Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ANKARA1576
2008-09-02 12:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY: GEORGIAN FM URGES GLOBAL SOLUTIONS IN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0007 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAK #1576 2461250 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 021250Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7328 INFO RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU PRIORITY 1580 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 5637 RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY 3185 RUEHYE/AMEMBASSY YEREVAN PRIORITY 1340
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001576
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SE, EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/02/2018
TAGS: PREL GG RU TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: GEORGIAN FM URGES GLOBAL SOLUTIONS IN
MEETING WITH FM BABACAN
Classified By: DCM Doug Silliman, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001576
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SE, EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/02/2018
TAGS: PREL GG RU TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: GEORGIAN FM URGES GLOBAL SOLUTIONS IN
MEETING WITH FM BABACAN
Classified By: DCM Doug Silliman, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) Georgian DCM Irakli Koplatadze on September 1 gave DCM
a readout of the August 31 meeting between Turkish FM Babacan
and Georgian FM Tkeshelashvili in Istanbul. Babacan, said
Koplatadze, began the meeting by expressing "deep concern"
for Russian actions and strong Turkish support for the
"political unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty" of
Georgia. He then asked if, now that the immediate tensions
of the Russian invasion had eased, Georgia would be willing
to discuss Turkey's idea for a Caucasus Stability and
Cooperation Platform. Babacan also expressed concern over
Georgia's decision to break diplomatic relations with Russia,
but, according to Koplatadze, expressed Turkish support for
Georgia's NATO candidacy.
2. (C) Tkeshelashvili responded that Georgia does not believe
the current situation calls for "local" solutions. She asked
Turkey to do more to make sure that European and global
organizations in which it is a member or candidate -- NATO,
EU, OSCE, UN -- work to press Russia to restore Georgia's
sovereignty and territorial integrity. As long as Georgia is
occupied by Russian troops and Russia recognizes Abkhazia and
South Ossetia, Georgia will not be willing to sit with Russia
in the format Turkey has suggested. The two agreed to be
back in touch (probably by phone) after Lavrov's September 2
visit to Ankara.
3. (C) According to Koplatadze, at an August 31 dinner for
Tkeshelashvili, PM Erdogan's Foreign Policy Advisor Ahmet
Davutoglu commented that NATO had a role in resolving the
Georgia crisis, but that NATO must have a clear framework of
responsibilities for Georgia and define precisely "where
those responsibilities start and where they end." COMMENT:
We read this remark as a further sign of Turkey's caution in
approaching Georgia's desire for full membership. END
COMMENT.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
WILSON
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SE, EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/02/2018
TAGS: PREL GG RU TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: GEORGIAN FM URGES GLOBAL SOLUTIONS IN
MEETING WITH FM BABACAN
Classified By: DCM Doug Silliman, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) Georgian DCM Irakli Koplatadze on September 1 gave DCM
a readout of the August 31 meeting between Turkish FM Babacan
and Georgian FM Tkeshelashvili in Istanbul. Babacan, said
Koplatadze, began the meeting by expressing "deep concern"
for Russian actions and strong Turkish support for the
"political unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty" of
Georgia. He then asked if, now that the immediate tensions
of the Russian invasion had eased, Georgia would be willing
to discuss Turkey's idea for a Caucasus Stability and
Cooperation Platform. Babacan also expressed concern over
Georgia's decision to break diplomatic relations with Russia,
but, according to Koplatadze, expressed Turkish support for
Georgia's NATO candidacy.
2. (C) Tkeshelashvili responded that Georgia does not believe
the current situation calls for "local" solutions. She asked
Turkey to do more to make sure that European and global
organizations in which it is a member or candidate -- NATO,
EU, OSCE, UN -- work to press Russia to restore Georgia's
sovereignty and territorial integrity. As long as Georgia is
occupied by Russian troops and Russia recognizes Abkhazia and
South Ossetia, Georgia will not be willing to sit with Russia
in the format Turkey has suggested. The two agreed to be
back in touch (probably by phone) after Lavrov's September 2
visit to Ankara.
3. (C) According to Koplatadze, at an August 31 dinner for
Tkeshelashvili, PM Erdogan's Foreign Policy Advisor Ahmet
Davutoglu commented that NATO had a role in resolving the
Georgia crisis, but that NATO must have a clear framework of
responsibilities for Georgia and define precisely "where
those responsibilities start and where they end." COMMENT:
We read this remark as a further sign of Turkey's caution in
approaching Georgia's desire for full membership. END
COMMENT.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
WILSON