VZCZCXYZ0020
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAK #0290 0461404
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 151404Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5244
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY 1952
RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA PRIORITY 0027
RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU PRIORITY 1557
RUEHCH/AMEMBASSY CHISINAU PRIORITY 0505
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 1015
RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV PRIORITY 0036
RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY 3138
RUEHYE/AMEMBASSY YEREVAN PRIORITY 1324

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000290 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT. FOR EUR/SE, EUR/SCE, AND EUR/CARC 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2018 
TAGS: PREL TU RU GG YI AA
SUBJECT: TURKEY PREPARED TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVAR INDEPENDENCE, 
AND WILL SEEK TO CALM MOSCOW 
 
REF: A. STATE 14840 
 
     ¶B. STATE 13716 
     ¶C. ANKARA 236 
 
Classified By: PolCouns Janice G. Weiner for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The GOT will recognize an independent Kosovo 
soon after the Quint and the U.S.  GOT officials remain 
uncertain whether Kosovars will declare independence over the 
weekend, or merely announce a date on which they will 
proclaim their independence.  Regardless, they are expecting 
an announcement on February 17 at 16:00 local time (14:00 
GMT) and hope to learn of Quint and U.S. reaction soon 
thereafter.  The Turks agree that Kosovo is not a precedent 
for other independence movements, like Abkhazia.  They 
believe the Russians are not serious about recognition of 
Abkhazian independence, but are using threats in an attempt 
to deter the U.S. and others from moving forward with 
recognition of Kosovo.  FM Babacan will visit Moscow February 
19 and plans to use his meetings there to urge calm and 
counsel against Russian overreaction.  END SUMMARY 
 
¶2. (C) DCM delivered Ref A points to MFA Deputy U/S for 
Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa, and East Asia Unal 
Cevikoz February 15 regarding Russian threats to recognize an 
independent Abkhazia.  Cevikoz agreed that Kosovo is not a 
precedent for Abkhazia and described Putin's threats as empty 
and merely an attempt to deter recognition of Kosovo.  Noting 
the effort Russia undertook to secure the right of Sochi to 
host the 2014 Winter Olympics, as well as Russia's ongoing 
problems with its own independence movements in the Caucasus, 
Cevikoz said he does not think it is realistic that Putin 
would seriously consider recognition of Abkhazian 
independence.  FM Babacan will be in Moscow on February 19 
and will use the visit to speak frankly with the Russians, 
urging them to avoid overreaction on Kosovo.  The Turks will 
also seek to reassure the Georgians. 
 
¶3. (C) In a separate February 15 meeting, MFA DDG for Balkans 
Hasan Asan reiterated to us Turkey's intention to recognize 
independent Kosovo shortly after the Quint and the United 
States (Refs B and C).  Asan said the Turks expect an 
announcement around 1600 local time (1400 GMT) on February 17 
from Pristina.  What they don't know is whether the 
announcement will be a formal declaration of independence, or 
an announcement of an intention to proclaim independence on a 
specific later date (o/a March 9).  Asan said senior GOT 
officials, including PM Erdogan and FM Babacan, are anxious 
to offer Turkish recognition of Kosovo, adding that MFA has 
been urging that they hold back until just after the Quint 
and the U.S. announce recognition to avoid the worst of the 
expected Serb backlash.  The Serbian ambassador in Ankara has 
already packed his bags and is preparing to depart for an 
indefinite period following announcement of Turkish 
recognition.  Asan said the GOT has urged the Serbs not to 
make the Ambassador's recall a long-term endeavor, based on 
the Turks' own experience that lack of ground truth makes it 
increasingly difficult to draw accurate conclusions and make 
policy decisions. 
 
¶4. (C) Asan showed us a photo of what he believes will likely 
become the new Kosovo flag, an outline of Kosovo in gold, set 
on a blue background with six white stars arching above. 
Nine tons of flags are being produced by a company in 
Istanbul and await delivery to Pristina.  Turkish Airlines is 
prepared to make the delivery free of charge when given the 
go-ahead by the Kosovars.  Asan said he would be "camping 
out" in the ministry all weekend and will be looking forward 
to hearing from us on U.S. intentions.  We pledged to pass on 
our message of recognition to Asan and the GOT upon receipt 
from the Department. 
 
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey 
 
WILSON