US embassy cable - 02ANKARA8108

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 008108 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/08/2012 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PINS, ECON, AA, POLITICAL PARTIES 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S INITIAL MEETING WITH AK PARTY 
CHAIRMAN ERDOGAN 
 
(U) Classified by Ambassador W.R. Pearson; reasons: 1.5 (b,d). 
 
 
1. (C) Summary: Ambassador met with victorious AK Party 
leader Erdogan for first post-election visit.  He 
complimented AK on its constructive electoral campaign and 
victory and noted U.S. readiness to work with the new AK 
government.  U.S. seeks stronger bilateral economic ties and 
urges AK to follow a market-credible economic policy; will 
continue to promote Turkey's EU candidacy; prefers a peaceful 
solution on Iraq but expects Turkey's support if UN track 
fails; urges AK to help pursue a Cyprus settlement before EU 
Copenhagen Summit; and is ready to share information to help 
AK formulate its policies.  Responding constructively on Iraq 
and Cyprus and favorably to the offer of further 
consultations, AK chairman Erdogan emphasized the priorities 
of EU candidacy; steps to ease economic difficulties; and 
government reform and anti-corruption measures.  End summary. 
 
 
2. (C) In a 45-minute call Nov. 7 on victorious AK Party 
chairman Erdogan, Ambassador noted that the White House had 
welcomed the democratic nature of Turkey's Nov. 3 election 
and recognized the overwhelming nature of AK's victory.  The 
USG looks forward to working with the new government in every 
aspect of our strategic relationship. 
 
 
3. (C) Complimenting Erdogan on the constructive nature of 
AK's campaign, which had focused on the five themes of 
economic prosperity, EU candidacy, democratic reforms and 
human rights, enhancing government efficiency, and tackling 
corruption, the Ambassador laid out U.S. views: 
 
 
--AK's decision to travel to EU capitals to promote Turkey's 
candidacy is an excellent initiative.  In this regard, the 
Embassy would be pleased to provide USG assessments of where 
EU member states stand regarding Turkey (Erdogan accepted the 
offer readily). 
 
 
--The U.S. wants to work on developing trade, investment, and 
energy relations to help restore Turkey to solid economic 
growth.  The Turkish markets are rallying on expectation that 
AK will follow sound policies, but it is well to note that 
the markets could react sharply negatively if they see 
negative developments.  Once the government is formed, it 
could be useful for AK to send party reps to the U.S. to 
explain the party's programs and views in Washington and 
elsewhere. 
 
 
--The current GOT has not met commitments to the IMF on the 
budget's primary surplus.  As a result there is likely to be 
a $1 billion additional financing burden which could greet 
the new government.  AK might want to press the bureaucracy 
to take the required steps now to close the gap. 
 
 
--On Iraq, the UNSC is close to adopting a very firm 
resolution which, if backed by world public opinion, could 
help achieve peaceful disarmament of Iraq's WMD.  Through 
close consultations the U.S. has demonstrated that it takes 
Turkey's concerns seriously on every matter. We will keep the 
GOT fully informed to ensure no surprises and hope to be able 
to work as partners on that issue.  If in the end we are 
unable to get the help we need from the UN, we will look to 
our friends for support as we apply the right of self defense 
to protect ourselves.  The Embassy stands ready to provide 
additional details to AK. 
 
 
--Regarding Cyprus, there is still time before the EU 
Copenhagen Summit to find a solution; we will keep AK fully 
informed on U.S. thinking; a solution would bring benefits on 
a number of other questions. 
 
 
--President Bush will take advantage of the Prague Summit to 
press EU member states on behalf of Turkey's candidacy; if 
the new GOT could be in place by the time of Prague, it would 
have a strong impact. 
 
 
4. (C) Congratulating the Republican Party for its success in 
U.S. elections and noting the importance to AK of continued 
strong relations with the U.S., Erdogan emphasized the 
following: 
 
 
--U.S. support for Turkey's EU candidacy is highly 
appreciated.  Contrary to his former opposition to the EU, he 
now realizes that Turkey must enter (although, he added, the 
presence of three million Turks in Western Europe means 
Turkey is already there).  AK wants to speed up 
implementation of all relevant changes, which are supported 
by President Sezer as well; a date for accession negotiations 
will accelerate the pace of change.  AK appreciates what 
President Bush is ready to do on Turkey's behalf at Prague; 
President Sezer will also lobby vigorously there; 
unfortunately, Turkish post-election procedures will not 
permit formation of the new GOT by Nov. 22. 
 
 
--It is incumbent on the new government to remedy the 
unemployment and other severe economic difficulties faced by 
Turks across the country.  This is an enormous 
responsibility; indeed, AK must tackle the challenge alone as 
a single-party government, one of the disadvantages of 
winning such a sweeping victory.  In this regard, AK wants 
increased trade opportunities in the U.S., not aid.  Higher 
exports would mean more jobs and growth and enable Turkey to 
pay off its IMF debts.  AK wants Turkey to be a creditor 
country, not a debtor. 
 
 
--AK sees the need to reestablish mutual confidence among 
Turkish institutions; the lack of confidence stems from 
corruption, which has reached unimaginable proportions and 
against which AK will take serious steps.  AK also aims 
sharply to reduce the number of ministerial portfolios. 
Erdogan will summon AK M.P.s in several days to agree to his 
plan to sell off the State-provided housing for M.P.s.  As a 
further revenue enhancing measure, "one which could plug the 
primary surplus gap", AK wants to sell off as much as 
possible of the vast State holdings of real estate and 
facilities. 
 
 
--It is essential for AK to make itself known directly, not 
allow its image to be set by a tendentious Turkish press.  In 
this regard, AK would definitely like to discuss arrangements 
for its officials to visit Washington even before the 
government is established. 
 
 
--Concerning Iraq, AK agrees that the best solution is a 
peaceful one.  At the same time, AK wants to see Iraq 
disarmed of WMD and shares U.S. unease about the nature of 
the Saddam regime.  In a similar vein AK would not want to 
see another 9/11; neither Islam nor any other religion 
condones terrorism; we need a common global platform against 
terrorism. 
 
 
--AK wants to see a just, lasting solution for Cyprus, namely 
an equally sovereign bizonal state; if the U.S. uses its 
weight, then a solution is possible. 
 
 
5. (U) Erdogan and the Ambassador showed an easy rapport 
during an uncontroversial 15-minute post-meeting press 
briefing.  AK senior foreign policy advisor/former career 
Ambassador Yakis and Embassy polcounselor (notetaker) also 
attended the meeting. 
PEARSON