TURKISH PM ERDOGAN'S JULY 27-29 TRIP TO IRAN: U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004112

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS ECON ENRG TU IR
SUBJECT: TURKISH PM ERDOGAN'S JULY 27-29 TRIP TO IRAN: U.S.
DEMARCHE ON NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION, TERRORISM, NATURAL GAS

REF: STATE 157900

Classified By: (U) CDA Robert Deutsch; reasons: 1.4 b,d.


1. (C) In delivering reftel demarche July 22 to MFA DDG for
South Asia Evirgen, polcounselor noted our understanding that
Turkey shares U.S. views on the need for sharp improvement in
Iranian behavior. The USG has strong interest in seeing PM
Erdogan deliver crisp, unambiguous messages to Tehran
regarding nuclear proliferation and terrorism; we also expect
Turkey to take account of ILSA and to refuse any project to
transship Iranian natural gas, or other origin natural gas
through Iran, to western Europe. Charge delivered demarche
in parallel to ruling AKP MP Egemen Bagis, a foreign policy
advisor to Erdogan; Bagis undertook to pass the demarche to
Erdogan.


2. (C) Noting that he was preparing MFA draft talking points
for Erdogan, Evirgen commented that he could not be certain
how strongly Erdogan would deliver the messages.
Nevertheless, Evirgen reiterated standard GOT preoccupation
with Iran's nuclear program and the GOT position that Iran
should comply with IAEA and ratify additional protocol.


3. (C) Evincing surprise that Iran would not be working for
stability in Iraq, given that achievement of stability would
be the best and quickest way to ensure departure of foreign
forces, he noted that Turkey always raises terrorism in
discussions with Iran.


4. (C) Regarding the natural gas project, Evirgen reiterated
that Turkey feels under constant pressure from both Iran and
western European countries to accede to a pipeline
transshipment project. Moreover, the Iranians assert they
have alternatives, either LNG shipments through the Gulf or
by a proposed pipeline through Armenia, Georgia, Russia and
Ukraine. On a broader plane, increased Turco-Iranian
commerce would help open Iran to western influences. At the
same time, Evirgen averred, Turkey, like the U.S., would
prefer a pipeline directly from Caspian and Central Asian
producers, but these producers continue to drag their feet.
DEUTSCH