Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ANKARA5014
2004-09-07 15:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

IAEA/IRAN - TURKEY TO SPEAK OUT AT UNGA, BUT FEARS

Tags:  KNNP PARM PREL MNUC TRGY IR TU 
pdf how-to read a cable
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 005014 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2029
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL MNUC TRGY IR TU
SUBJECT: IAEA/IRAN - TURKEY TO SPEAK OUT AT UNGA, BUT FEARS
UNSC REFERRAL BEFORE GROUND IS PREPARED

REF: FBIS IAP20040901000098

Classified By: PolMil Counselor Timothy A. Betts. Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 005014

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2029
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL MNUC TRGY IR TU
SUBJECT: IAEA/IRAN - TURKEY TO SPEAK OUT AT UNGA, BUT FEARS
UNSC REFERRAL BEFORE GROUND IS PREPARED

REF: FBIS IAP20040901000098

Classified By: PolMil Counselor Timothy A. Betts. Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (C) Summary: Turkish FM Gul is expected to voice Turkey's
concerns about Iran's nuclear program at the UNGA, but MFA
worries that referring Iran's case to the Security Council
before the outcome there is assured might actually accelerate
Iran's efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. End summary.


2. (C) The Tehran Times reported on Sept. 1 that Turkish
Ambassador to Iran Halit Bozkurt Aran had told a member of
the Majlies that Turkey supported Iran's right to the
peaceful use of nuclear energy (ref). This was replayed in
the Turkish press on Sept. 3. During a Sept. 3 meeting on
another subject, Polmilcouns and EXBS Advisor raised these
reports with MFA Deputy Director General for Disarmament and
Arms Control Haluk Ilicak.


3. (C) Ilicak had not seen Ambassador Aran's reported
remarks. He confirmed that part of Turkey's position is that
Art. 6 of the NPT does give Iran the right to use nuclear
power for peaceful purposes, but Turkey has real concerns
about Iran's nuclear program, he emphasized. Reading from
talking points prepared for Foreign Minister Gul's use at the
UNGA, Ilicak said Gul would urge Iran to uphold its
responsibilities under the NPT and the additional protocol.
Gul would also note how Iran's concealing of its violations
of the NPT and its commitments to the EU-3 over the
centrifuge had increased Turkey's concern. Gul would also
praise Russia for its position not to supply fuel to the
Bushehr plant until the subsequent return of that fuel is
assured. Ilicak was confident that Ambassador Aran
understood the policy since he had been in Ankara the week of
August 23 and had discussed it in a meeting with Gul and
Ilicak. He presumed that the ambassador's remarks were taken
out of context.


4. (C) Regarding the IAEA's upcoming meeting, Ilicak said he
had read the report on Iran. He thought the IAEA concerns
were serious, but he had doubts about whether now was the
time for the IAEA Board of Governors to refer the matter to
the UN Security Council. If the UNSC refused to take action,
then the IAEA's inspections would most likely cease. Iran
would have no incentive to cooperate and would proceed
unencumbered by inspectors. Ilicak thought that eventually
the case would need to be referred to the UNSC, but before
that happens, the ground must first be laid within the
Council to ensure the proper outcome. While he did not
believe that this groundwork had been done now, he hoped it
would in be in the near future because "once Iran has the
bomb, it will be too late."
EDELMAN