US embassy cable - 05ANKARA1070

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001070 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2015 
TAGS: PREL, TU, CY 
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA:  FAVORABLE TEXT IN UNFICYP REPORT MAY 
HELP EASE RESTRICTIONS 
 
 
(U) Classified by Political Counselor John Kunstadter, E.O. 
12958, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) In a February 25 conversation, Turkish MFA Acting DDG 
for Northeastern Mediterranean Affairs Bilman said he thinks 
favorable language in the next UNFICYP report could persuade 
the Turkish military to lift some restrictions on UNFICYP 
movements. 
 
2.  (C) Bilman asserts that he has been pressing to convince 
military authorities to lift restrictions on UNFICYP.  The UN 
Secretariat has informed the Turkish UN delegation the next 
 
SIPDIS 
UNFICYP report will be finalized in April.  Bilman said 
favorable language on two points will "boost" his efforts to 
get restrictions lifted: 
 
-- A clear statement that UN authorities consulted with 
Turkish Cypriots.  Bilman pointed to the phrase in paragraph 
2 of the September 2004 report saying that the Secretariat 
team "sought the views of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish 
Cypriot sides" and called this "very important." 
 
-- A statement that Turkish Cypriots either "agreed" or "had 
no objections" to UN proposals.  Ideally, the Turks would 
like to see the word "consented," but Bilman admitted this 
might be too strong to garner agreement. 
EDELMAN