This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 005234 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2014 
TAGS: PREL CY TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH MFA NOT BUDGING ON STROVILIA, ASTROMERITIS 
 
REF: A. NICOSIA 1807 
 
     ¶B. 8 SEPT 2004 PALMER/BLAHA E-MAIL 
 
(U) Classified by Political Counselor John Kunstadter, E.O> 
12958, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1.  (C) Pursuant to refs a and b, we met with Turkish MFA 
Cyprus Department Head Bilman September 13 and urged the GOT 
to resolve outstanding UNFICYP and other UN-related issues 
prior to finalization of the SYG report on the UNFICYP 
mandate.  In particular, we suggested:  lifting restrictions 
on UNFICYP movement in and around Strovilia; returning 
Strovilia to the pre-2000 status quo; working with the UN to 
identify and clear the minefield near the Astromeritis 
crossing;  increasing cooperation with the UN on the 
Committee of the Missing. 
 
¶2.  (C) Bilman rebuffed our approach.  He maintained that 
Strovilia and the related checkpoint are within the "TRNC." 
He asserted that there are no restrictions on UNFICYP 
movements in and around Strovilia.  Reading from the minutes 
of a meeting between UN DPKO Acting Deputy Director Weber and 
"Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces" General Memisoglu, Bilman 
claimed Weber had not been able to identify any such 
restrictions when asked by Memisoglu.  UNFICYP is free to use 
any checkpoint along the Green Line, Bilman added. 
 
¶3.  (C) Bilman claimed that neither the TGS nor the TCs 
planted the minefield near Astromeritis and that Turkey is 
cooperating fully with the Committee of the Missing, which he 
averred has already met three times in September. 
 
¶4.  (C) Comment:  Bilman's response partially reflects the 
GOT's diminished room for concessions in the face of the 
perceived lack of measures to support the TCs following the 
April referendum.  End Comment. 
EDELMAN