US embassy cable - 04ANKARA2834

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002834 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2014 
TAGS: PREL, KISL, TU 
SUBJECT: INVITATION TO PM ERDOGAN TO G-8 SUMMIT AT SEA 
ISLAND 
 
REF: STATE 110188 
 
 
(U) Classified by Ambassador Eric S. Edelman.  Reasons:  1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
 
1.  (SBU) Per reftel, May 20 Ambassador delivered invitation 
to Prime Minister Erdogan to attend Sea Island G-8 Summit for 
GME lunch on June 9.  Ambassador stressed our appreciation 
for the constructive Turkish contribution to work on the 
Democracy Assistance Group and willingness to be a 
co-sponsor.  He told Erdogan Turkey would be participating in 
the initiative as a co-sponsor in the same status as all the 
EU non-G-8 members.  Erdogan asked about the other non-G-8 
participants in the lunch, and noted that they all were 
"target" countries.  Erdogan was departing for Romania 
immediately after the discussion, but he promised a response 
to the invitation upon his return to Turkey on May 21. 
 
 
2.  (C) Comment:  The Turks are clearly still concerned about 
the optics of their participation in GME events.  They are 
sensitive to anything that seems to make them look like a 
"target."  It would be helpful to assure them that the 
distinction will be clear, particularly to the press, in the 
arrangements for the event itself.  End Comment. 
EDELMAN