US embassy cable - 04ANKARA2231

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002231 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2014 
TAGS: CY, GR, PREL, TU 
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA LAYS OUT SERIOUS BUT FIXABLE PROBLEMS 
WITH DRAFT CYPRUS UNSCR 
 
(U) Classified by Ambassador Eric Edelman, E.O. 12958, 
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
 
1.  (C) This is an action request.  See paragraph 8. 
 
 
2.  (C) Summary:  In an April 20 meeting with Ambassador 
Edelman and UK Ambassador Westmacott Turkish MFA officials 
laid out objections to the timing and language of the draft 
UNSCR on Cyprus.  The Turks prefer a UNSCR be passed after 
the referendum but understand a pre-referendum resolution may 
help bring AKEL on board.  MFA officials are seriously 
concerned about implied reference to UNSCR 186; omission of 
references to the Treaties of Alliance and Guarantee and 
rights of guarantor powers; and implications that the new UN 
force will have "enforcement" power.  Failure to address 
these concerns might break the balance in Ankara, 
particularly with the military.  End Summary. 
 
 
3.  (C)  MFA Deputy U/S Ilkin said the timing of the UNSCR is 
premature; it should be after the referendum.  The Turks took 
Ambassador Edelman's point that the UNSCR is an effort to get 
the GCs, particularly AKEL, to yes. 
 
 
4.  (C) Taken as a whole, the MFA thinks several aspects of 
the draft fail to conform to the spirit and letter of the 
Annan Plan. 
 
 
5.  (C) Ilkin noted the draft UNSCR made refers to "all 
previous resolutions on Cyprus."  By implication, this 
includes UNSCR 186, which recognized the ROC as the sole 
government of Cyprus.  This, Ilkin argued, contradicts 
Annan's "virgin birth" concept.  Ilkin also noted that the 
draft makes no reference to the Treaties of Alliance and 
Guarantee.  This is a sensitive point for the Turkish 
military.  While the Turks prefer no reference to UNSCRs, 
Ambassador Edelman confirmed they will probably be satisfied 
on these two points if the text is changed to read "all 
relevant resolutions and treaties." 
 
 
6.  (C)  Ziyal and Ilkin both expressed concern about the 
draft's reference to Chapter VII.  Ilkin said this changes 
the UN force from a peacekeeping force to a "peace 
enforcement" force.  Cyprus Department Head Bilman noted that 
the draft preamble refers to "a strengthened United Nations 
operation to provide, inter alia, monitoring, verification 
and supervision" of implementation.  Bilman worries that the 
phrase "inter alia" could be taken to imply enforcement.  The 
draft also omits a footnote in the Annan Plan Bilman said was 
the subject of much bargaining in Burgenstock and  was 
crucial to gaining the Turkish military's assent:  "58. 
Observation:  The United Nations operation would not assume 
direct responsibility for the enforcement of law and order." 
 
 
7.  (C) We strongly recommend SCC Weston and USUN work 
together for the following changes to the draft UNSCR: 
 
 
-- Substitute the phrase "all relevant resolutions and 
treaties" for "all previous resolutions on Cyprus." 
 
 
-- Explicitly limit the reference to Chapter VII to the arms 
embargo and explicitly exclude its relevance to peacekeeping 
operations. 
 
 
-- Delete the phrase "inter alia" and insert a reference to 
footnote 58. 
 
 
8.  The MFA is sending us talking points detailing their 
objections and requested changes.  We will forward to the 
Department, Embassy Nicosia, and USUN as soon as we receive 
them. 
 
 
9.  (C) Comment:  Even if the referendum fails on the GC 
side, Ziyal worries this draft language, if unchanged, could 
haunt the Ankara consensus and provide ammunition for 
anti-solution forces in the military, bureaucracy and 
Parliament as Ankara tries to move forward on Cyprus after 
April 24.  We share his concerns.  End Summary. 
EDELMAN