TURKEY: UN USYG PASCOE CONSULTS MFA ON CYPRUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000709

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV CY TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: UN USYG PASCOE CONSULTS MFA ON CYPRUS
PROPOSAL

REF: A. ANKARA 481

B. ANKARA 439

C. ATHENS 367

Classified By: Acting PolCouns Kelly Degnan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: Following consultations in Nicosia and
Athens, UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs
Pascoe visited Ankara April 8 to discuss the UN's proposal
for the next round of comprehensive Cyprus settlement talks.
MFA sources report the GOT is pleased with the details Pascoe
laid out in meetings with FM Babacan and MFA Under Secretary
Apakan, who underscored the importance of comprehensive UN
involvement and the need for a general negotiations timeline
up front. In addition, Apakan emphasized Cypriot President
Christofias and "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)
President" Talat must conduct the final negotiations in order
to reach a politically sustainable agreement. In a brief
follow-on meeting with UK Ambassador Nick Baird, Pascoe
reportedly discussed the impact of the closure case against
Turkey's ruling party on the GOT's ability to throw its
political weight behind the Cyprus process. Baird and Pascoe
also talked about identifying possible (constructive) roles
for P-5 members France and Russia. End Summary.


2. (C) UN Under Secretary General Pascoe previewed his
proposal for the comprehensive settlement talks in Cyprus
with FM Babacan and MFA U/S Apakan during his April 8 trip to
Ankara. MFA Cyprus Department Head Can Oztas told us Pascoe
briefed Babacan in general terms on his recent Nicosia and
Athens meetings and explained the UN proposal. With U/S
Apakan, however, he delved into greater detail. Oztas
reported Apakan emphasized the GOT wants the UN involved in
the entire process, noting "Without the UN, there will be no
structure." Apakan also underscored the need to establish a
general schedule outlining the time and place for each phase
of the talks before beginning negotiations. Unlike "TRNC"
leader Talat's declaration that negotiations should be
concluded by the end of 2008, Apakan reportedly told Pascoe
that Turkey's timeline is "more flexible." According to
Oztas, Pascoe estimated the negotiations phase could be
concluded in roughly a year with a summer 2008 start date.


3. (C) Pascoe told GOT interlocutors that the Greek Cypriots
have agreed to use the Annan Plan as a basis of negotiation,
but will not publicly announce it, reported Oztas. Pascoe
envisions working groups would meet for three months to
review and "check off" technical aspects previously agreed
upon in roughly 7,000 pages of the Annan Plan. Once the
three month period concluded, the working groups would not
meet again. An additional 2,000 pages reflect undisputed
standing agreements related to Cyprus from the 1960,s
onward, and according to Oztas, Pascoe told GOT officials he
did not expect these to be controversial. The remaining 200
pages, including issues like securities and guarantees, would
require full negotiations. Apakan underscored the importance
of Cypriot President Christofias and "TRNC President" Talat,
endowed with the full authority of their legislatures,
personally conducting those talks in order to reach a
successful and sustainable agreement.


4. (C) Pascoe met briefly with UK Ambassador Nick Baird
before departing Ankara, according to UK Embassy contacts.
Pascoe told Baird his meetings with GOT officials were
general, but positive; the Turks made the right noises. The
two primarily discussed the ruling Justice and Development
Party (AKP) closure case and its impact on Prime Minister
Erdogan's ability to throw his political weight behind
resolving the Cyprus issue. The two leaders also talked
about possible (constructive) roles for P-5 members France,
primarily, and Russia.


5. (C) Oztas noted that while the GOT will support whatever
the "TRNC" finds acceptable, Turkey's redlines remain
unchanged. All parties must uphold the Treaty of Guarantee
and Alliance. In addition, the final settlement must be
based on bi-zonal, political equality of the two sides, and
equal status of the two constituent states that will form a
new federation. Oztas reported the GOT has, thus far, seen
no real change in the Greek Cypriots, position on the
settlement plan other than Christofias says he would to

ANKARA 00000709 002 OF 002


negotiate in contrast to former Cypriot President
Papadopoulos' refusal to talk. Talat wants to see deeds and
not talk, according to Oztas. He added although Talat and
Christofias were "comrades in arms" in support of a
settlement, Talat still carries a sense that he was betrayed
by Christofias following the latter's 2004 decision to oppose
the Annan Plan after saying he intended to support it.


6. (C) The GOT has established a policy to refrain from
making public comments that could prejudice the negotiations
process, stated Oztas, a step Pascoe acknowledged during his
meetings with Babacan and Apakan. Oztas emphasized CHOD
Buyukanit's April statement that Turkish troops would remain
on the island until "a just and permanent peace is
established" was taken out of context by the press.
Buyukanit, claimed Oztas, was referring to the 650 Turkish
troops afforded by the Guarantee and Alliance Treaty.
Erdogan, visiting Sweden at the time, quickly clarified that
Turkish troops would begin withdrawal as soon as an agreement
was signed. Oztas added Turkish Land Forces Commander GEN
Basbug,s previously scheduled April visit to Cyprus
unfortunately came on the heels of Buyukanit's impromptu
trip, giving the impression that the Turkish military was
attempting to influence the process.


7. (C) Oztas called the incident that led to the temporary
closing of the Ledra Street crossing as "unfortunate." When
an unruly group approached the crossing, the "TRNC" police
stepped outside their guard posts to investigate. Viewing
the troops' movement as a hostile act, the group left and
shortly returned with anti-Turkish banners. The police then
denied passage. He cited media speculation that
Papadopolous, who opposed opening Ledra Street, may have
orchestrated the demonstration to occur while Christofias was
in London. Oztas reported the issue now seems to be
resolved.

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

DEBLAUW