US embassy cable - 04ANKARA6845

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 006845 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2014 
TAGS: CY, PREL, TU 
SUBJECT: PUTIN REPORTEDLY PROMISES RUSSIAN UNSC SUPPORT FOR 
TURKEY ON CYPRUS 
 
 
Classified by Political Counselor John Kunstadter. E.O. 
12958, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  Putin promised Russian support for Turkey 
in the UNSC during meetings with Turkish President Sezer and 
PM Erdogan, according to Turkish MFA Cyprus Department Head 
Bilman.  FM Lavrov tried to backpedal, but Putin said he 
would call UNSYG Annan to express Russian support for the 
Good Offices Mission May report, including paragraph 93, 
which calls on the international community to end Turkish 
Cypriot isolation.  Bilman is skeptical that Putin's words 
will translate into action, but Turkey will be watching.  End 
Summary. 
 
2.  (C) In advance of Putin's December 5-6 Ankara visit 
(broader readouts, septel) we encouraged the MFA to raise 
with Putin Russian UNSC behavior on Cyprus-related issues. 
After the April 24 referendum, the MFA said Turkey will 
measure bilateral relations by how much each country supports 
Turkey -- or not -- on Cyprus.  We noted that Turkey 
apparently has never implemented this policy vis-a-vis Russia. 
 
3.  (C) According to Cyprus Department Head Bilman, both 
Sezer and Erdogan raised Cyprus with Putin (Bilman was 
present for the Sezer meeting outside the one-on-one 
portion).  Sezer asked for Russian UNSC support; Putin 
replied that Russia supports the May Good Offices Mission 
Report.  According to Bilman, in the one-on-one meeting with 
Sezer, Putin said he would call SYG Annan to express Russian 
support for the Report. 
 
4.  (C) With both delegations present, FM Lavrov intervened 
and tried to backpedal, asserting Russia has already been 
supportive of Turkish Cypriots.  Sezer cut him off and said 
Russia's positive approach should be reflected in its UNSC 
behavior, and that Turkey expects strong support on the 
Report, including paragraph 93.  Putin also reportedly 
promised Erdogan support on the Report (Bilman was not 
present at the Erdogan meeting, but received a readout 
quickly thereafter). 
 
5.  (C) Comment:  Noting the apparent divergent views between 
Putin and Lavrov, Bilman, who worked at the UN for four years 
on Cyprus issues, expressed skepticism that Putin's words 
will translate into acts at the UNSC.   Still, he thinks 
Putin got a clear message in Ankara.  In the wake of Sezer's 
push and Putin's promises, the Turks will be watching Russian 
UNSC behavior closely.  End Comment. 
EDELMAN