Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 04ANKARA3251, Turkey Agr Policy - Two Steps Back

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.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

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. #04ANKARA3251.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
04ANKARA3251 2004-06-10 16:05 2011-08-24 01:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Ankara
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

101605Z Jun 04
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 003251 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
 
STATE FOR EUR/SE, EB/EPD, AND EB/TPP/ABT 
DEPT PLEASE PASS USTR FOR NOVELLI, LERRION 
USDA FOR FAS FOR ITP/POMEROY, HANSEN; 
CMP FOR ALL COMMODITY DIVISIONS 
USDOC FOR DEFALCO 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD EAGR KPAO TU
SUBJECT: Turkey Agr Policy - Two Steps Back 
Ref:  Ankara 2686 
 
Sensitive but Unclassified.  Not for Internet Distribution. 
 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary. Over the past two years, Turkey has 
implemented regulations that have increasingly restricted 
imports of agricultural products.  Turkey's recent 
imposition of a new quota system for corn is the latest in a 
series of moves that have restricted trade.  Moreover, 
Turkish officials have indicated their desire to expand 
these restrictive practices to other commodities.   Turkish 
parastatals that seemed to be withering on the vine several 
years ago, have a more active role on the trade side at the 
expense of the private sector.  These actions could mean 
less than enthusiastic support by Turkey in future WTO 
discussions on reforming agriculture.  End summery. 
 
 
---------------------- 
A Change for the Worse 
---------------------- 
 
 
2. (SBU) Recently, importers and Turkish food and feed 
processors have increasingly become discouraged by the 
direction Turkish agriculture policy has taken, particularly 
in regard to import policy.  Turkey is a net importer of 
agricultural commodities producing less than 50% of its 
consumption needs for a variety of crops like corn, soybean 
and cotton.  In May, Turkey introduced a new quota system 
for corn (reftel) which has dismayed many companies.  They 
view the quota as the government attempt to restrict imports 
and raise domestic commodity prices. 
 
 
3.  (SBU) At a recent meeting, one U.S. business 
representative stated that over the past two years, trade 
restrictions have increased dramatically.  He had been 
hopeful when Turkey phased in an IMF/World Bank initiative 
to eliminate agriculture subsidies and replace them with 
direct payments to Turkish farmers.  For a while, the 
agriculture sector seemed to be progressing.  However, 
Turkey began using phyto-sanitary, import licenses, import 
quotas and high tariffs to limit imports.  These 
restrictions have, as a result, artificially increased 
domestic commodity prices. 
 
 
-------------------- 
First - High Tariffs 
-------------------- 
 
 
4.  (SBU) Turkey negotiated fairly high bound rates for 
agricultural imports that it utilizes to limit imports. 
Turkey has periodically imposed higher tariffs on rice and 
corn during the growing seasons in order to protect domestic 
production.  In January 2004, the government raised corn 
tariffs, which normally ranged from 20 - 35 percent, to 80 
percent.  Tariffs seem to serve two functions: As a way of 
increasing domestic prices for commodities and second, as a 
good source of revenue for the government.  Turkish 
officials note that tariffs are the only means to protect 
Turkish agriculture against EU and US domestic support 
programs.  In fact, Turkey has made very good use of a 
number of tools to hinder trade besides tariffs including 
the use of quotas and import licenses. 
 
 
--------------------------------------- 
Turkish Parastatals - Bigger and Better 
--------------------------------------- 
 
 
5.  (SBU) One of the more disturbing developments recently 
has been the revitalization of Turkish agriculture 
parastatals.  In the recent past, it appeared that these 
organizations would eventually disappear, replaced by 
private sector entities and subject to market forces. 
Unfortunately, organizations like TMO, the Turkish Grain 
Marketing Organization, and Trakyabirlik, the Sunflowerseed 
Agricultural Cooperative, are becoming more active in grain 
and oilseed markets in Turkey.  We recently reported on the 
rice import problems caused in no small part by TMO's 
purchase of domestic rice at exorbitant prices as well as 
the recent corn import quotas.  According to trade sources, 
Turkish Foreign Trade Representatives stated their intention 
to "remake the corn market" in Turkey.  Moreover, the 
government is considering the imposition of a similar system 
for soybeans. This despite that fact that Turkey grows less 
than 50 TMT of soy and imports over 1 MMT for its livestock 
sector. 
6.  (SBU) These parastatals often take advantage of their 
position to reap windfall profits by importing duty free but 
selling at inflated market prices.  For example, during the 
last 2 years, TMO imported corn without paying the 35 
percent import duty which private importers paid.  TMO then 
sold the corn on the market for market prices that included 
the duty.  We have been told that Trakyabirlik was given an 
import license to use a duty-free quota to buy 
sunflowerseeds from Bulgaria.  The sunseeds are in short 
supply and TrakyaBirlik will sell the sunflowerseed at a 
premium. 
 
 
-------------------------------- 
Finding a Way to Protect Farmers 
-------------------------------- 
 
 
7.  (SBU) It is not difficult to understand the motivation 
behind these moves.  Having agreed to eliminate direct 
subsidies the GOT needed to find a way to support Turkish 
farmers who are a big political base.  In additional to high 
tariffs and parastatals, no wheat is imported to Turkey 
unless an equivalent amount of wheat, wheat flour or bread 
products are exported.  Turkey does not issue import 
licenses for beef or poultry despite the inclusion of these 
products in bilateral agreements.  Wheat prices topped $300 
a ton for poor quality wheat while beef prices are said to 
exceed those in Geneva.  Finally, the government is looking 
to curb imports in order to reduce an increasing trade 
imbalance. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
Comment - WTO Discussion to Reform Agriculture 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
 
8.  (SBU) Given the government actions, it would appear that 
Turkey will be very reluctant to support most of the major 
WTO reform proposals on agriculture currently being 
discussed.  On market access, Turkish officials have 
repeatedly noted that higher tariffs are necessary to 
protect Turkish farmers against EU and U.S. farm subsidies. 
Import quotas and import licenses are also useful tools to 
slow, if not stop, imports.  Turkey will probably not 
support a phase out of parastatals involved in agriculture 
trade given the lucrative profits these organizations have 
reaped in recent years or their contribution to higher 
prices.  On the bright side, Turkish officials have stated 
that they would support the elimination of export subsidies. 
However, this is something of a hollow victory, since, as 
one Turkish official noted, they support their elimination 
because they don't have the money to subsidize their own 
exports. If the money were available, this issue too would 
most likely be off the table. 
 
 
Edelman