TURKS AGREE TO FACILITATE TRAVEL OF IRANIAN RFE/RL

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004004 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2013 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL TU IR AJ EZ SUBJECT: TURKS AGREE TO FACILITATE TRAVEL OF IRANIAN RFE/RL JOURNALISTS THROUGH ISTANBUL REF: STATE 177610 (U) Classified by DCM Robert S. Deutsch. Reason: 1.5 (b,d). ¶1. (C) We have conveyed requests as outlined in reftel to Turkish MFA. Engin Yurur, head of Iran desk, was aware of the issue and had already conveyed our concerns to the relevant Turkish authorities and was coordinating with the Interior Ministry. MFA will confirm final details of how they will facilitate transit in Istanbul with us on June 23. ¶2. (U) We will also be prepared to meet requests for assistance. Mission contact point over the weekend is Duty Officer William Tuttle. From OOB 6/23, Consular officer Laura Dogu will be action officer in Ankara and Ben Lowenthal will be action officer in Istanbul. All can be reached via the Embassy switchboard at 90-312-455-5555. PEARSON