SKITTISH OVER POSSIBLE TURKISH ROLE IN
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NICOSIA 000127
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR DAS MATTHEW BRYZA, EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2012
TAGS: PREL PARM UNIFIL CY LE TU
SUBJECT: CYPRUS SKITTISH OVER POSSIBLE TURKISH ROLE IN
UNIFIL
REF: NICOSIA-EUR/SE EMAIL OF 2/9/07
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald L. Schlicher for Reasons 1.5 (b)
and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NICOSIA 000127
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR DAS MATTHEW BRYZA, EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2012
TAGS: PREL PARM UNIFIL CY LE TU
SUBJECT: CYPRUS SKITTISH OVER POSSIBLE TURKISH ROLE IN
UNIFIL
REF: NICOSIA-EUR/SE EMAIL OF 2/9/07
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald L. Schlicher for Reasons 1.5 (b)
and (d).
1. (C) Summary and Action Request: The MFA summoned DCM
February 12 to voice "serious concerns" over reports from UN
DPKO that Turkey sought to take over Germany's leadership of
UNIFIL naval operations. Post appreciates Department
information on Turkey's possible role in UNIFIL naval
operations and guidance on responding to the ROC's concerns.
End Summary.
2. (C) MFA Political Director (and former Ambassador to the
United States) Euripides Evriviades summoned DCM February 12
concerning information from the UN's Department of
Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) that Germany may relinquish
command of UN Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) naval operations and
that Turkey -- with a list of caveats -- had reportedly
volunteered to take over Germany's role. Though not a formal
demarche, Evriviades was "under instructions from the Foreign
Minister to approach P5 missions" about the "unacceptability"
of Turkey taking over command from Germany. Evriviades
stated that the ROC PermRep in New York would also contact
USUN (if he had not already) to pass the same message.
3. (C) The UNIFIL naval component included Germany,
Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, Evriviades noted,
and Cyprus had Status of Forces agreements with each.
Bilateral cooperation with Germany had been excellent
throughout the Lebanon operation. Evriviades listed several
problems with a Turkey-led UNIFIL naval component, many
related to the Cyprus issue but some due to Turkey's
operational caveats. Supporting ground operations in south
Lebanon from distant (six hours away) Adana was one.
Similarly, should another non-combatant evacuation become
necessary, Adana's distance from the Lebanese coast was
problematic. On the other hand, Cyprus's location "was
crucial for an effective UNSCR 1701," allowing UNIFIL naval
assets to intercept and later inspect ships suspected of
arming Hizbollah.
4. (C) Evriviades claimed that Turkey, in its offer to UN
DPKO, continued to flagrantly disregard international law --
that is, UNSCRs on the Cyprus Problem -- and supposedly
stated to UN DPKO that it would "use any place convenient" to
conduct its UNIFIL operations, including Famagusta port and
Ercan airport in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots.
Using ports in the north would violate International Maritime
Organization (IMO) regulations, he warned. Turkey would also
ignore Flight Information Region (FIR) rules in violation of
Cypriot air control responsibilities, Evriviades charged, and
possibly use "illegal" Ercan Airport in violation of
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations.
Last, in its offer to UN DPKO, Turkey apparently excluded
use of Greek Cypriot-contolled ports and airports and
reiterated its non-recognition of ROC-flagged vessels or even
ships related to Cypriot interests, irrespective of their
potential use in UNIFIL support ops.
5. (C) Evriviades expressed hope that Germany would continue
in its current UNIFIL role. He had made this pitch to German
Ambassador Rolf Kaiser, who committed to obtaining Berlin's
guidance but had not yet responded with his government's
answer. (NOTE: In a February 13 call to German DCM Joachim
Haidorn, the Embassy learned that the German government
viewed with great concern Turkey's efforts to win the UNIFIL
naval command. The German Parliament had approved a one-year
Lebanon mission, Haidorn revealed, and likely would extend it
NICOSIA 00000127 002 OF 002
another six months or more. Further, his government in
October 2006 had leased facilities in Limassol for twelve
months, with the German command expected to last until July
2007. Turkey's eventual assumption of UNIFIL's naval command
-- with its accompanying caveats regarding Cyprus's
participation -- thus threatened Germany's investment and
participation in the high-profile operation. END NOTE.)
