US embassy cable - 04ANKARA2839

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002839 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2014 
TAGS: CY, PREL, TU 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADORS EDELMAN AND WESTMACOTT'S MAY 18 
MEETING WITH TURKISH MFA U/S ZIYAL 
 
 (U) Classified by Ambassador Eric Edelman, E.O. 12958, 
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
 
1.  (C) During a May 19 meeting with Ambassador Edelman and 
UK Ambassador Westmacott, Turkish MFA U/S Ziyal and Deputy 
U/S Ilkin urged USUN and the UK UN delegation to stay in 
close touch with the Turkish delegation as the UNSC 
considered action after the SYG's report.  The Turks expect a 
generally favorable report.  They are relying on U.S. and UK 
help for a favorable UNSCR and are working UNSC member 
states.  However, they appear to be realistic about the 
difficulty of getting what they want in a UNSCR.  Ziyal and 
Ilkin stressed Turkey's commitment to a settlement, but said 
Turkey will proceed step-by-step, focusing first on the UN, 
then on getting a date to begin EU accession negotiations, 
while continuing to press for measures to ease the TCs' 
isolation.  Ambassador Edelman told the Turks the U.S. is 
preparing steps to reach out to the TCs.  End Summary. 
 
 
 
 
2.  (C) Ziyal urged the U.S. to stay in close touch with the 
GOT in New York during the issuance of the SYG's report and 
resultant UNSCR.  The GOT is "treading water" until the 
report comes out, staying in the background and encouraging 
Talat and Denktash to be visible.  Ziyal anticipates a 
generally favorable report, similar to the report after the 
Hague.  The report will mention past Turkish/TC intransigence 
but praise current leadership.  Ziyal predicted it will 
support an end to TC isolation but not recognition of the 
"TRNC."  Ilkin said the Turks needed a favorable report "to 
defend ourselves" with the EU. 
 
 
3.  (C) Ziyal said Turkey is relying on U.S. and UK help for 
a favorable UNSCR.  The Turks are working UNSC ambassadors 
and capitals.  FM Gul will travel to Russia to meet with FM 
Lavrov; Cyprus will be the main topic.  The Turks are also 
contemplating a followup call from Erdogan to Putin; 
Ambassador Edelman observed that an approach to Putin is 
likely to be most effective.  Ziyal will approach France and 
Spain.  Ilkin is traveling to Beijing, and will be in contact 
with the Chileans and other UNSC members. 
 
 
4.  (C) However, Ilkin is realistic about the UNSC and doubts 
the UNSCR will give the GOT all it wants.  Depending on how 
weak the UNSCR is, he said the GOT may prefer a Presidential 
Statement.  In any event, Ilkin reiterated Ziyal's request 
that USUN and the UK UN delegation stay in close touch with 
the Turkish delegation during the process.  Ilkin claimed 
Turkey was "kept in the dark" during the process leading up 
to the April 29 press statement. 
 
 
5.  (C) Ziyal and Ilkin both stressed that the GOT has not 
given up its goal of a comprehensive settlement and a united 
island.  Ilkin explained that Turkey is adopting a 
step-by-step approach, focusing now on the UN, then on 
getting a date to begin EU accession talks.  He said Ankara 
has not yet decided how to proceed after December; Ziyal 
predicted Turkey will "plod ahead" toward a settlement.  Good 
results in the UN and EU, and measures to help the TCs, will 
help preserve Ankara's consensus for settlement. 
 
 
6.  (C) Ambassador Edelman told Ziyal that the U.S. is still 
preparing symbolic and substantive steps to reach out to the 
TCs.  The Secretary's meeting with Talat is the first step; 
others are working their way through our interagency process. 
 The U.S. still considers the Annan Plan the best opportunity 
for a settlement and opposes re-opening negotiations.  Our 
steps toward the TCs will help them prepare to live in a 
united Cyprus.  Ambassador Edelman urged the Turks to push 
Talat to remove the passport requirement for GCs.  He also 
informed Ziyal that Papadopoulos will travel to the U.S. in 
early June. 
 
 
7.  (C) Ziyal and Ilkin confirmed press reports that Ziyal 
will be Ambassador to Rome (he said he will probably leave 
after the NATO Summit), Ilkin will go to the UN, and Deputy 
U/S Ali Tuygan will replace Ziyal. 
EDELMAN