US embassy cable - 05ANKARA3164

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 003164 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, TU, CY, PHUM, IR 
SUBJECT: CODEL KOLBE VISITS ANKARA, JUNE 2 
 
(U) Classified by Charge d'Affaires James Moore; reasons: 1.4 
(b,d). 
 
1. (C) Summary:  In a June 2 visit to Ankara, CODEL Kolbe met 
with FM Gul and Parliament Speaker Arinc.  Representative 
Kolbe reminded both Gul and Arinc of the importance of 
political leaders speaking out in support of our bilateral 
relationship.  Gul emphasized the "common values" he asserted 
the U.S. and Turkey share; reiterating these values will be 
the main agenda item during his and PM Erdogan's visit to 
Washington.  Gul was puzzled about why Turkey's direction 
would be questioned.  Arinc is confident Turkey will begin EU 
negotiations October 3 despite the French and Dutch 
referenda.  End Summary. 
 
FM and Deputy PM Gul 
-------------------- 
 
2. (C) FM Gul welcomed CODEL Kolbe and reviewed areas of 
bilateral cooperation.  In Iraq, Gul said both countries 
share the goal of democracy.  Gul called U.S.-Turkey 
relations a "strategic partnership" with the "shared values" 
of democracy and free markets.  Reiterating this "common 
vision" will be the main agenda item of his and PM Erdogan's 
upcoming visit to Washington, Gul said.  He noted Turkish and 
U.S. cooperation in NATO, Afghanistan, the Balkans, the IMF, 
and the Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative 
(BMENAI).  In the BMENAI context, Gul called Turkey an 
"example for Muslim and Central Asian countries." 
 
3.  (C) Gul promised that Turkey will continue to work 
closely with the U.S.  He expressed puzzlement about why 
Turkey's direction is being questioned, averring Turkey's 
direction is clear and its "strong link" with the U.S. will 
continue. 
 
4.  (C) In response to a question about Cyprus from 
Representative Price, Gul expressed appreciation for U.S. 
involvement in the Cyprus issue.  Turkey does not want the 
issue to remain "frozen" and PM Erdogan will meet with UNSYG 
Annan in New York June 9.  Gul noted his May 27 offer to lift 
all restrictions on the movement of people and goods in 
Cyprus and between Cyprus and Turkey.  He hoped progress on 
economic measures could pave the way for political progress. 
 
5.  (C) Representative Kolbe agreed that ending Turkish 
Cypriots' isolation is essential.  Noting the CODEL's recent 
meetings on Cyprus, Kolbe observed that lack of a settlement 
is stifling economic development, and both sides therefore 
have a stake in reaching a settlement. 
 
6.  (C) Kolbe expressed appreciation for Gul's remarks about 
bilateral relations but reminded Gul that he and other 
political leaders need to defend the U.S.-Turkey 
relationship.  Kolbe noted that members of the U.S. Congress 
have stood up for the relationship on the Armenian genocide 
and Cyprus issues, even when doing so was unpopular with some 
of their constituents. 
 
7.  (C) Representative Ackerman thanked Gul for Turkey's 
"protective relationship" with the Jewish community and its 
strong relations with Israel.  Gul said Turkey is helping in 
the Israel/Palestine peace process. 
 
Parliament Speaker Arinc 
------------------------ 
 
8. (C) Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Speaker Bulent 
Arinc thanked the delegation for their visit, describing his 
recent trip to the U.S. during which he met with U.S. House 
of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert, and emphasizing 
the importance of forty years of U.S.-Turkish relations. 
Arinc emphasized four key factors to improving U.S.-Turkish: 
1) more U.S. investment in Turkey, 2) more American tourists 
visiting Turkey, 3) more Turkish students studying in the 
U.S, and 4) developing strong inter-parliamentary relations 
and friendships.  Representative Kolbe told Arinc that 
Turkey's leaders should make a point of defending strong 
U.S.-Turkish relations. 
9. (C) Arinc stated that the recent referenda against the EU 
Constitution in France and the Netherlands were due to a 
number of factors, including expansion fatigue and hostility 
towards Turkey's EU membership.  He believes that some 
European political parties hype anti-Turkish sentiments for 
domestic political advantage.  He remains confident that 
Turkey will begin negotiations with the EU on October 3 and 
he commended the strong support the U.S. has given Turkey on 
the EU issue. 
10. (C) Arinc asserted that the GOT does not recognize the 
ecumenical status of the Istanbul-based Greek Orthodox 
Patriarch because this would violate the Lausanne Treaty. 
(Comment:  The Lausanne Treaty says simply that Turkey must 
protect the rights of non-Muslim minorities; it says nothing 
on the name or status of the Ecumenical Patriarch.  End 
Comment.)  He also stated that the GOT closed down the Halki 
Seminary in 1971 when all private religious schools were 
banned.  Arinc stated his wish that private religious schools 
would be legalized in Turkey.  He predicted Halki would be 
re-opened by the end of the year.  (Comment:  We see no 
current progress on this issue.  End Comment.) 
11. (C) In response to a question about the Iranian nuclear 
program, Arinc emphasized the importance of following a 
diplomatic path.  He stated that if the EU-3 and Iran are 
unable to resolve the problem, the matter should be referred 
to the UN.  He vaguely indicated that Turkey would be 
supportive.  He did not state that Turkey would support 
referring the matter to the UNSC or military action in 
conjunction with a UNSCR that found Iran in continued 
violation of the NPT. 
12.  (U) The delegation attended the TAIK 20th anniversary 
dinner the evening of June 2 in Istanbul, where Chairman 
Kolbe set a positive tone in his remarks, highlighting the 
importance of the U.S.-Turkish relationship to both 
countries. 
 
13. (U) CODEL Kolbe did not have an opportunity to clear this 
message. 
MOORE