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RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL PRIORITY 0119
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM PRIORITY 1813

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000095 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2020 
TAGS: PREL TU UNSC
SUBJECT: USUN AND TURKISH MISSIONS EXCHANGE VIEWS ON ISSUES 
BEFORE SECURITY COUNCIL 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Alejandro D. Wolff, Deputy Permanent 
Representative, for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (U) This is an action request.  Please see para 27. 
 
¶2. (C)  SUMMARY. Turkish Permrep Apakan and DPR Corman and 
Ambassadors Wolff and DiCarlo engaged in a wide ranging 
discussion of issues before the Security Council at lunch on 
February 5. They covered Cyprus, the Horn of Africa, Iraq, 
the Middle East, Iran, and the Balkans, among other topics. 
On Cyprus talks, Apakan said that Turkey strongly supports 
the SYG's good offices role and that these efforts deserve 
higher visibility.  He asked that the U.S. remain engaged and 
support the UN when things move to a more critical stage. 
Apakan wants to discuss the Cyprus issue bilaterally with 
USUN "from time to time."  On Somalia, Apakan reported that 
Turkey has expressed interest in hosting a UN conference on 
reconstruction and development, as called for in the Djibouti 
Accords, and hopes to work closely with the U.S.  Apakan also 
reported that Ankara has put on hold a request from the 
Eritrean FM to visit Turkey but will reconsider if more 
encouraging signals from Asmara emerge.  Apakan announced 
that Turkey would host a summit of least developed countries 
in 2011 and counted on U.S. support for the event. Apakan 
told Ambassadors Wolff and DiCarlo that Iraq had invited him 
for a visit in his capacity as chair of the Security Council 
committee on counter-terrorism.  He was favorably disposed 
but wanted U.S. views.  Ambassador DiCarlo welcomed the news, 
noting that the Iraqis had never formally responded to UN 
A/SYG Fernandez Taranco's offer of technical assistance from 
the committee's executive directorate (CTED) following the 
bombings in Baghdad in August and September of 2009. Apakan 
pressed for a U.S. decision to join the Alliance for 
Civilizations, underscoring that alliance objectives match 
President Obama's Cairo speech. 
 
¶3. (C) SUMMARY CONTINUED: Apakan said he wants a consensus 
resolution on the Middle East and has been frustrated by the 
Council's lack of action. He explained the reasons behind 
Turkey's surprise statement in the Council at the end of 2009 
criticizing Israeli actions in Gaza, insisting he was acting 
on far tougher instructions to mark the incursion's one year 
anniversary. Ambassador Wolff expressed concern that this 
episode along with others caused some to think Turkey's 
traditionally astute foreign policy toward the region was 
changing. Apakan disputed the policy shift. We are focused on 
the West and the EU, and value our relationship with Israel, 
he said. "We continue on our path to be a secular, modern, 
pluralistic society in the image of Ataturk. We know we have 
no other option."  Apakan committed to raising with USUN 
difficult instructions from Ankara in the future to avoid 
misunderstandings.  Wolff applauded this, noting that the 
U.S. wants to work closely with Turkey to manage these 
challenges. On Iran, Apakan said he understands U.S. 
concerns, opposes Iran's approach to nuclear issues, but 
hopes a diplomatic solution is still possible. Turkey is 
talking to Iran "at all levels" to convince them to change 
course, he said.  Ambassador Wolff reported that preliminary 
discussions were under way among the P-5-plus-one in capitals 
on appropriate measures as Iran has been unwilling to resolve 
the outstanding issues with dialogue. Wolff told Apakan that 
it would be very important for Turkey to stand with the U.S. 
Apakan and DiCarlo agreed that the U.S. and Turkey shared 
views on Kosovo and Bosnia Herzegovina, particularly with 
respect to the transition from the Office of the High 
Representative (OHR) to an EU Special Representative (EUSR) 
in B-H. Apakan urged that the U.S. and Turkey consult closely 
in New York on Balkan developments. On Haiti, Turkey will 
contribute a formed policy unit to MINUSTAH.  Finally, Apakan 
noted that Turkey plans to hold a Security Council summit 
during their September presidency on the margins of the UNGA 
general debate and is soliciting U.S. views on topics that 
would attract heads of state and be helpful to the Council's 
work. END SUMMARY. 
 
¶4. (C)  On February 5, Turkish PermRep Apakan, Deputy PermRep 
Corman and First Counselor Gumrukcu hosted Ambassadors Wolff 
and DiCarlo and USUN Pol Minister Counselor (notetaker) for a 
lunch to discuss Security Council issues. Apakan opened by 
declaring that the U.S.-Turkish partnership continued to 
grow.  He highlighted close bilateral ties and the importance 
 
 
of the U.S. to Turkey. Our main operating assumption on the 
Security Council, he said, is to maximize cooperation with 
the U.S.  Ambassador Wolff responded that the U.S. and Turkey 
have a uniquely positive history and relationship, and he 
looked forward to a frank and collegial exchange as friends 
on key issues in the Council and elsewhere. 
 
CYPRUS 
 
¶5. (C) Apakan said that the recent visit of the Secretary 
General was important (the first since Kofi Annan in 2004), 
and that Turkey had encouraged Ban to go and strongly 
supports the UN role.  Apakan stressed that the Cypriot issue 
should not be left to the EU which could not offer a balanced 
perspective with Cyprus and Greece as members.  That said, he 
underscored that Ankara likes, appreciates and respects Greek 
PM Papandreou.  We have to give Mr. Papandreou a chance, he 
said.  Apakan observed that talks between "the communities" 
were moving and Turkey would do its best to encourage this. 
However, Turkey needs the U.S. to remain engaged and to 
support the UN when things move to a more critical stage. 
 
¶6. (C) Apakan lamented the shift in terminology and language 
in recent UN resolutions and statements away from the good 
offices mission of the SYG, established in UNSCR 1250 (1999), 
and toward UNFICYP's role (note: UNFICYP is in Cyprus without 
the consent of Turkey. End note) outlined in UNSCR 1251 
(1999).  He observed that "many on the Council" (he mentioned 
Austria, in particular) continue to want the UN role 
diminished.  The UN good offices mission deserves higher 
visibility, he said.  He reiterated that Turkey wanted the 
U.S. to be involved "when things start to move." We do not 
want to vote against the next UNFICYP renewal if it can be 
avoided, he said.  To the extent the "UN language" is 
reinforced, we are happy.  To the extent it is changed, we 
are unhappy.  Apakan requested that he and his team discuss 
Cyprus on a bilateral basis with USUN from time to time, and 
hoped that his office and USUN could remain in close touch on 
it. 
 
¶7. (C) Ambassador Wolff assured Apakan that the U.S. 
supported the UN's role and good offices mission.  While 
noting that the issue was in good hands with UN U/SYG Lynn 
Pascoe, Wolff said that the UN would receive U.S. support on 
Cyprus in any manner they want or need it. Wolff offered to 
review the issue of the "language shift" in UN resolutions, 
but underscored that rollover/renewal resolutions tend not to 
break new ground.  He cautioned Apakan not to focus too much 
on it. The real issue is how to move the negotiations 
forward. Apakan took the point. 
 
HORN OF AFRICA 
 
¶8. (C) Somalia: Apakan said that Turkey was following U.S. 
positions on Somalia and Eritrea.  On Somalia, he indicated 
that Turkey wanted to be helpful to the TFG which was trying 
to reach out to the various groups on the ground.  To support 
these efforts, Turkey initially was thinking of proposing an 
international conference in Istanbul with the relevant 
parties.  According to Apakan, both the Somalis and the UN 
discouraged the idea (note: also according to Apakan, 
Department officials questioned the timing although not the 
idea) so Turkey has backed off.  However, the UN came back 
with a counterproposal.  SRSG Ould Abdullah suggested that 
Turkey consider hosting a UN conference on reconstruction and 
development with the relevant international actors, as called 
for in the Djibouti Accords. Ould Abdullah told the Turks 
that UN offices in Nairobi (UNPOS) had already begun working 
on modalities although this was still in a preliminary stage. 
Apakan said Turkey was not in a hurry but believed his 
government was uniquely positioned to be helpful to Somalia 
and wanted to work closely with the U.S. on this initiative. 
He requested that he and Ambassadors Rice, Wolff and DiCarlo 
have further discussions. Ambassador DiCarlo expressed 
support for Turkey's role and initiative.  She agreed with 
Apakan that a donors conference was not advisable, but 
suggested that the event Turkey hoped to organize could be 
used to encourage the pledges made in Brussels. 
 
¶9. (C) Eritrea: Apakan said that the Eritrean foreign 
minister had recently expressed an interest in visiting 
 
 
Turkey.  Ankara was making an assessment on how to respond. 
Turkish thinking was that Eritrea needed more avenues to 
reach out to, although initial feelers with Eritrea had 
yielded little. Eritrean officials were saying the same 
things and showing little flexibility, according to Apakan. 
He speculated that "looming sanctions" could change the 
dynamic. Apakan said that Ankara remained in a holding 
pattern and informed the Eritreans that their Foreign 
Minister's schedule made a visit difficult.  Apakan said that 
Ankara would re-visit the Eritrean request if signals from 
Asmara began to change.  Turkey wants to stay in close touch 
with the U.S. on this, he said, and would welcome any 
reaction or ideas from the U.S.  Amb. Wolff undertook to 
report this to Washington and seek any reaction. 
 
LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES SUMMIT 
 
¶10. (C) Apakan previewed that Turkey would host a summit of 
least developed countries (LDCs) in 2011.  The LDC nations 
want Turkey to advocate for them, he said, and at some point 
soon, Apakan and his team will want to discuss the event with 
USUN and visit Washington as well. He hoped he could count on 
U.S. support. Ambassador Wolff expressed appreciation for 
Turkey's willingness to assist the LDCs. He noted that the 
U.S. has its own dialogue with them and wants to be an 
advocate as well, given the unique difficulties they face. 
Wolff and Apakan agreed that both countries should work to 
make the summit a success, and not politicized and hijacked 
by others looking for a less constructive outcome. Apakan 
reiterated that he wanted increased contacts with the U.S. on 
this. 
 
IRAQ 
 
¶11. (C) Apakan said that he wanted to give more visibility to 
the work of the Security Council Committee established 
pursuant to UNSCR 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism. 
He reported that he had recently received a note verbal from 
Iraq with an invitation to visit Baghdad. Apakan said he was 
trying to clarify with the Iraqis if this was an individual 
invitation to him, or directed to the 1737 committee and its 
Executive Directorate (CTED).  Apakan said he was favorably 
disposed, but wanted U.S. views and hoped to stay in close 
touch with us on Iraq and counter-terrorism issues in 
general. Ambassador DiCarlo welcomed the news, noting that 
the Iraqis had never formally responded to UN A/SYG Fernandez 
Taranco's offer of assistance from CTED following the 
bombings in Baghdad in August and September 2009. She 
encouraged the Turks to suggest to the Iraqis that they also 
speak to CTED officials.  (Note: on February 12, CTED 
officials informed USUN that they had received a formal 
invitation from the Iraqi government to visit Iraq to consult 
on counter-terrorism issues.  CTED officials have agreed to 
begin making preliminary arrangements for a possible trip in 
the Spring. End Note.) 
 
¶12. (C) Ambassador Wolff said that a CTED visit to Iraq made 
good sense.  Ambassador DiCarlo encouraged Apakan to try to 
channel Iraqi officials to the 1373 committee and the CTC 
executive directorate, and to explore with them what CTED 
could offer in the way of technical assistance. 
 
SC RETREAT TO ISTANBUL, MISSION TO AFGHANISTAN, ALLIANCE FOR 
CIVILIZATIONS 
 
¶13. (C) Apakan said that Turkey was planning a retreat for 
Security Council PermReps June 25-27 in Istanbul on the 
linkages between peacekeeping and peace building.  Ankara was 
working on a concept paper and other papers would be 
commissioned.  Apart from PermReps, Ankara was counting on 
high-level participation from the UN, including the Secretary 
General and the head of the Peacebuilding Commission. 
Recently inheriting from Japan the lead in the Security 
Council on Afghanistan, Apakan also proposed a short Council 
mission to Afghanistan on the margins of the Istanbul 
retreat.  Wolff and DiCarlo agreed in principle that this 
would be useful and the timing workable given the 
postponement of elections until the fall. 
 
¶14. (C) Apakan also raised the Alliance of Civilizations and 
said he wanted the U.S. on board.  He stressed that President 
 
 
Obama's statement in Cairo touched exactly on the objectives 
of the Alliance.  Ambassador Wolff said Washington was 
looking at this closely. 
 
