Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ANKARA275
2008-02-13 15:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY/KOSOVO: TURKEY TO FOLLOW CLOSE ON OUR HEELS
how-toVZCZCXRO7127 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHAK #0275 0441517 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 131517Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5227 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000275
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE JOSHUA BLACK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2018
TAGS: PREL UNAUS UNMIK PROV YI EU OSCE TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY/KOSOVO: TURKEY TO FOLLOW CLOSE ON OUR HEELS
REF: A. SECSTATE 14284
B. ANKARA 236
C. SECSTATE 12026
Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000275
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE JOSHUA BLACK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2018
TAGS: PREL UNAUS UNMIK PROV YI EU OSCE TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY/KOSOVO: TURKEY TO FOLLOW CLOSE ON OUR HEELS
REF: A. SECSTATE 14284
B. ANKARA 236
C. SECSTATE 12026
Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (U) This message contains an action request at para 5.
2. (C) Ambassador emphasized our hope that countries would
recognize Kosovo soon after it declares independence, and
reviewed with MFA U/S Apakan the request that Turkey become a
member of the Kosovo International Steering Group (ISG) (refs
b and c). Apakan confirmed Turkey would recognize as soon as
possible after the Quint and the US. He said Turkey was
eager to become an ISG member. He sought assurance that
Turkey would participate as a full ISG member, not as an
observer. Turkey's 30,000 citizens of Albanian origin are
lobbying hard for Turkey to take a lead role. Ambassador
affirmed that we welcome Turkey taking a strong, visible role
as a full ISG member. Apakan noted he had earlier directed
his people to start working with Turkish industry and
entrepreneurs to come up with a menu of areas where Turkey
could invest and contribute to Kosovo's socio-economic
development. Turkey also plans to help develop institutions
of higher learning in Kosovo.
3. (C) Apakan requested that we keep in close touch in the
run-up to the declaration of independence to ensure that
Turkey can follow close on our heels. He asked if we could
share in advance the substance of the text the USG plans to
release. This would help the GOT formulate its own text,
ensure it is on the same track, and speed its internal
process. Apakan also queried at what point the USG planned
to upgrade its representation in Pristina.
4. (C) Ambassador also noted that the Serbs and Russians are
lobbying to invoke the OSCE's Berlin Mechanism immediately
after the Kosovar declaration of independence (ref a). We do
not support this and it is not the right venue; Kosovo has
been dealt with in the UN, under UNSCR 1244. Apakan
indicated his understanding and agreement.
5. (C) Action request: If we are able to share in advance
the outline of the text the USG plans to release, we believe
this would be useful in just the way Apakan described.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
WILSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE JOSHUA BLACK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2018
TAGS: PREL UNAUS UNMIK PROV YI EU OSCE TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY/KOSOVO: TURKEY TO FOLLOW CLOSE ON OUR HEELS
REF: A. SECSTATE 14284
B. ANKARA 236
C. SECSTATE 12026
Classified By: Ambassador Ross Wilson, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (U) This message contains an action request at para 5.
2. (C) Ambassador emphasized our hope that countries would
recognize Kosovo soon after it declares independence, and
reviewed with MFA U/S Apakan the request that Turkey become a
member of the Kosovo International Steering Group (ISG) (refs
b and c). Apakan confirmed Turkey would recognize as soon as
possible after the Quint and the US. He said Turkey was
eager to become an ISG member. He sought assurance that
Turkey would participate as a full ISG member, not as an
observer. Turkey's 30,000 citizens of Albanian origin are
lobbying hard for Turkey to take a lead role. Ambassador
affirmed that we welcome Turkey taking a strong, visible role
as a full ISG member. Apakan noted he had earlier directed
his people to start working with Turkish industry and
entrepreneurs to come up with a menu of areas where Turkey
could invest and contribute to Kosovo's socio-economic
development. Turkey also plans to help develop institutions
of higher learning in Kosovo.
3. (C) Apakan requested that we keep in close touch in the
run-up to the declaration of independence to ensure that
Turkey can follow close on our heels. He asked if we could
share in advance the substance of the text the USG plans to
release. This would help the GOT formulate its own text,
ensure it is on the same track, and speed its internal
process. Apakan also queried at what point the USG planned
to upgrade its representation in Pristina.
4. (C) Ambassador also noted that the Serbs and Russians are
lobbying to invoke the OSCE's Berlin Mechanism immediately
after the Kosovar declaration of independence (ref a). We do
not support this and it is not the right venue; Kosovo has
been dealt with in the UN, under UNSCR 1244. Apakan
indicated his understanding and agreement.
5. (C) Action request: If we are able to share in advance
the outline of the text the USG plans to release, we believe
this would be useful in just the way Apakan described.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
WILSON