US embassy cable - 04ANKARA6690

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006690 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, G. INL, INL/CTR, DRL, EUR/PGI, EUR/SE 
DEPARTMENT FOR VALERIE KWOK USAID E&E/ECA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2014 
TAGS: KCRM, PHUM, PGOV, SMIG, PREF, KWMN, TU, TIP IN TURKEY 
SUBJECT: TIP IN TURKEY: TGNA PASSES, PRESIDENT APPROVES IOM 
DUES BILL, MAD RUSH TO MEET DEADLINE PAYS OFF 
 
REF: A. ANK 6687 
 
     B. ANK 6688 
 
(U) Classified by Polcounselor John Kunstadter; reasons: E.O. 
12958 1.4 (b,d). 
 
1. (U) Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Foreign Affairs 
Committee Advisor Osman Ulukan confirmed press reports that 
the TGNA, on November 25, 2004, unanimously approved 
legislation appropriating the 154,000 Swiss Franc equivalent 
fee for Turkey's membership in the International Office on 
Migration (IOM).  The bill was immediately forwarded to 
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer for his final approval. 
Minutes before the annual application deadline and the start 
of the 88th Session of the IOM governing body in Geneva, IOM 
received the completed application, including the required 
funding authorization from Sezer's office. 
 
2. (U) According to press accounts issued by IOM spokesman 
Jean Philippe Chauzy and confirmed by IOM Ankara Chief of 
Mission Marielle Lindstrom, Turkey was admitted by unanimous 
vote November 30, 2004. 
 
3. (C) Turkey's last-minute scramble for new member nation 
status marks a major turnaround in the GOT's checkered, 
30-year relationship with IOM.  In the early 1970s, Turkey's 
first application was reportedly blocked by IOM member-nation 
Greece, a move that fueled past-TGNA Foreign Affairs 
Committee Chairman Kamran Inan's effective opposition to 
Turkish membership in the IOM until he left the TGNA in 2002. 
 
EDELMAN