US embassy cable - 04ANKARA6099

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006099 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2014 
TAGS: CY, PREL, TU 
SUBJECT: MFA CYPRUS DEPARTMENT HEAD ON CUSTOMS UNION 
PROTOCOL AND THE DIFFICULTIES OF MORE CYPRUS CONCESSIONS 
 
REF: A. ANKARA 5827 
 
     B. ANKARA 5820 
 
(U) Classified by Political Counselor John Kunstadter, E.O. 
12958, reasons 1,4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary:   In an October 25 meeting, Turkish MFA 
Cyprus Department Head Bilman again insisted the GOT does not 
need to sign a protocol to extend the Customs Union to 
Cyprus.  According to Bilman, EU embassies in Ankara have 
raised the idea of additional Turkish concessions on Cyprus 
but none has yet pressed concessions as a requirement for a 
positive answer on December 17.  Bilman's initiative to have 
the Turks/TCs ease UNFICYP restrictions failed to get 
approved up the line, and lack of a "TRNC government" is 
hindering GOT movement on Cyprus.  End Summary. 
 
Turks Claim No Need to Sign Customs Union Protocol 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
2.  (C) Bilman again insisted (ref A) that Turkey does not 
need to sign a protocol in order to extend the Customs Union 
to the ROC; he claimed it had already taken effect through 
changes in Turkish internal regulations.  Bilman said that 
Turkey did not sign one when Austria, Finland and Sweden 
joined the EU.  He added that although Turkey did sign one 
when Greece, Portugal and Spain joined, those countries did 
not ratify it in time and the protocol was later withdrawn. 
 
No EU Demands for Additional Turkish Moves on Cyprus -- Yet 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
 
3.  (C) Bilman said that from his viewpoint, there is 
confusion in Ankara over whether EU members will insist on 
additional Turkish concessions on Cyprus before December 17. 
EU embassies here have raised recognition of the ROC, troop 
withdrawals, and opening ports and air corridors with the 
Turks.  However, no EU embassy here has yet pressed the Turks 
for Cyprus concessions as a condition for a positive response 
in December.  On the EU's aid proposal for the north, Bilman 
said that the MFA and Talat thought current proposed 
conditions on aid are too restrictive.  Bilman predicted FM 
Gul will favor rejecting the aid altogether if the proposed 
conditions remained intact. 
 
Lifting UNFICYP Restrictions Gets Axed in Ankara 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
4.  (C) Bilman said that he and others (NFI) were 
unsuccessful when they raised the idea of easing UNFICYP 
restrictions (ref B) in Ankara.  Those who favored lifting 
the restrictions argued this would not be a concession to 
Greek Cypriots, since GCs already are allowed to pass through 
the gates.  Those opposed argued, illogically but 
successfully, that Turks and Turkish Cypriots have still seen 
no benefits from their pro-settlement stance and they should 
make no other concessions. 
 
Turks Without A "TRNC" Interlocutor 
----------------------------------- 
 
5. (C) Bilman said the Talat "government's" resignation means 
"we do not have an interlocutor" in the north.  Bilman asked 
rhetorically whom the GOT can call if it wants to make a 
decision affecting the north.  He predicted the lack of a 
"TRNC government" will seriously impede Turkish/TC 
cooperation, particularly any "forward movement." 
EDELMAN