6. (C) DCM replied that this was the first we had heard of
this issue. She noted that she therefore did not have
guidance or instructions but that the U.S. was well aware of
the critical role and excellent support that Cyprus had given
to UNIFIL and its naval operations. She agreed to follow up
and seek further information and guidance on this potential
issue.
SCHLICHER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR DAS MATTHEW BRYZA, EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2012
TAGS: PREL PARM UNIFIL CY LE TU
SUBJECT: CYPRUS SKITTISH OVER POSSIBLE TURKISH ROLE IN
UNIFIL
REF: NICOSIA-EUR/SE EMAIL OF 2/9/07
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald L. Schlicher for Reasons 1.5 (b)
and (d).
1. (C) Summary and Action Request: The MFA summoned DCM
February 12 to voice "serious concerns" over reports from UN
DPKO that Turkey sought to take over Germany's leadership of
UNIFIL naval operations. Post appreciates Department
information on Turkey's possible role in UNIFIL naval
operations and guidance on responding to the ROC's concerns.
End Summary.
2. (C) MFA Political Director (and former Ambassador to the
United States) Euripides Evriviades summoned DCM February 12
concerning information from the UN's Department of
Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) that Germany may relinquish
command of UN Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) naval operations and
that Turkey -- with a list of caveats -- had reportedly
volunteered to take over Germany's role. Though not a formal
demarche, Evriviades was "under instructions from the Foreign
Minister to approach P5 missions" about the "unacceptability"
of Turkey taking over command from Germany. Evriviades
stated that the ROC PermRep in New York would also contact
USUN (if he had not already) to pass the same message.
3. (C) The UNIFIL naval component included Germany,
Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, Evriviades noted,
and Cyprus had Status of Forces agreements with each.
Bilateral cooperation with Germany had been excellent
throughout the Lebanon operation. Evriviades listed several
problems with a Turkey-led UNIFIL naval component, many
related to the Cyprus issue but some due to Turkey's
operational caveats. Supporting ground operations in south
Lebanon from distant (six hours away) Adana was one.
Similarly, should another non-combatant evacuation become
necessary, Adana's distance from the Lebanese coast was
problematic. On the other hand, Cyprus's location "was
crucial for an effective UNSCR 1701," allowing UNIFIL naval
assets to intercept and later inspect ships suspected of
arming Hizbollah.
4. (C) Evriviades claimed that Turkey, in its offer to UN
DPKO, continued to flagrantly disregard international law --
that is, UNSCRs on the Cyprus Problem -- and supposedly
stated to UN DPKO that it would "use any place convenient" to
conduct its UNIFIL operations, including Famagusta port and
Ercan airport in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots.
Using ports in the north would violate International Maritime
Organization (IMO) regulations, he warned. Turkey would also
ignore Flight Information Region (FIR) rules in violation of
Cypriot air control responsibilities, Evriviades charged, and
possibly use "illegal" Ercan Airport in violation of
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations.
Last, in its offer to UN DPKO, Turkey apparently excluded
use of Greek Cypriot-contolled ports and airports and
reiterated its non-recognition of ROC-flagged vessels or even
ships related to Cypriot interests, irrespective of their
potential use in UNIFIL support ops.
5. (C) Evriviades expressed hope that Germany would continue
in its current UNIFIL role. He had made this pitch to German
Ambassador Rolf Kaiser, who committed to obtaining Berlin's
guidance but had not yet responded with his government's
answer. (NOTE: In a February 13 call to German DCM Joachim
Haidorn, the Embassy learned that the German government
viewed with great concern Turkey's efforts to win the UNIFIL
naval command. The German Parliament had approved a one-year
Lebanon mission, Haidorn revealed, and likely would extend it
NICOSIA 00000127 002 OF 002
another six months or more. Further, his government in
October 2006 had leased facilities in Limassol for twelve
months, with the German command expected to last until July
2007. Turkey's eventual assumption of UNIFIL's naval command
-- with its accompanying caveats regarding Cyprus's
participation -- thus threatened Germany's investment and
participation in the high-profile operation. END NOTE.)
6. (C) DCM replied that this was the first we had heard of
this issue. She noted that she therefore did not have
guidance or instructions but that the U.S. was well aware of
the critical role and excellent support that Cyprus had given
to UNIFIL and its naval operations. She agreed to follow up
and seek further information and guidance on this potential
issue.
SCHLICHER