US embassy cable - 05ANKARA3500

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 003500 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, UZ, TU 
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA ON UZBEKISTAN 
 
REF: A. TASHKENT 1713 
 
     B. STATE 110631 
 
(U) Classified by Political Counselor John Kunstadter, E.O. 
12958, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  The Turkish MFA issued one bland statement 
about Andijon and called in the Uzbek Ambassador shortly 
after the killings.  Although DDG Karslioglu asserts that the 
Turkish statement was a strong message on human rights, MFA 
Uzbekistan Department Head doubts that Uzbek diplomats here 
accurately relay Turkey's views.  We urged the MFA to issue 
its own statement calling for an independent investigation 
into the Andijon killings.  End Summary. 
 
MFA Statement 
------------- 
 
2.  (C) According to Uzbekistan Department Head Cevik, whom 
we spoke to June 17, the Turkish MFA only issued one 
statement about Uzbekistan, on May 15.  The statement 
expressed "great sorrow" about "Uzbek citizens' and security 
officials' losing their lives" in Andijon; disapproved of 
"use of weapons by armed groups against security officials"; 
called on the GOU to treat protesters and civilians "with 
moderation"; and urged the GOU to take steps toward 
democratization, compliance with international norms and 
human rights. 
 
3.  (C) In May, Caucasus and Central Asia DDG Karslioglu, 
Cevik's boss, tried to portray this statement to us as a 
strong, first-ever official Turkish expression of the 
importance of human rights in Uzbekistan.  In addition to the 
statement, Karslioglu told us the MFA had called in the Uzbek 
Ambassador once, shortly after the Andijon incident.  Cevik 
said the MFA informally pressed Uzbek diplomats in Ankara on 
the need for democratization and the Uzbeks agreed privately, 
but she speculated they were too intimidated to accurately 
transmit Turkey's views to Karimov. 
 
Uzbekistan Department Head on International Investigation 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
4.  (C) Cevik told us that the GOT is having difficulty 
getting the full picture of the Andijon events.  She said 
Turkey "in principle" supports the idea of international 
organizations looking into the matter in a fair and 
transparent way; she doubts the GOU investigation will be 
fair. 
 
5.  (C) Cevik acknowledged Turkey itself has not yet called 
for an independent international investigation.  We reminded 
her that FM Gul had discussed Central Asia and specifically 
Uzbekistan with Secretary Rice (ref B), and said we would 
like to see a Turkish statement supporting an independent 
international investigation, in addition to Turkish support 
expressed in international organizations.  Cevik herself 
expressed support for the idea and said she would convey it 
to her superiors. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
6. (C) The Turkish MFA was caught unprepared by the Andijon 
killings and, although our GOT interlocutors, including 
FonMin Gul, have expressed unease at the actions of the Uzbek 
authorities, Turkey has shown no inclination to help take the 
lead in calling for an independent international 
investigation. 
MCELDOWNEY