

Currently released so far... 12478 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AU
ASEC
AE
AF
AORC
AEMR
AMGT
ABUD
AFFAIRS
APER
AS
AMED
AY
AG
AR
AJ
AL
AID
AM
AODE
ABLD
AMG
AFIN
ATRN
AGAO
AFU
AN
AA
ALOW
APECO
ADM
ARF
ASEAN
APEC
AMBASSADOR
AO
ASUP
AZ
AADP
ACOA
ANET
AMCHAMS
ACABQ
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APCS
AGMT
AINF
AIT
AORL
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ACBAQ
AFGHANISTAN
ADANA
ADPM
AX
ADCO
AECL
AMEX
ACAO
ASCH
AORG
AGR
AROC
ASIG
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
BL
BR
BO
BA
BD
BM
BK
BG
BU
BB
BH
BTIO
BY
BEXP
BP
BE
BRUSSELS
BF
BIDEN
BT
BX
BC
BILAT
BN
BBSR
BTIU
BWC
BMGT
CA
CASC
CVIS
CM
CH
CO
CU
CD
CWC
CI
CS
CY
CMGT
CF
CG
CR
CB
CV
CW
CE
CBW
CT
CPAS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CJAN
CODEL
CIDA
CDG
CDC
CIA
CTR
CNARC
CSW
CN
CONS
CLINTON
COE
CROS
CARICOM
CONDOLEEZZA
COUNTER
CL
COM
CICTE
CIS
CFED
COUNTRY
CJUS
CBSA
CEUDA
CLMT
CAC
COPUOS
CIC
CBE
CHR
CTM
CVR
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CACS
CAN
CITT
CARSON
CACM
CDB
CAPC
CKGR
CBC
EC
EG
EPET
ECON
ETRD
EFIN
EIND
EMIN
ENRG
EAID
EAGR
EUN
ETTC
EAIR
ENIV
ES
EU
EINV
ELAB
ECIN
EFIS
ELTN
EWWT
ECPS
ECONOMIC
ENGR
EN
EINT
EPA
ELN
ESA
EZ
ER
ET
EFTA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
EXTERNAL
EI
EUR
EK
ERNG
ENGY
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENERG
EINVEFIN
ENVR
ECA
ELECTIONS
ETC
EUREM
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EURN
ECINECONCS
EEPET
EXIM
ERD
ENVI
ETRC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ETRO
EDU
ETRN
EAIG
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
EIAR
EXBS
ECUN
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ESENV
ECONEFIN
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINVETC
IZ
IT
IR
IS
IN
IC
IAEA
IO
ICAO
IWC
ID
IV
ISRAEL
IAHRC
IQ
ICTR
IMF
IRS
IDP
IGAD
ICRC
ICTY
IMO
IL
INRA
INRO
ICJ
ITU
IBRD
INMARSAT
IIP
ITALY
IEFIN
IACI
ILO
INTELSAT
ILC
ITRA
IDA
INRB
IRC
INTERPOL
IA
IPR
IRAQI
ISRAELI
INTERNAL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
IBET
INR
IEA
IZPREL
IRAJ
ITF
IF
KDEM
KU
KPAL
KNNP
KCRM
KZ
KN
KS
KJUS
KTFN
KSCA
KV
KISL
KPAO
KPKO
KIRF
KTIA
KIPR
KFLO
KFRD
KTIP
KAWC
KSUM
KCOM
KAID
KE
KTDB
KMDR
KOMC
KWBG
KDRG
KVPR
KTEX
KGIC
KWMN
KSCI
KCOR
KACT
KDDG
KHLS
KSAF
KFLU
KSEO
KMRS
KSPR
KOLY
KSEP
KVIR
KGHG
KIRC
KUNR
KIFR
KCIP
KMCA
KMPI
KBCT
KHSA
KICC
KIDE
KCRS
KMFO
KRVC
KRGY
KR
KAWK
KG
KFIN
KHIV
KBIO
KOCI
KBTR
KNEI
KPOA
KCFE
KPLS
KSTC
KHDP
KPRP
KCRCM
KLIG
KCFC
KTER
KREC
KTBT
KPRV
KSTH
KRIM
KRAD
KWAC
KWMM
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KOMS
KX
KMIG
KRCM
KVRP
KBTS
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNAR
KPWR
KNPP
KDEMAF
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KGIT
KPAI
KTLA
KFSC
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KID
KOM
KMOC
KJUST
KGCC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KO
KNSD
KHUM
KSEC
KCMR
KCHG
KICA
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KCGC
KWWMN
KPAK
KWNM
KWMNCS
KRFD
MOPS
MCAP
MPOS
MARR
MO
MNUC
MX
MASS
MG
MY
MU
ML
MR
MILITARY
MTCRE
MT
MEPP
MA
MDC
MP
MAR
MASSMNUC
MARAD
MAPP
MZ
MD
MI
MEETINGS
MK
MCC
MEPN
MRCRE
MAS
MIL
MASC
