This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
040553Z Dec 04
UNCLAS ANKARA 006769
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC IZ TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY URGES ALL IRAQIS TO PARTICIPATE IN JAN. 30
ELECTIONS
REF: STATE 254809
1. When on Dec. 3 PolMilOff called on the MFA Iraq Desk to
discuss Iraqi elections (reftel), we were provided an MFA
press statement that was to be released the same day.
COMMENT: We see the statement as offering Turkey's full
support for Jan. 30 elections taking place with all Iraqis'
full participation. END COMMENT.
2. Begin text of informal embassy translation of statement:
The contacts that were held with Iraqi Interim Government
Vice President Ibrahim Jafari on Dec. 1-2 in Ankara were
useful. The visit of the Iraqi Vice President was even more
important as it coincides with a period during which
preparations for January 30, 2005 general elections are
heightened.
Our Prime Minister and Foreign Minister once again stressed
to their Iraqi guests Turkey's principled and clear policy
regarding the transformation process in Iraq. The Iraqi Vice
President expressed that Turkey's approach without ill
intentions regarding Iraq helps to assure Iraq's own success.
As it has been so far, Turkey in the coming period will
preserve its close contact with the Iraqi Interim Government
as well as with all political and social sectors composing
Iraq and will continue its friendly recommendations.
Turkey does not have a special agenda concerning Iraq, and it
approaches all sectors in Iraq with the same goodwill. The
sensitivities that Turkey has been voicing and will continue
to voice are solely directed to support the goal of Iraq's
preparing its own future in unity and by achieving harmony
among all groups. One particular group's feeling itself
being under pressure or being isolated by another will make
this harmony difficult. Similarly, one particular group's
demands and aspirations that would go beyond the common
agenda of Iraq will also harm the common goal.
A two-month period is left for trying to hold the first real
free elections in Iraqi history. The end of the period for
the registration of candidates and coalitions for the
election to a 275-member Assembly and Governorate Councils is
approaching. The Iraqis must act by thinking about their
future. The pain and distress that are being lived through
today and the feeling of isolation should not be allowed to
take the future away from the people.
The rules of the game in Iraq have changed and the way to
make one's voice heard and safeguard one's interests is
through the democratic process. Those who attach hopes to
other methods will see that they will not yield results and
they will lose valuable time in the election process. Iraq
does not have any alternative other than a new constitutional
order which will be established with the full participation
of all sectors, and which will guarantee its national
integrity. All Iraqis should be included in this path.
Turkey is on the side of those who take this path.
END TEXT.
3. Baghdad minimize considered.
EDELMAN