US embassy cable - 04ANKARA2898

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002898 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/24/2014 
TAGS: CY, PREL, TU 
SUBJECT: TURKS "NOT GETTING ANYWHERE" WITH RUSSIA ON CYPRUS 
 
 
REF: A. ANKARA 2839 
     B. ANKARA 2362 
 
 
(U) Classified by DCM Robert Deutsch, E.O. 12958, reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
 
1.  (C) Turkish MFA Cyprus Department Head Bilman told us May 
24 that the GOT expects no change in Russia's Cyprus policy, 
despite FM Gul's May 20 visit to Moscow.  Gul went to Moscow 
with an OIC delegation but met one-on-one with FM Lavrov to 
discuss Cyprus.  MFA U/S Ziyal told Ambassador Edelman May 18 
Gul hoped to convince the Russians not to block a favorable 
UNSCR after the SYG's Cyprus report (ref A).  Despite Gul's 
appeal, Bilman predicted "we're not going to get anywhere" 
with the Russians on Cyprus in the UNSC. 
 
 
2.  (C) Gul's visit is the latest in a series of high-level 
Turkish-Russian contacts on Cyprus.  Gul called Lavrov twice 
just prior to the April 24 referendum and once thereafter; 
PM Erdogan called Putin after the referendum.  Despite 
Turkey's efforts, Bilman concludes that there will be no 
substantive change in Russian's Cyprus policy.  On the 
question of a comprehensive settlement, Lavrov told Gul 
repeatedly the GOR considers the Annan Plan "only a draft" 
that does not take GC needs into account.  Bilman, who worked 
on Cyprus in the UN, predicted the GOR will continue its 
pro-GC policy in the upcoming UNSC session and on subsequent 
measures designed to help TCs. 
 
 
3.  (C) In the immediate aftermath of the referendum, the 
Turkish MFA told UNSC members it will not separate support on 
Cyprus from other aspects of bilateral relationships (ref B). 
 Despite that, Bilman said the MFA will try to prevent the 
GOR's Cyprus policy from impacting the relationship.  FM Gul 
is taking a "softer approach" to the Russian stance than PM 
Erdogan. 
EDELMAN