CODEL SHUSTER IN TURKEY: PKK TERRORISM, ARMENIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000130 SIPDIS SIPDIS ANKARA PASS TO ADANA E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ TU SUBJECT: CODEL SHUSTER IN TURKEY: PKK TERRORISM, ARMENIAN RESOLUTION AND ENERGY REF: ANKARA 0114 Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) Summary. During a January 11-15 trip to Turkey, MFA U/S Apakan said cooperation against PKK terrorists had created a "renewed partnership" but cautioned the House's Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.R. 106) remains a challenge. Codel Shuster asked the GOT to expand outreach efforts on Capitol Hill to better inform Members of Congress of the consequences of passing the resolution. Apakan expressed his hope a settlement in Cyprus could be achieved this year. In Adana, Codel Shuster discussed the importance of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline for world oil markets. End summary. Bilateral Relations and Iraq -------------- ¶2. (C) Apakan said President Gul had excellent meetings in Washington which highlighted a number areas for continued U.S.-Turkey cooperation. He said success in Iraq is the highest priority for both countries, noting we share the same goal of an integrated, politically united Iraq. Representative Shuster pressed this point asking what response the GOT would have to Congressional proposals to partition Iraq. Apakan said carving off Northern Iraq would be a mistake because it would lead to splintering among many groups. He emphasized the only solution is a single Iraqi state. He thanked President Bush for continued intelligence sharing aimed at rooting out the PKK. He said Turkey is working with the international community to counter Iranian ambitions to develop nuclear weapons. On energy issues, Apakan said Turkey continues to support U.S Caspian energy strategy and would like to have more frequent discussions on regional and global energy issues. Turning to the EU, he thanked President Bush for continued support for Turkey's bid to join the Union. Apakan mentioned that importance of working with the EU, NATO and the UN to contribute to peace-making in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Kossovo and the DRC. He said Turkey would like to work with the U.S. on resolving Turkey's dispute with ESDP and expressed concern that EU security resources were not commensurate with ESDP missions. ¶H. R. 106 -------------- ¶3. (C) Apakan said House Resolution 106 remains a challenge for U.S.-Turkish relations. The legislation poisons ties with Israel, delays normalization with Armenia and could lead to Turkey's isolation in Europe if more EU countries follow the U.S. lead and pass similar legislation. Apakan added that Turkey is still waiting for an answer from Armenia regarding a proposal for a joint historical commission of independent historians to study the events of 1915-17. Turkey is ready to accept the outcome, whatever it may be, of such a commission, he said. Representative Shuster said that trips like his delegation's to Turkey help educate members of Congress, adding the Armenian Diaspora have a well organized lobbying effort on this issue. He encouraged the Turks to put more effort into getting their message heard. Representative English added the Turkish delegation who visited Washington before the vote was very persuasive. Other Members, like himself, might be willing to take some political risk (i.e. vote against the Armenian lobby) if they better understood the importance of Turkey as a U.S. ally. Cyprus -------------- ¶4. (C) Turkey wants a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue and wants to make 2008 the year of settlement, Apakan said. Representative English asked whether a solution which entailing a federal state of Cyprus could sufficiently protect the Turkish minority on the island. Apakan replied a loose federal system that gives some measure of autonomy to the North or a partnership between the two sides were possible solutions. Apakan lamented the failure of the 2004 UN plan to unite the island and blamed Greeks' belief in their cultural superiority over the Turks for the 40 year impasse in resolving the dispute. ANKARA 00000130 002 OF 002 Adana Governor Meeting -------------- ¶5. (SBU) On January 12, CODEL Shuster members met January 12 with Adana Governor Ilhan Atis, a civil servant appointed as provincial administrator in March 2007. He thanked the United States for encouraging the development of the BTC pipeline and for continued support on Turkey's EU accession bid. Representative Shuster stated the BTC pipeline is a very important strategic asset to the region and the world, and said he was pleased to note that on January 9, the first U.S.-bound oil tanker had left Turkey's Ceyhan terminus. He asked Atis how he viewed Adana's potential to become an energy hub, and how the PKK and Iraq issues had affected the province. Atis said the hub concept in Adana comprised three refineries, two ship-building dockyards and petrochemical processing plants, with a view to harnessing $10 billion in investments. The governor also remarked Adana province had not been marred by terrorism, and noted the stability and human rights record of his geographic jurisdiction. Atis said he felt confident that with current U.S. involvement in the battle against terrorism, the PKK would soon be eliminated. ¶6. (SBU) Representative English said America regards relations with Turkey as one of the most important in the world, as Turkey serves as the bridge between east and west and has opportunity to have a profound impact on the way forward to both the Middle East and Europe. English called for stronger and more equal dialogue with Turkey, and expressed hope for Turkey's timely accession as a full-fledged EU member. Representative Porter offered assistance and know-how from Nevada on developing Adana's travel and tourism potential, citing tourism as his state's number one revenue-generating activity. ¶7. (U) CODEL Shuster did not have the opportunity to clear on this cable. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey WILSON