MC
MV
MTCR
MIK
MUCN
MEDIA
MERCOSUR
MW
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTRE
MEPI
MQADHAFI
MAPS
NO
NATO
NL
NP
NZ
NSF
NI
NH
NG
NAFTA
NU
NASA
NR
NATOPREL
NSSP
NSG
NA
NT
NW
NK
NPT
NPA
NATIONAL
NPG
NSFO
NS
NSC
NE
NGO
NDP
NIPP
NRR
NEW
NZUS
NC
NAR
NV
NORAD
OTRA
OPCW
OVIP
OAS
OREP
OPIC
OIIP
OPRC
ODIP
OEXC
OPDC
OSCE
OIC
OSCI
OECD
OFDP
OFDA
OMIG
OPAD
OFFICIALS
OVP
OIE
OHUM
OCS
OBSP
OTR
OSAC
ON
OCII
OES
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PTER
PINS
PINR
PREF
PK
PROP
PA
PARM
PBTS
PMAR
PM
PGIV
PE
PRAM
PHUH
PHSA
PL
PNAT
PO
PLN
PAO
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PF
PEL
PBIO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PAS
POL
PREO
PAHO
PMIL
POGOV
POV
PAK
PNR
PRL
PG
PREFA
PSI
PINL
PU
PARMS
PRGOV
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POSTS
PROG
PORG
PTBS
PUNE
POLICY
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PP
PS
PY
PTERE
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PRELP
PSEPC
PGOVE
PINF
PNG
PGOC
PFOR
PCUL
POLINT
PGGV
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PGOVLO
PHUS
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
RS
RU
RELATIONS
RW
RO
RM
RP
ROOD
RICE
RUPREL
RSO
RCMP
REACTION
REPORT
REGION
RIGHTS
RF
RFE
RSP
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
SU
SCUL
SNAR
SOCI
SF
SA
SHUM
SENV
SP
SR
SY
SANC
SC
SMIG
SZ
SARS
SW
SEVN
SO
SEN
SL
SNARCS
SNARN
SI
SG
SN
SH
SYR
SAARC
SPCE
SHI
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SYRIA
SWE
STEINBERG
SIPRS
ST
SNARIZ
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SIPDIS
SAN
TC
TI
TBIO
TH
TSPL
TRGY
TSPA
TPHY
TU
TW
TS
TAGS
TK
TX
TNGD
TZ
TF
TL
TV
TN
TD
TIP
TR
TP
TO
TT
TFIN
THPY
TERRORISM
TINT
TRSY
TURKEY
TBID
US
UK
UNGA
UP
UZ
UNMIK
USTR
UNO
UNSC
UN
UNESCO
UNAUS
UNHRC
UY
UG
UNHCR
UNCND
USOAS
USEU
UNICEF
UNEP
UV
UNPUOS
UNCSD
USUN
UNCHR
UNDC
USNC
UE
UNDP
UNC
USPS
USAID
UNVIE
UAE
UNFICYP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNCHC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09ANKARA1692, SCENESETTER FOR SPECIAL ENVOY MORNINGSTAR: FOURTH U.S.-TURKEY ENERGY WORKING GROUP MEETING
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09ANKARA1692.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09ANKARA1692 | 2009-11-24 13:02 | 2011-04-12 13:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Ankara |
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHAK #1692/01 3281302
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 241302Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1316
INFO RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY 1977
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 1516
RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU PRIORITY 1638
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 001692
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR S/EEE RICHARD MORNINGSTAR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/23/2019
TAGS: ENRG EPET PREL TU
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR SPECIAL ENVOY MORNINGSTAR: FOURTH U.S.-TURKEY ENERGY WORKING GROUP MEETING
REF: ANKARA 1566
Classified By: Amb. James Jeffrey for reasons 1.4 (b,d).
