NATO MISSILE DEFENSE: STRONG COMMUNIQUE WILL BE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001662 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2019 TAGS: PARM MARR PREL NATO TU SUBJECT: NATO MISSILE DEFENSE: STRONG COMMUNIQUE WILL BE KEY TO GAIN TURKISH SUPPORT REF: USNATO 0528 Classified By: Ambassador James F. Jeffrey for reason 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (C) During her November 18 Missile Defense consultations in Ankara (septel),U/S Tauscher reviewed the basic outline of our proposed NATO Ministerial Communique Missile Defense Language (as per reftel para 2) with top Turkish General Staff and Foreign Ministry officials. While the Turks did not comment specifically, they appeared reassured at our proposed language as a first step toward meeting their bottom line Missile Defense request of a -- to the maximum extent feasible -- NATO-ized Missile Defense Approach. ¶2. (C) Thus any deviation downward from the four points proposed by the U.S. would cause considerable concern here as we work with the Turks to move forward their crucial participation in Missle Defense. ¶3. (U) Under Secretary Tauscher has cleard this cable. JEFFREY "Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.s gov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turkey"