US embassy cable - 04ANKARA1877

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001877 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR NP/CBM, NEA 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2029 
TAGS: ETTC, PARM, PREL, TU 
SUBJECT: PRELIMINARY TURKISH REACTION TO AUSTRALIA GROUP 
PLENARY REGIONAL NONPROLIFERATION PROPOSALS 
 
 
REF: STATE 68716 
 
 
(U) Classified by Acting Economic Counselor Andrew Snow for 
reasons 1.4 B, D, and H. 
 
 
(C) Econoff delivered reftel points on promoting adherence to 
Australia Group (AG) guidelines, enhanced outreach to key 
countries and relations with Syria to Bulent Meric, head of 
the Arms Control/Disarmament Department at MFA, on March 30. 
Meric responded that he would study our paper, but offered a 
preliminary objection to our proposal that AG participants 
not improve bilateral relations with Syria until Syria 
improves its chemical-biological weapons nonproliferation 
behavior.  Meric said that Turkey sought improved ties with 
Syria, while simultaneously urging the GOS to cease efforts 
to develop WMD.  He stated that dialogue with Syria gives 
Turkey the opportunity to press the case for Syria to adhere 
to international norms and to address our concerns on 
proliferation.  Meric contended that the GOT had consulted 
with Israel on this, and that the GOI was "satisfied" with 
Turkey's dialogue with Syria.  Econoff responded that the USG 
views continued Syrian proliferation efforts as incompatible 
with improved bilateral relations. 
EDELMAN