SUMMARY
-------
¶1. (C) Over the past several months, Turkey has been actively
exploring its energy options--from Azerbaijan and Russia to
Iran and Qatar (reftel). As the GoT prepares next steps in
several areas of its energy relations, your bilateral meeting
with Energy Minister Yildiz and the fourth round of the
U.S.-Turkey Energy Working Group will be good opportunities
to remind Turkey of key points of concern for the U.S. and
the international community.
POINTS TO RAISE
---------------
¶2. (C) You should raise the following points during the
Working Group meeting:
--Conclusion of a fair, transparent gas pricing and transit
agreement with Azerbaijan will jump start the Southern
Corridor and help with Azeri-Armenian relations. The Turks
understand the urgency and, by all indications, are serious
about reaching an agreement soon. Encourage them to identify
the specific areas in which we can help the process. (para 4)
--Development of Iraq's energy sector is a shared priority
for the U.S. and Turkey. Expect to hear ideas of how to
deepen our cooperation in working toward this goal. (para 7
and 8)
--Turkey should be cautious of the Iran Sanctions Act as it
considers potential Turkish Petroleum Company (TPAO)
investment in Iran's energy sector. (para 9)
--The U.S. has a sincere interest in having Turkey choose the
best possible technology to meet its needs for nuclear power
generation. (para 10)
WATCH OUT FOR
-------------
¶3. (C) The Turks are likely to raise the following points:
--Further assurances that negotiations with the Azeris will
be concluded soon without any concrete progress toward doing
so. (para 4)
--Interest in acting soon to secure an oil and/or gas field
in northern Iraq. There is some concern in the GoT that
Turkey is missing out on opportunities while waiting for
passage of the Iraqi Hydrocarbons Law. (para 7 and 8)
--Expectation that some Iranian gas deals will be excluded
from U.S. sanctions because Europeans need the gas and
because the deals would be useful as a bargaining chip in
U.S.-Iranian negotiations. (para 9)
Caspian Gas
-----------
¶4. (C) For many months the Turks have been telling us they
are close to reaching agreement with Azerbaijan on Shah Deniz
gas pricing and transit. The increased specificity with
which they have made this claim in recent weeks leads us to
believe it is now more than just wishful thinking. All of
the officials with whom we have spoken recently have stressed
that they understand the urgency of concluding this deal, and
most have expressed optimism that it will happen soon.
Energy Minister Yildiz told Amb. Jeffrey and Mark Parris a
delegation would travel to Baku for further negotiations the
week of November 23, and he was hopeful significant steps
would be taken before PM Erdogan's December 7 visit to
Washington. For the first time, Yildiz said Turkey may be
flexible on price in order to reach agreement. He has
traveled to many potential supplier countries in the past
several months and has concluded that no other deals can go
ahead until the agreement with the Azeris is decided. Other
officials have told us PM Erdogan wants an Azeri deal in hand
for his next visit to Moscow, expected sometime later this
year or in early 2010.
¶5. (C) Turkish interest in Turkmen gas remains strong. Hakki
Akil, the newly appointed deputy undersecretary for economic
affairs at MFA, believes the Turkmen now realize they need a
third alternative--other than Russia and China--for gas
exports, and they may decide Turkey and Europe are that
alternative. On October 26 Turkey and Iran signed a
memorandum of understanding that included transit of Turkmen
gas through Iran to Turkey, reviving a decade-old proposal.
The item comprises just a couple sentences in the MOU,
however, and includes no detail. MFA officials have told us
Iran is not their preferred route, and some are skeptical
Iran would allow Turkmen gas to transit if it cannot export
its own gas to Turkey. In a meeting with econ counselor
November 2, TPAO President Mehmet Uysal speculated a swap
would be arranged: Iran would import Turkmen gas in the north
and export Iranian gas to Turkey from the south, although MFA
officials maintain their preference remains for Turkmen gas
to transit the Caspian. The Turks are exploring options to
do so without breaching the territory demarcation dispute.
