IRANIAN INTERFERENCE IN IRAQ: TURKS SAY IRAQI

S E C R E T ANKARA 005845

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2014
TAGS: PREL IZ IR TU
SUBJECT: IRANIAN INTERFERENCE IN IRAQ: TURKS SAY IRAQI
SHIAS MUST SPEAK OUT

REF: STATE 218335

Classified By: DCM Robert S. Deutsch for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (S) DCM called on MFA Director General for Middle East
Tahsin Burcuoglu Oct. 13 to deliver reftel demarche. DCM
emphasized that Turkey--as a neighbor to both countries and
as Chairman-in-Office of the OIC--was in a key position to
deliver a meaningful message to Iran on its interference in
Iraq. Burcuoglu shared our concerns about Iranian activity
in Iraq, and reported that Iraqi authorities he meets
universally condemn Iran's interference. (Note: He added
that a recent notable exception was KDP leader Masud Barzani
on his recent visit to Ankara; readout on this visit reported
septel. End note.)


2. (S) Burcuoglu reported that Turkey has in the past (most
recently at the UNGA) and will in the future raise this issue
with the Iranians (albeit in a non-confrontational way),but
lamented that a key opportunity to do so had been lost when
President Khatami canceled his planned October visit to
Ankara. He said that Turkish President Sezer had been
prepared to "send a strong message" to Khatami on Iraq.
Burcuoglu predicted that most Gulf states would be unwilling
to approach Iran on its activities, though the Saudis "might"
do so. Burcuoglu did not make any commitment as to whether
Turkey would work for an OIC statement/approach to Iran, but
said he would pass this request on to higher authorities.


3. (S) However, Burcuoglu insisted, third countries will not
be able to persuade Tehran to cease and desist. Only when
the major Shia parties in Iraq--he named SCIRI and
al-Da'wa--or major Shia leaders such as Sistani openly
criticize Iranian interference will Tehran even consider
backing off. Until Iraqi Shias themselves criticize Iran,
the Iranians will exploit the perception that they have been
invited to carry out their activities in Iraq by the
country's Shias. Burcuoglu said he believes that some Iraqi
Shia leaders are uncomfortable with Iran's unconstructive
role, but are unwilling to go on the record with these
concerns.


4. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
EDELMAN