Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ANKARA1739
2008-10-06 14:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

TURKEY STILL UNDECIDED ON KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION AT

Tags:  PREL UNAUS UNGA KV TU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9417
OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHAK #1739 2801446
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 061446Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7604
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001739

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/SE, EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2018
TAGS: PREL UNAUS UNGA KV TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY STILL UNDECIDED ON KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION AT
UNGA

REF: SECSTATE 105796

Classified By: Acting PolCouns Chris Krafft, reasons 1.4 (b,d)

(C) Turkey is still considering its position on the Serbian
resolution at UNGA seeking to refer a question on Kosovo's
declaration of independence to the International Court of
Justice (ICJ),MFA Balkans Department Head Ilhan Saygili told
us October 6. Saygili welcomed our points (reftel),but said
he believes Turkey will most likely not make a decision until
the last minute. He noted that the EU is still seeking to
form a consensus position around abstention, implying that
Turkey might seek to join such a consensus if it emerges.
Turkey's decision to recognize Kosovo's independence is
irreversible, Saygili emphasized. In Turkey's view, however,
any country should have the right to refer a legal question
to the ICJ, the rulings of which are non-binding. Moreover,
Turkey believes an ICJ referral could constitute a
face-saving measure for Serbia as it seeks to repair its
relations with those countries recognizing Kosovo's
independence. Turkey is working hard to normalize its
relations with Serbia, and believes it is making progress,
though Belgrade has not yet returned its Ambassador to Ankara.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey

WILSON