ASAD VISIT TO TURKEY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004079 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2015 TAGS: PREL SY TU SUBJECT: ASAD VISIT TO TURKEY REF: STATE 129621 (U) Classified by CDA Nancy McEldowney, E.O. 12958, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Charge delivered reftel points July 13 to MFA U/S Tuygan who, without providing details, defended as "private" the upcoming Asad visit to Turkey and the AKP government,s policy of engaging Asad. We received a similar response from AKP Vice Chairman for Political and Legal Affairs Firat. We expect the AKP government to continue to engage Asad. End Summary. MFA Defends Asad Visit -------------- ¶2. (C) Charge delivered reftel points July 13 to Turkish MFA U/S Tuygan. Tuygan asserted in response that no dates are yet fixed for the Asad visit. Tuygan stressed the ostensibly "private" nature of the visit. ¶3. (C) If there is an Asad/Erdogan meeting, that will be "private" as well, Tuygan asserted. It is Erdogan,s and the GOT's intention that this and every contact is undertaken in order to convey the need for Syria to stop its "objectionable behavior" with regard to Iraq, Lebanon and Palestinian rejectionists. ¶4. (C) Charge stressed our concern that this type of high-level contact conveys to Asad a lack of international consensus about Syria,s behavior. Moreover, the Syrians will portray such contacts as conferring legitimacy on the regime. Charge argued that this type of high-level public contact is especially damaging, as Syria,s objectionable behavior is continuing and increasing. ¶5. (C) Tuygan claimed Turkey shares the U.S. "strategic" goals with regard to Syria but differs on "tactics". Tuygan argued that Turkey needs high-level contact in order to deliver the necessary messages directly to Asad in the right way. Tuygan insists Turkey has no illusions about the Syrians: Turkey has a long, difficult history with Syria, knows Syria,s track record, and will not allow Syria to manipulate it. French Will Not Raise Visit with the Turks -------------- ¶6. (C) Charge also raised the Asad visit during a July 13 call on French Ambassador Poudade. Poudade agreed the U.S. should be tough on the Turks regarding the visit but predicted Turkey will continue to engage Asad. Poudade said that France did not intend to raise the visit with the Turks. AKP MP/Vice Chair Firat -------------- ¶7. (C) We also made reftel points July 13 to AK MP and VP for Political and Legal Affairs Dengir Firat. Like Tuygan, Firat provided no details about the Asad visit, insisted it will be "private", and defended Turkey,s policy of engaging Asad. ¶8. (C) Comment: Despite our objections, Turkey will continue to engage Asad. There is wide agreement in the MFA and AKP government that Asad is a would-be reformer whom Turkey should support. There is no sense in AKP that Syria,s objectionable behavior with regard to Iraq, Lebanon and Palestinian rejectionists directly threatens Turkey. End Comment. MCELDOWNEY