US embassy cable - 04ANKARA2362

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002362 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2014 
TAGS: CY, GR, PREL, TU 
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA BRIEFS UNSC REPRESENTATIVES 
 
 
 (U) Classified by DCM Robert Deutsch, E.O. 12958, reasons 
1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  Turkish MFA Deputy U/S Ilkin urged UNSC 
country representatives on April 26 to support lifting the 
embargo on the "TRNC" and other measures to ameliorate the 
situation of the TCs following the GC "no" on April 24.  He 
said Turkey is not asking for recognition of the "TRNC." 
Ilkin said the Annan Plan effort is over and the idea of a 
second referendum is a "non-starter."  He noted that the SYG 
will brief the UNSC April 28 and requested support for a UNSC 
statement supporting the TCs, noting GC "intransigence," and 
emphasizing that the situation on the island has changed. 
End Summary. 
 
 
MFA Urges Measures to Help Turkish Cypriots, But Not 
Recognition 
 
 
2.  (C) Ilkin reviewed the history of the Cyprus problem, 
recent negotiations and the referendum.  Citing DeSoto's 
April 24 statement, he then urged lifting of the embargo 
against the "TRNC" and other measures designed to "give 
Turkish Cypriots a decent life."  Restrictions on air and sea 
traffic should be lifted; the "TRNC" should get assistance 
from international financial institutions; it should be able 
to participate in UN bodies like the UNDP and UNICEF; and be 
allowed to participate in international games and 
competitions. 
 
 
3.  (C) Ilkin pointedly noted that Turkey is not requesting 
international recognition for the "TRNC."  Recognition would 
be "ideal," but the GOT wants to be "realistic" and its first 
priority is helping the TCs. 
 
 
"The Annan Plan Exercise Has Come to an End" 
 
 
4. (C) Ilkin noted that under the terms of the Annan Plan the 
GC "no" renders it "null and void."  Ilkin declared the idea 
of a  second referendum, even if limited to the south, "a 
non-starter."  "The Annan Plan exercise has come to an end," 
he declared. 
 
 
5.  (C) Ilkin assesses that the GCs' goal is to "annex" TCs 
into the existing Republic of Cyprus and that the GCs are not 
ready for a new partnership.  Turkey and the TCs will never 
agree to this. 
 
 
April 28 UNSC Briefing 
 
 
6.  (C) Ilkin noted that the SYG will brief the UNSC on 
Cyprus on April 28.  He is uncertain what format the briefing 
will take, but he called for UNSC members to express support 
for the TCs, note GC "intransigence," and emphasize that the 
situation on Cyprus has changed.  Ilkin hopes the SYG's 
briefing will result in a UNSC statement containing those 
points because "people have short memories." 
 
 
7.  (C) Ilkin emphasized that Cyprus continues to be a 
critical issue for Turkey and that Turkey will judge its 
international friends by their degree of support for TCs. 
Support on Cyprus will not be separated from other aspects of 
bilateral relations; verbal support should be followed by 
acts. 
 
 
8.  (C) After the meeting, German Counselor Hassman noted 
that U/S Ziyal gave essentially the same briefing to EU 
members representatives earlier on April 26. 
EDELMAN