MFA UNDER SECRETARY ON CYPRUS, AEGEAN, ARMENIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001626

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV TU
SUBJECT: MFA UNDER SECRETARY ON CYPRUS, AEGEAN, ARMENIA

REF: ANKARA 1568

Classified By: Ambassador James Jeffrey, for reasons 1.4(b,d)


1. SUMMARY. In a November 10 discussion with the Ambassador,
Turkish MFA Under Secretary Sinirlioglu:
-- urged that the US get involved in the Cyprus talks and
noted that the 2006 Finnish proposal for the Additional
Ankara Protocol is "still on the table";
-- indicated that while flights in the vicinity of
Farmakonisi and Agathonisi are back on, that he has told the
Turkish military to lower the frequency of such overflights
and to cease direct overflights of islands, maintaining more
distance and altitude;
-- suggested that creative ways be found to provide security
assurances for Yerevan if it implements the first principle
by itself (withdrawal from five rayons),thereby allowing
Ankara to ratify the Armenia Protocols. END SUMMARY.

Cyprus
--------------


2. (C) On Cyprus, Sinirlioglu warned that it is not only a
big problem now, but threatens to become a bigger problem.
He said he had told the EU Presidency in Stockholm last week
that the EU needs to be fair and just, instead of punishing
"the one who had done the right thing." (Note: This is a
reference to the 2004 referendum on the Annan Plan. End
Note). He complained that some in the EU are using Cyprus as
an excuse. He also criticized the USG for not delivering on
its promises in 2004 to help lift the isolation of the
Turkish Cypriots. The EU had promised the same thing in
writing -- and had even prepared the necessary regulation --
but had not followed through. The result was "unjust and
insulting." It was "cheating," Sinirlioglu said, and
something that still rankles with PM Erdogan.


3. (C) Sinirlioglu said Ankara had been prepared to go along
with the Finnish EU Presidency proposal in 2006 to open up a
Turkish port to the Greek Cypriots in return for lifting
restrictions on Ercan Airport, but the Greek Cypriots had not
been cooperative. Nevertheless, this proposal is "still on
the table." Turkey remains focused on a comprehensive
solution, which Turkish Cypriot leader Talat also wants.
However, Greek Cypriot leader Christofias appears determined
to "marginalize the talks." Christofias argues that this is
an internal problem of Cyprus -- but it is not. It is an
international problem, which Ankara is ready to deal with.
The two sides already have sorted out power-sharing. They
need to address property, after which the issue of guarantees
could be broached. Sinirlioglu emphasized that the USG also
should be involved. Christofias needs to bring about a
change of mood among the Greek Cypriots, otherwise a solution
will remain out of reach. "Therefore, we want to convince
you and the U.N. to do more."

Aegean
--------------


4. (C) The Ambassador took the opportunity to raise Turkish
overflights in the Aegean. Most troubling were overflights
of Farmakonisi and Agathanosi, two Dodecanese Islets. These
types of actions are impossible to explain to Washington, and
even if Turkey were so dumb as to question the sovereignty of
these islands, whose ownership is clear by treaty agreement,
low level overflights would not be the way. Sinirlioglu
replied that "I got your point," and said he agrees with it.
There had been a moratorium in place, but it had ended
November 1. He said he has told the military to lower the
frequency, and not to fly directly over these islands. To
address the issue, Ankara also had proposed a "working map"
to Greek Prime Minister Papandreou. Turkey is prepared to
come together, to address problems and to find solutions.

Armenia
--------------


5. (C) On Armenia, Sinirlioglu said Turkey and the US need
to work together on what has become a "dangerous slope." No

ANKARA 00001626 002 OF 002


one should underestimate the courage that had been required
for the signatures alone. If we act in a pessimistic way,
"everything will crumble." If Armenia could accept
implementing the first principle by itself (withdrawal from
the five rayons),Turkey would ratify the protocol and the
entire equilibrium can be changed. Armenia President
Sargsian has said he cannot withdraw from these five rayons
because the security situation in the two remaining rayons
would be precarious. Therefore, President Gul has proposed
that a way be found to allow the Armenians not be feel
undermined. This could start the "breakthrough," he said.
The Ambassador noted that the US had posed this to Yerevan
before but had not gotten far. Sinirlioglu suggested that
the message should come from a higher level.

JEFFREY

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