Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA2351
2006-04-28 12:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKISH RESPONSE TO IRANIAN RELIGIOUS MINORITIES
how-toVZCZCXRO8265 RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHAK #2351 1181253 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 281253Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5163 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 0404 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU//TCH// RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002351
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2026
TAGS: PREL PHUM TU IR
SUBJECT: TURKISH RESPONSE TO IRANIAN RELIGIOUS MINORITIES
DEMARCHE
REF: STATE 054484
Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner, reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002351
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2026
TAGS: PREL PHUM TU IR
SUBJECT: TURKISH RESPONSE TO IRANIAN RELIGIOUS MINORITIES
DEMARCHE
REF: STATE 054484
Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner, reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d)
1. (C) MFA Iran desk officer Aziz Sevi told us April 27 that
Turkey is unlikely to make any public statements regarding
the treatment of religious groups in Iran. He said the
Iranian regime views the Bahai and other religious groups as
a threat, and international criticism of Iranian treatment of
them would likely result in increased suffering and a
hardening of Tehran's position.
2. (C) Sevi said Turkey generally seeks to align its foreign
policy with EU positions. In this context, he noted that the
EU has not adopted any recent positions on the conditions of
religious minorities in Iran. We asked if it was likely that
Turkey would follow the EU's lead if the EU did adopt a
position on this issue. Sevi indicated Turkey may well, but
would not automatically follow the EU's lead.
3. (C) Sevi emphasized that Turkey is unlikely to make public
statements on this or other issues regarding Iran unless
there is an overwhelming international consensus. Even if
there were an international consensus on this issue, Turkey
would evaluate the issue carefully before joining the
consensus. In Sevi's personal view, the Turkish MFA is
unlikely under any scenario to make a public statement
condemning Iran's treatment of religious minorities.
4. (C) We asked if Ankara would pass a private message to
Tehran expressing Turkey's concern about this issue. Sevi
said the MFA would seek the input from the Turkish Embassy in
Tehran. He suspected that Turkey would not raise this issue
in private with Iranian authorities, but promised to keep us
informed of any developments.
Comment: Turkey Has Its Own Problems
--------------
5. (C) The GOT is unlikely to criticize Iran for its
treatment of religious minorities because Turkey has its own
problems in this regard. As detailed in the International
Religious Freedom Report, Turkish identity is based on the
Turkish language and the Islamic faith, and the expression of
any religious identity outside of the Sunni Muslim mainstream
is generally considered a threat to national unity.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2026
TAGS: PREL PHUM TU IR
SUBJECT: TURKISH RESPONSE TO IRANIAN RELIGIOUS MINORITIES
DEMARCHE
REF: STATE 054484
Classified By: Political Counselor Janice G. Weiner, reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d)
1. (C) MFA Iran desk officer Aziz Sevi told us April 27 that
Turkey is unlikely to make any public statements regarding
the treatment of religious groups in Iran. He said the
Iranian regime views the Bahai and other religious groups as
a threat, and international criticism of Iranian treatment of
them would likely result in increased suffering and a
hardening of Tehran's position.
2. (C) Sevi said Turkey generally seeks to align its foreign
policy with EU positions. In this context, he noted that the
EU has not adopted any recent positions on the conditions of
religious minorities in Iran. We asked if it was likely that
Turkey would follow the EU's lead if the EU did adopt a
position on this issue. Sevi indicated Turkey may well, but
would not automatically follow the EU's lead.
3. (C) Sevi emphasized that Turkey is unlikely to make public
statements on this or other issues regarding Iran unless
there is an overwhelming international consensus. Even if
there were an international consensus on this issue, Turkey
would evaluate the issue carefully before joining the
consensus. In Sevi's personal view, the Turkish MFA is
unlikely under any scenario to make a public statement
condemning Iran's treatment of religious minorities.
4. (C) We asked if Ankara would pass a private message to
Tehran expressing Turkey's concern about this issue. Sevi
said the MFA would seek the input from the Turkish Embassy in
Tehran. He suspected that Turkey would not raise this issue
in private with Iranian authorities, but promised to keep us
informed of any developments.
Comment: Turkey Has Its Own Problems
--------------
5. (C) The GOT is unlikely to criticize Iran for its
treatment of religious minorities because Turkey has its own
problems in this regard. As detailed in the International
Religious Freedom Report, Turkish identity is based on the
Turkish language and the Islamic faith, and the expression of
any religious identity outside of the Sunni Muslim mainstream
is generally considered a threat to national unity.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON