Cablegate: 59th Unga: Turkey Looking for Weog Consensus On

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

UNCLAS ANKARA 005936

SIPDIS

STATE PLEASE PASS TO EUR/RPM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC AORC KNNP TU
SUBJECT: 59TH UNGA: TURKEY LOOKING FOR WEOG CONSENSUS ON
"NEW AGENDA" RESOLUTION

REF: STATE 220896

Deputy PolMilCouns shared reftel points with MFA Arms Control
and Disarmament Affairs Department Chief Bulent Meric on
October 19 and urged Turkey to oppose the UNGA draft "New
Agenda" resolution when it comes to a vote. Meric said that,
while Turkey had abstained from voting on the 2003 resolution
because it was not balanced, this year's resolution had been
significantly improved. The GOT welcomed the shorter length
and supports both the underlying principle of the resolution
- a total ban on nuclear weapons - and the substance. Bulent
noted that the GOT attaches importance to early universality
of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and to
resumption of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-Off
Treaty. However, the GOT supports solidarity within the
Western and Other Group (WEOG). For that reason, while
Turkey could support the resolution, the GOT is watching the
WEOG deliberations and is prepared to support a consensus
position.
EDELMAN

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