Identifier	Created	Classification	Origin
03ANKARA5223	2003-08-18 05:40:00	CONFIDENTIAL	Embassy Ankara

Cable title:

TURKEY EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT POSSIBLE FALL-OUT

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

					  C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 005223 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2013 
TAGS: PREL PBTS KPAL KWBG KIRF IS TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT POSSIBLE FALL-OUT 
OVER JULY 22 HARAM AL-SHARIF/TEMPLE MOUNT INCIDENT 
 
 
REF: A. A) JERUSALEM 2176 
     
B. B) JERUSALEM 2265 
     
C. C) JERUSALEM 2267 
     
D. D) JERUSALEM 2439 
 
 
(U) Classified by DCM Robert Deutsch for reasons 1.5 (b) and 
(d).

1. (C) MFA Middle East DG Burcuoglu advised DCM August 14
that the July 22 Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif incident
involving non-Muslim groups praying in the al-Aqsa mosque
could adversely impact potential Turkish participation in
Iraq and the Roadmap. Burcuoglu believed that permitting
non-Muslims to pray in the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount area
could initiate another intifada, similar to the September
2000 incident after Sharon's visit to Islam's third holiest
site.

2. (C) In parallel with ref D details for a viable solution
to permit non-Muslim visitors to the Temple Mount/Haram
al-Sharif, it is worth considering Turkey's concerns over
this issue: Burcuoglu urged the U.S. to tell the Israelis
not to be provocative over internal political issues. He
reflected GOT concern that if the Israelis permit non-Muslims
to visit the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, clashes could
occur. Burcuoglu feared these clashes could complicate
Turkey's potential participation in regional programs such as
Iraqi reconstruction and the Roadmap because the Turkish
public and parliamentarians would likely react negatively.
EDELMAN