DEPARTMENT RESPONSE TO GOT REGARDING U.S. DEFENSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 088160 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2017 TAGS: CY GR PARM PREL TU SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT RESPONSE TO GOT REGARDING U.S. DEFENSE ARTICLES IN CYPRUS REF: A. ANKARA 1531 ¶B. ATHENS 1058 ¶C. SECSTATE 60882 ¶D. ATHENS 772 ¶E. SECSTATE 41819 ¶F. SECSTATE 35756/7 ¶G. ATHENS 00385 ¶H. ATHENS 00110 ¶I. 2006 ATHENS 02884 ¶J. 2006 SECSTATE 165770 Classified By: EUR: DAS Matthew Bryza Reasons 1.4(b),(d) ¶1. (U) This is an Action Request. Please see paragraph 2. ¶2. (C) Per REFTEL A, Department provides points in paragraph 4 upon which Embassy Ankara may draw to respond to MFA Deputy Under Secretary for Northeast Mediterranean and Americas Haydar Berk and other appropriate GOT officials. ¶4. (C/REL Turkey) Begin Points: -- The USG requires all countries, including both Greece and Turkey, that receive U.S. defense articles not to retransfer those articles to other countries without prior permission of the USG, and, with respect to articles provided pursuant to agreements entered into after December 22, 1987, that such articles will not be transferred to the island of Cyprus. - The GOG was found to be out of compliance with its obligations regarding U.S.-origin defense items on the island. The GOG has agreed to a plan to remedy this situation. As this plan was developed to address GOG compliance with its obligations to the USG, a similar plan is not necessary for the Government of Turkey. - The GOG has committed to removing post-1987 materiel from the island, similar to the removal of post-1987 materiel by the GOT. - Pre-1987 materiel in the area of Cyprus administered by Turkish Cypriots is under GOT control; similarly the GOG must retain title and possession of any defense article that remains in the part of Cyprus under the control of the Republic of Cyprus. - The current plan has been agreed solely to address GOG compliance with its obligations to the USG, and should not cause further military transfers to the island. The USG has consistently supported the demilitarization of the island as necessary to achieve a resolution to the division of Cyprus and believes that this plan contributes to that goal. - The USG remains committed to a just and lasting settlement on Cyprus through the UN process based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. - (ONLY IF ASKED) No Greek-Cypriot will be allowed access to the items which will be stored in facilities separate from Greek-Cypriot facilities. End Points. RICE