FM GUL EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR BILATERAL RELATIONS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 003889

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2015
TAGS: PREL TU IR SY
SUBJECT: FM GUL EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR BILATERAL RELATIONS,
CLAIMS TURKEY DELIVERING RIGHT MESSAGES ON IRAN AND SYRIA


(U) Classified by CDA Nancy McEldowney, E.O. 12958, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: In Charge's introductory call with FM Gul,
both agreed on the importance of frank private bilateral
dialogue and conveying to our publics the priority we place
on our partnership. Gul acknowledged Iran's presidential
election was "not perfect" but blamed reformists' failure to
deliver on promises for Ahmadinejad's victory. Gul assured
Charge Turkey has and will continue to oppose Iranian pursuit
of nuclear arms. Gul said he has also urged Syria to control
its Iraqi border and remove remaining intelligence units from
Lebanon; the Syrians claim they are doing all they can. Gul
says Turkey is prepared to do more on Syria if it understands
U.S. plans for it. End Summary.

Bilateral Relations
--------------


2. (C) Charge affirmed the importance of close bilateral
relations. Each country should convey this officially and in
public channels. Charge thanked FM Gul for his and PM
Erdogan's recent public statements of support for strong
bilateral relations. She stressed the importance of
completely open private dialogue and not using the media to
convey negative messages.


3. (C) FM Gul said U.S./Turkish friendship is based on
shared values and both sides should strengthen relations and
reiterate their common vision. Gul agreed on the importance
of frank private dialogue, calling the media sensationalistic
and provocative.

Reform
--------------


4. (C) Charge asked Gul's thoughts on his recent attendance
at the Sanaa OIC meeting and his speech calling for reform.
Regarding the OIC, Gul said the key is whether the
organization is willing to reform itself. The OIC will
announce proposed reforms at the Summit at the end of the
year in Saudi Arabia. Regionally, Turkey is "generating
stability"; Arab countries and Iran are learning from Turkey,
Gul asserted.

Iran
--------------


5. (C) Charge expressed U.S. concern over Iran's nuclear
program, lack of democracy in recent presidential elections,
and Ahmadinejad's post-election statements. Gul acknowledged
that many Iranians were not happy with the election procedure
and the election was "not perfect," but added "a majority
voted for this man" because reformists failed to deliver on
their promises. Gul said outside pressure would unite
Iranians against it; left to itself, Iran will inevitably
change.


6. (C) Charge reiterated the immediate U.S. concern is
Iran's nuclear program. The best way to move forward is for
Iran to hear a strong message from the EU, the U.S. and
Turkey. Gul claimed Turkey has made clear, both officially
and personally, Turkey's opposition to Iran's developing
nuclear weapons and the need to cooperate with the EU-3.
Charge urged Gul to continue to convey that message to Iran.

Syria
--------------


7. (C) Charge conveyed our increasing concern with
assistance to Iraqi insurgents flowing across the Syrian
border and with Syria's failure to remove intelligence
personnel out of Lebanon. Gul said he saw Syrian FM al-Shara
at the OIC meeting in Sanaa and urged him to take steps in
these areas. Al-Shara responded Syria is "doing its best"
but did not have "enough equipment" (NFI).


8. (C) Gul told Charge Turkey "can do more to change them or
force them or monitor them," but first wants to know what the
U.S. plan for Syria is. Ambassador Koruturk, currently
visiting Washington, is prepared to discuss the matter.


9. (C) Gul insisted Turkey has no sympathy for the Syrian
regime: "we hate this regime." Turkey remembers how the
SARG has repressed its own people, and how it harbored PKK
leader Ocalan and lied about it. "The credibility of the
regime is known to us," he added. However, "our goal is to
improve them." He predicted Syria would change if the regime
can be convinced to order it. Charge acknowledged that
internal Syrian reform will take time; however,
counterproductive Syrian behavior in Iraq and in
Israel/Palestine issues can and should be stopped in
immediately.


10. (C) Gul acknowledged violence in Iraq fosters separatism
and internal conflict, contrary to both Turkish and Syrian
interests. Gul said he has made this point to the Syrians,
who respond they are doing their best to control their border
with Iraq. Again Gul offered that, if it understands U.S.
thinking and goals on Syria, Turkey can "monitor" or
"establish a mechanism" with Syria.

Israel/Palestine
--------------


11. (C) Gul said he had seen Palestinian FM Shaath in Sanaa
and Shaath is frustrated and disappointed over the most
recent meeting between PM Sharon and Abu Mazen. Gul said he
touted Secretary Rice's "speech at NATO" (sic) as proof of
U.S. commitment to a "correct" policy in the region.
Turkey/EU
--------------


12. (C) Gul thanked Charge for continuing U.S. support for
Turkey's EU candidacy and encouraged the U.S. to continue
expressions of support. He assessed that the Commission's
draft Negotiation Framework is "almost the same" as the
December EU Summit language on Turkey. Charge stressed the
importance of Turkey continuing to move forward on reforms
and signing the Ankara Agreement extension protocol. Gul
replied Turkey will "continue in our direction." He said he
had warned "the Greeks" (NFI) about trying to change the
Framework; "small things could be the last straw."


13. (C) Gul claimed there are no problems with the protocol
or with Turkey's planned statement that signing the protocol
does not constitute recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.
"The methodology is agreed," he claimed, saying that Turkey
is working with the European Commission on this
non-recognition issue. (Comment: We are hearing the
opposite from the MFA Cyprus experts, the UK and the
Commission - septel. End Comment.)

Azerbaijan
--------------


14. (C) Gul said he spoke with Azeri FM Mammadyarov in Sanaa
and has spoken to President Aliyev previously. Gul, who
knows Aliyev from the Council of Europe, is optimistic Aliyev
understands how democracy works. Gul said the U.S. and
Turkey should push for more democracy in Azerbaijan; he said
he has on several occasions told the Azeri press about the
importance of "fulfilling democratic standards." Turkey is
"disturbed" by the lack of democracy in Turkic republics,
which hold them back. Gul called the November elections "a
test" for Azerbaijan, noting that he and the Turkish
Ambassador in Baku have met with the Azeri opposition.
MCELDOWNEY