Domestic Factors
----------------
¶6. (SBU) Although supply for the domestic market continues to
be the top objective in Turkey's energy dealings, the country
has seen a significant drop in demand for gas due to the
economic crisis and the rise in prices as the automatic
pricing mechanism has taken effect over the past year. This
fall in demand, combined with deficiencies in the State
Pipeline Company's (BOTAS's) infrastructure, have left Turkey
facing sizable take-or-pay obligations--as high as USD 2
billion for 2009 and potentially reaching a cumulative 14
billion cubic meters (USD 3.5 billion assuming an average
price of USD 250/thousand cubic meter) in 2010, according to
some sector analysts.
Iraq
----
¶7. (C) Turkish government and industry representatives
repeatedly indicate that Iraqi energy is a priority. In a
November 18 meeting, Yildiz stressed to the ambassador that
Turkey wants a field in Iraq, preferably from the central
government. He noted that the private sector, however, is
very anxious to go into northern Iraq and many feel Turkey is
being excluded from some of the best offerings because it is
not dealing now with Erbil. (Note: Although Yildiz did not
offer details, he most likely meant the GoT wants a field in
Iraq for Turkish Petroleum Company (TPAO), as it was the only
Turkish company found eligible to bid on Iraqi tenders.)
¶8. (C) The Turks realize that development of a national gas
system in Iraq would help Turkey, as it would address
infrastructure development and determine Iraq's own energy
needs, thereby clarifying export potential. MFA officials
have indicated they would like to share some ideas with us at
the Energy Working Group meeting about deepening our
cooperation on Iraqi energy development. We have indicated
we would be receptive to their suggestions.
Iran
----
¶9. (C) In November 2008, Turkey and Iran signed a one-year
memorandum on energy. In October this year, they agreed to
extend the MOU by three months to mid-February. The MOU
covers three items: transit of Turkmen gas (mentioned above),
import of Iranian gas for Turkish and European markets, and
TPAO development of South Pars gas field blocks. The
three-month extension was made to allow more time for TPAO
and Iran to come to agreement on details of the third item.
Uysal, however, has low expectations of reaching agreement
but told us TPAO will continue the talks at the GoT's
request. Uysal also told us that both the Iranians and the
Europeans expect the South Pars gas field will be exempt from
U.S. sanctions because Europe needs the gas and because a
deal could be a useful bargaining chip the in the
U.S.-Iranian negotiations. You should dispel this assumption
if raised.
Nuclear Tender
--------------
¶10. (C) With the now final decision to cancel the nuclear
tender won by the Russian-led consortium, the GoT is
preparing to tender two nuclear plants at the same time, in
Akkuyu and Sinop. Yildiz told the ambassador they would
expedite the tenders, as he wants the projects to begin in
¶2010. The ambassador told Yildiz we want Turkey to choose
the best technology for its needs, whichever company provides
it. In prior conversations, Energy Ministry officials have
told us any new tender would have a public-private structure,
completely different from the canceled tender. When asked by
the press about the new tenders, Yildiz said, "let's not call
it a 'tender process,' but a 'process.'" According to Faruk
Demir, an energy sector advisor close to the government, such
comments may allude to a plan whereby the GoT would create a
new public nuclear power company that would invite various
foreign private companies to take part in joint projects.
Renewables
----------
¶11. (C) Draft legislation currently in parliament would amend
the existing renewable energy law to include higher and
differentiated feed-in tariffs for plants that go into
operation before the end of 2015. The parliament is not
expected to pass the legislation this year, however, and
Deputy PM Babacan has raised objections to the overall cost
of the legislation--particularly the solar tariffs--both for
public finances and for the GoT's overall aim of lowering
energy costs in Turkey. Analysts expect the solar tariffs
will be revised downward, likely to levels too low to spur
investment, but they do not expect significant changes to the
other tariffs proposed in the current draft.
JEFFREY
"Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.s
gov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turkey"