US embassy cable - 04ANKARA5180

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005180 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2014 
TAGS: CY, PREL, TU 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH TURKISH MFA DEPUTY U/S 
ILKIN, SEPTEMBER 13 
 
REF: ANKARA 5029 
 
(U) Classified by Ambassador Eric Edelman, E.O. 12958, 
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  Taking stock of Cyprus on September 13, 
Turkish MFA Deputy U/S  Ilkin expressed disappointment at the 
state of the EU's trade and aid proposals and the lack of a 
UNSCR endorsing the SYG's report; said UNFICYP's mandate 
should focus more on facilitating the flow of people and 
goods through border crossings; urged the U.S. to take 
measures to support the TCs; and expressed concern about 
future Greek Cypriot property compensation cases in the ECHR. 
 The Ambassador assured Ilkin that the U.S. is pressing ahead 
with measures for the TCs; reminded Ilkin that Turkey's 
efforts have removed Cyprus as a reason not to grant Turkey a 
date to begin accession negotiations; and suggested the Turks 
consider affirmative steps to preserve this achievement.  End 
Summary. 
 
Taking Stock of EU Measures 
--------------------------- 
 
2.  (C) Ilkin said he wanted to take stock of the Cyprus 
situation.  While the initial EU response after the 
referendum was positive, EU trade and aid proposals have been 
watered down at the Commission and COREPER.  The GCs, 
supported by the Greeks (and the French, Cyprus Department 
Head Bilman asserted in a later meeting), are trying to 
defeat the regulation for direct trade, which is the most 
important part of the package for TCs and Turkey.  On aid, 
the GCs are seeking to have funding go through them and to 
take out compensation and reparations for GCs.  Turkey knows 
the U.S. has limited influence in this process, Ilkin added, 
but we consider it important to keep the U.S. informed. 
 
The UNSC and UNFICYP 
-------------------- 
 
3.  (C) Ilkin said it is unfortunate that there is still no 
UNSCR endorsing the SYG's May report on the Good Offices 
Mission.  Some acknowledgment of the report is important to 
Turkey.  Ilkin still hopes the UNSC will incorporate the 
report's wording in some context. 
 
4.  (C) Noting the lack of violent incidents on the island, 
Ilkin said UNFICYP should change its focus to facilitating 
the flow of people and goods through the gates between north 
and south, which may not require as large a force as at 
present.  Turkey does no want any "surprises" regarding 
UNFICYP's mandate, he said pointedly, especially no 
enhancement of UNFICYP's role.  Ilkin urged that relations 
between UNFICYP and the TCs be "formalized," so the TCs feel 
"they have a say" with UNFICYP. 
 
Frustrated Turks Look to the U.S. on Measures for TCs 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
5.  (C) Ilkin said that PM Erdogan and FM Gul feel that 
nothing has come out of Turkey's efforts on Cyprus.  The 
Ambassador noted that FM Gul had expressed the same 
disappointment during their September 1 meeting (reftel). 
The GOT leadership feels the TCs are on the back burner, 
Ilkin continued.  Ilkin expressed appreciation for the U.S.'s 
"preliminary" efforts to reach out to the TCs, particularly 
amid election-year politics.  However, EU and Islamic 
counties are looking to see what the U.S. is doing for TCs. 
"We need to break this circle," he concluded. 
 
ECHR "Not Encouraging" 
--------------------- 
 
6.  (C) Ilkin said developments in the ECHR were not 
encouraging.  The GOT expects the Court to find an admissible 
Greek Cypriot property compensation case, leading to 
potentially-huge financial obligations for Turkey and the 
TCs.  Loizidou was supposed to be a one-time case, and Turkey 
cannot afford more such cases.  Ilkin fears Turkey is moving 
toward another deadlock with the ECHR.  The Ambassador 
pointed out that admissibility is not the end of the process: 
 Turkey can still argue that "TRNC" compensation mechanisms 
constitute an adequate avenue for remedies.  Ilkin agreed and 
predicted no definitive ECHR decision for another year and a 
half, but said the admissibility ruling will lead to other 
cases and create a political problem for the GOT. 
TCs Taking "Sober" Steps, GCs Working on "Gimmicks" 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
7.  (C) Ilkin cited "sober" steps by Talat since the April 
referendum:  opening the Bostanci crossing, opening the 
Karpas gymnasium, allowing phone service to start.  He 
contrasted them to what he called GC "gimmicks," e.g., the 
Varosha and Famagusta proposals. 
 
U.S. Pressing Ahead 
------------------- 
 
8.  (C) The Ambassador agreed that EU measures for TCs have 
not had the hoped-for results.  Nevertheless, the U.S. is 
pressing forward in Washington, Brussels and EU capitals, and 
on the island to end TCs' isolation.  U.S. funding for 
economic development in the north should reach the island by 
the end of the year.  The U.S. will also increase 
scholarships for TC students; is working on getting a 
positive results on direct flights amid a thicket of legal 
considerations; and is laying the ground work for trade in 
agricultural products. 
 
9.  (C) The Ambassador reminded Ilkin that, in an important 
sense, Turkey's Cyprus effort succeeded:  Cyprus has been 
removed from the EU's agenda as a reason not to grant Turkey 
a date to begin accession negotiations.  Turkey now needs to 
consider how to preserve that achievement.  The Ambassador 
suggested that the GOT consider what measures Ankara might be 
able to take to change the political atmosphere in the 
southern part of the island.  He asked whether FM Gul would 
be willing to meet with DISY leader Anastassiades; Ilkin 
undertook to look into it. 
EDELMAN