Cablegate: Belbasi Installation and the Activation of a New

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

091216Z Mar 04

UNCLAS ANKARA 001393

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SE AND L/PM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PARM TU
SUBJECT: BELBASI INSTALLATION AND THE ACTIVATION OF A NEW
SEISMIC RESEARCH STATION: REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE

1. This is an action request. See para 4.

2. The Embassy recently received a diplomatic note from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) advising that Turkey had
fulfilled its procedures to ratify the agreement signed on
February 8, 2000 between the US and Turkey concerning the
closure of the Belbasi installation and the activation of a
new seismic research station. (Para 5 contains the complete
text of the diplomatic note. Post faxed a copy of the
agreement to EUR/SE). The note asks whether the US has taken
the necessary steps to allow the agreement to go into force.
MFA DDG for the Americas Suna Ilicak subsequently told
Pol-Mil Counselor that the GOT was anxious to have the
agreement go into effect and asked us to confirm by
diplomatic note that the US had completed its necessary
actions.

3. Comment: It is our understanding that before such an
agreement goes into force, two conditions must be met: (1)
the individual who signed the agreement on behalf of the USG
must have the authority to do so and (2) the agreement must
be reported to Congress in accordance with the Case Act.
According to the copy of the agreement at post, the agreement
was signed by then-US Ambassador to Turkey Parris on behalf
of the USG. Our other records related to this agreement were
retired.

4. Action request: Embassy requests the Department advise
whether the USG has completed the necessary processes for the
agreement to go into force. If the USG has taken all of the
necessary steps, we request authorization to inform the MFA
in writing that all internal US processes have been completed
and this agreement is in force.

5. Begin text of diplomatic note number 2004/ALGY/67567:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey
presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States
of America and has the honor to inform the Embassy of the
fulfillment of all national procedures regarding the
ratification of the "Agreement Between the Government of the
Republic of Turkey and the Government of the United States of
America Concerning the Closure of Belbasi Installation and
the Activation of a New Seismic Research Station" signed on
February 8, 2000 in Ankara.

The Ministry kindly requests the Embassy to provide
information on the ratification status of the aforesaid
Agreement in the United States in order for the Agreement to
enter into force, in accordance with Article XVI.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey
avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of
the United States of America the assurances of its highest
consideration.

Ankara, February 18, 2004.

End text.

EDELMAN

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