Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ANKARA141
2008-01-24 10:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY: MFA BALKANS CHIEF DISCUSSES KOSOVO,
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000141
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2016
TAGS: PREL TU KV MW
SUBJECT: TURKEY: MFA BALKANS CHIEF DISCUSSES KOSOVO,
MONTENEGRIN VISIT
Classified By: PolCouns Janice G. Weiner for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000141
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2016
TAGS: PREL TU KV MW
SUBJECT: TURKEY: MFA BALKANS CHIEF DISCUSSES KOSOVO,
MONTENEGRIN VISIT
Classified By: PolCouns Janice G. Weiner for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary and Comment: GOT officials tell us that Turkey
is ready to recognize Kosovo independence. Timing, however,
is contingent on EU solidarity. Should a majority of EU
countries, including key members, immediately recognize
Kosovo, Turkey will rapidly follow suit. MFA Balkans
Department Head Ilhan Saygili reported the Albanian
government has asked Turkey to play a leadership role in
soliciting Kosovo recognition at the upcoming Organization of
the Islamic Conference (OIC) meeting in Cairo. On several
occasions, Turkey has secured OIC member support for Kosovo
initiatives, but Albania's refusal to "sync up" with other
issues of importance to the OIC, specifically on Palestine,
has greatly reduced Tirana's creditability within the
organization. Turkey is unlikely to risk becoming involved
in intra-OIC politics by taking the stage with Albania in
Cairo, but could play a significant role in encouraging
Kosovo recognition by the Islamic world if properly entreated
to do so. End Summary and Comment.
2. (C) MFA Balkans Department Head Ilhan Saygili affirmed
recent statements made by PM Erdogan that Turkey will
recognize an independent Kosovo. Whether Turkey will be in
the first or second wave of recognitions depends on EU
solidarity. If a majority of EU nations, including key
members like France and Germany, are quick to recognize
Kosovo, Turkey will immediately follow suit. If the EU fails
to achieve significant consensus, Turkey will delay its
recognition. Reflecting Turkish reservations concerning
Serbia's expected reaction to Kosovo independence, Saygili
reported the GOT has encouraged the new Kosovo government to
include in its declaration of independence language an
assurance that the Government of Kosovo aims to maintain
regional stability. Based on conversations with Serbian
officials, the GOT believes such language could provide the
Serbs with some political cover.
3. (C) Saygili reported the Albanian government formally
asked the GOT to take a leadership role in advocating for
Kosovo recognition at the upcoming OIC parliamentary
conference in Cairo, January 25-31. Without committing, the
GOT advised Tirana to draft a proposal and submit it to the
OIC for discussion. The Turks also suggested the Albanians
become "more forthcoming" on issues of importance to the OIC.
Saygili explained that many OIC members resent Albania's
habitual abstention on referenda related to Palestine.
4. (C) In the highest-level Montenegrin visit to date,
Foreign Minister Milan Rochen met with President Gul, Foreign
Minister Babacan, and Parliamentary Speaker Toptan during a
January 16 trip to Ankara. Saygili reported discussions
focused on enhancing bilateral relations and regional issues
such as Kosovo. Foreign Ministers Rochen and Babacan signed
three documents: a cooperative agreement between Foreign
Ministries; a protocol for training Montenegrin diplomats at
the Turkish Academy of Foreign Service; and a mutual lifting
of visa regimes. On the issue of Kosovo, Rochen told Babacan
that Montenegro "does not have the luxury of being in a hurry
for recognition" due to its inherent relationship with Serbia.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
WILSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2016
TAGS: PREL TU KV MW
SUBJECT: TURKEY: MFA BALKANS CHIEF DISCUSSES KOSOVO,
MONTENEGRIN VISIT
Classified By: PolCouns Janice G. Weiner for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary and Comment: GOT officials tell us that Turkey
is ready to recognize Kosovo independence. Timing, however,
is contingent on EU solidarity. Should a majority of EU
countries, including key members, immediately recognize
Kosovo, Turkey will rapidly follow suit. MFA Balkans
Department Head Ilhan Saygili reported the Albanian
government has asked Turkey to play a leadership role in
soliciting Kosovo recognition at the upcoming Organization of
the Islamic Conference (OIC) meeting in Cairo. On several
occasions, Turkey has secured OIC member support for Kosovo
initiatives, but Albania's refusal to "sync up" with other
issues of importance to the OIC, specifically on Palestine,
has greatly reduced Tirana's creditability within the
organization. Turkey is unlikely to risk becoming involved
in intra-OIC politics by taking the stage with Albania in
Cairo, but could play a significant role in encouraging
Kosovo recognition by the Islamic world if properly entreated
to do so. End Summary and Comment.
2. (C) MFA Balkans Department Head Ilhan Saygili affirmed
recent statements made by PM Erdogan that Turkey will
recognize an independent Kosovo. Whether Turkey will be in
the first or second wave of recognitions depends on EU
solidarity. If a majority of EU nations, including key
members like France and Germany, are quick to recognize
Kosovo, Turkey will immediately follow suit. If the EU fails
to achieve significant consensus, Turkey will delay its
recognition. Reflecting Turkish reservations concerning
Serbia's expected reaction to Kosovo independence, Saygili
reported the GOT has encouraged the new Kosovo government to
include in its declaration of independence language an
assurance that the Government of Kosovo aims to maintain
regional stability. Based on conversations with Serbian
officials, the GOT believes such language could provide the
Serbs with some political cover.
3. (C) Saygili reported the Albanian government formally
asked the GOT to take a leadership role in advocating for
Kosovo recognition at the upcoming OIC parliamentary
conference in Cairo, January 25-31. Without committing, the
GOT advised Tirana to draft a proposal and submit it to the
OIC for discussion. The Turks also suggested the Albanians
become "more forthcoming" on issues of importance to the OIC.
Saygili explained that many OIC members resent Albania's
habitual abstention on referenda related to Palestine.
4. (C) In the highest-level Montenegrin visit to date,
Foreign Minister Milan Rochen met with President Gul, Foreign
Minister Babacan, and Parliamentary Speaker Toptan during a
January 16 trip to Ankara. Saygili reported discussions
focused on enhancing bilateral relations and regional issues
such as Kosovo. Foreign Ministers Rochen and Babacan signed
three documents: a cooperative agreement between Foreign
Ministries; a protocol for training Montenegrin diplomats at
the Turkish Academy of Foreign Service; and a mutual lifting
of visa regimes. On the issue of Kosovo, Rochen told Babacan
that Montenegro "does not have the luxury of being in a hurry
for recognition" due to its inherent relationship with Serbia.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
WILSON