MIDDLE EAST 
 
¶15. (C) Apakan expressed some frustration with how the Middle 
East has been addressed in the Security Council.  He said 
that Turkey wants to see a consensus resolution on the Middle 
East during its term.  He underscored that his delegation 
would not push if there is no consensus but stressed that the 
Gaza situation remained a sensitive issue among the Turkish 
population.  Apakan reviewed his actions during Security 
Council consultations on December 24, 2009 when he surprised 
members with a controversial statement on Gaza.  He said that 
he had received firm instructions on the morning of December 
24 to call for a Security Council open debate on Gaza on 
December 27, the one-year anniversary of Israel's incursion. 
Apakan underscored that with no Council meetings scheduled 
for the remainder of 2009 and the likelihood that he could 
not secure consensus for an open debate (due to a likely U.S. 
objection), his only alternative was to make a statement at 
the end of consultations on December 24. He insisted that he 
was not trying to surprise anyone but had to take some kind 
of action to respond to his instructions.  It was the best 
way to do it under the circumstances, he said.  Apakan 
stressed that Turkey was not against Israel and, as a Muslim 
nation, prided itself on its support for the Israeli state. 
We have strategic and military ties with Israel, he stressed, 
and we need another democracy like Israel in the region.  He 
cited Turkey's solid relationship with Israeli Defense 
Minister Ehud Barack, in particular. 
 
¶16. (C) Ambassador Wolff expressed appreciation for Apakan's 
candor regarding what happened in the Council on December 24. 
 He said the U.S. valued Turkey's unique experiences and the 
role it has played in the region, but said some were 
increasingly concerned that this might be changing.  Policy 
makers in Washington and elsewhere were watching closely. 
The incident in Davos and others of late fueled these 
concerns and could undermine the role Turkey wants to play, 
he said. Wolff reminded Apakan that the handling of the 
Middle East in the Council had evolved into a 
long-established arrangement of monthly meetings.  The 
December meeting had been held the week before and Turkey did 
not raise its proposal then.  Furthermore, Apakan's action 
followed only a few days after Libya made its final 
intervention on the Middle East in the Council with 
provocative visual aids. The Gaza issue, in particular said 
Wolff, requires special handling if the Council hoped to 
support the peace process and bring the parties back to the 
negotiating table. 
 
¶17. (C) Apakan acknowledged that it would have been better to 
make his points the week before. He claimed that he is under 
constant pressure from Arab delegations to bring Middle 
East-related initiatives to the Council and resists 
regularly.  But, an instruction from Ankara I cannot ignore, 
he said.  Apakan contested emphatically the assertion that 
Turkey's foreign policy might be changing.  He insisted that 
Turkish policy remains as it has always been: focusing on the 
West and joining the European Union.  "There is no shift in 
Turkey's foreign policy because we have no other options." 
We continue on our path to be a secular, modern, pluralistic 
society in the image of Ataturk, he said.  Apakan committed 
to advising USUN immediately of surprise instructions from 
Ankara in the future to avoid misunderstandings, but 
cautioned that the U.S. had to expect some stylistic 
differences from Turkey when necessary. 
 
¶18. (C) Ambassador Wolff encouraged Apakan to consult closely 
with the U.S. and committed to work closely with Turkey to 
manage these kinds of challenges in the future. Wolff told 
Apakan that the U.S. would welcome a consensus resolution on 
the Middle East in the Security Council but "we can't get one 
now."  He reiterated that the criteria for such an outcome 
should not be a public relations exercise to satisfy the 
politics at UN headquarters.  The Security Council must be a 
support instrument for the real work -- bringing the parties 
back to the negotiating table. 
 
 
¶19. (C) Goldstone Report: Ambassador Wolff took the 
opportunity to reiterate U.S. views that the Goldstone report 
does not belong in the Security Council and that it should be 
addressed by the Human Rights Council which commissioned the 
original report. Wolff noted that we also needed to be 
mindful of potential comparisons to the actions of other 
member states combating terrorism or engaged in asymmetrical 
conflicts. Apakan said he understood the point and would 
reflect on U.S. concerns. 
 
IRAN 
 
¶20. (C) Apakan said that Turkey was following Iran closely. 
We know U.S. concerns, he said, and hope there is still a 
window of opportunity for a diplomatic solution.  Apakan 
reported that Turkey continued to engage at all levels with 
Iranian officials, to convince them to move in the right 
direction.  We will consult with you regarding our efforts to 
the extent possible, he said. There are "some signs of hope 
but we can't give you assurances." 
 
¶21. (C) Ambassador Wolff assured Apakan that the U.S. 
remained committed to a diplomatic solution but the results 
of our efforts to date to resolve the outstanding issues 
related to Iran's nuclear program through dialogue have shown 
that Iran is unwilling.  As a result, a process has begun to 
consider new UN sanctions.  Wolff reported that there was 
still no action in New York.  P-5 plus 1 conversations 
continued in capitals with Political Directors, but New York 
discussions will need to start soon.  At no point has either 
track--engagement and pressure--stopped. 
 
¶22. (C) Wolff further assured Apakan that any new sanctions 
were intended to support -- not close off -- opportunities 
for future engagement. Wolff said that it  will be very 
important for Turkey to be with us on this. Apakan responded 
that he understood U.S. logic and opposed Iran's approach on 
nuclear issues, but urged the U.S. to think about Turkey and 
the neighborhood as it moves forward. 
 
BALKANS 
 
¶23. (C) Apakan said that Turkey shared U.S. views on Kosovo 
and Bosnia Herzegovina.  Turkey would be happy to engage, and 
take initiatives that would be helpful.  He said that Turkey 
was developing relations with Serbia as well.  We are at your 
service, he said.  The transition from the Office of the High 
Representative (OHR) to an EU Special Representative (EUSR) 
is a matter of concern.  Like the U.S., Turkey believes that 
we should be cautious about prematurely closing the OHR. 
Non-EU countries should continue to play an important role. 
 
¶24. (c) Ambassador DiCarlo noted the similarity of views 
between the U.S. and Turkey on Balkan issues. She and Apakan 
agreed that the region should not be forgotten.  On Kosovo, 
DiCarlo lamented that the Council continues to re-hash the 
same issues every three months and suggested that Turkey work 
with the U.S. to find a way to hold these meetings less often 
and in consultations (behind closed doors) rather than public 
sessions in the Council chamber with Serb and Kosovar 
leaders. DiCarlo said that the U.S. continues to lobby for 
more recognitions for Kosovo.  We need to be active because 
Serbia is active, she said, and she expressed concerns that 
Serbia may introduce an UNGA resolution to re-establish 
negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo following the advisory 
opinion of the ICJ.  On Bosnia, she agreed that it was 
premature to close OHR.  We need the PIC steering committee 
in place to keep the balance.  She also noted ongoing 
concerns about what is happening with Republika Srpska. 
Apakan urged that we continue to consult closely on a 
bilateral basis here in New York. 
 
SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENCY 
 
¶25. (C) Apakan raised Turkey's Security Council presidency in 
September and said that his President was looking to preside 
over a Council summit as President Obama had done last 
September.  Ankara was beginning to consider what topic would 
attract heads of state and be helpful to the Council's work. 
While they were leaning toward peacekeeping and peace 
building, Turkey remained open to other suggestions and 
 
 
welcomed U.S. guidance in this regard to ensure a successful 
summit. 
 
HAITI 
 
¶26. (U) Apakan expressed concern about the situation in Haiti 
and said that his government was prepared to contribute a 
formed police unit to MINUSTAH.  Ankara was also looking at 
assisting in the rebuilding of schools, hospitals and 
irrigation system.  Ambassador Wolff welcomed Turkish 
engagement and support of Haiti. 
 
ACTION REQUEST 
 
¶27. (C) To recap, Apakan requested: (1) to have occasional 
discussions with USUN on Cyprus; (2) to stay in close touch 
on the Eritrean FM's request to visit Turkey and obtain U.S. 
views; (3) to consult on Iraq and on how encourage Baghdad to 
engage with the Council's counter-terrorism executive 
directorate for technical assistance; (4) to coordinate 
efforts with respect to Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina; and 
(5) an answer on the Alliance for Civilizations. USUN will 
follow up on these issues as appropriate.  USUN will also 
stay in close touch with Turkey on Middle East issues and 
Iran.  With respect to Somalia, USUN recommends that the 
Department encourage and support Turkey's initiative to host 
a UN conference on reconstruction and development.  USUN will 
explore in more detail with the Turkish Mission Ankara's 
willingness to host a summit with least developed countries 
in 2011, and encourages the Department to welcome Apakan and 
team in Washington for further discussions on this 
initiative. 
RICE