TURKEY/IRAN: FM GUL TALKS MAY 15 WITH LARIJANI

S E C R E T ANKARA 002789 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2016 TAGS: KNUC PREL PARM UN IR TU SUBJECT: TURKEY/IRAN: FM GUL TALKS MAY 15 WITH LARIJANI Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROSS WILSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (S) MFA Spokesman Namik Tan told the Ambassador May 15 that FM Gul took a long phone call from Larijani late that day to review and discuss further the state of play on Iranian nuclear issues. According to Tan, Gul was again insistent that Iran has a credibility problem and must compromise. He pointed to the package of incentives being developed by the EU and strongly urged that Iran take the offer. Failure to do so and to compromise on the nuclear issue could have very bad results for Iran and the region, Gul reportedly said. ¶2. (S) Larijani apparently made a play for some kind of facilitating or mediating role, Tan reported. He suggested that Turkey host a meeting of representatives of Iran and Germany to discuss the relevant issues. Tan did not know the timing of this proposed meeting or why Germany was specified, as opposed to other EU-3 members. He indicated that Gul said only that he would consider the suggestion, but was otherwise non-committal. Tan made clear that Gul is not interested in and will not try to take up any kind of mediating role. ¶3. (S) Ambassador expressed appreciation for the information, asked that Turkey keep us informed, and cautioned strongly against any role that amounts to or could be portrayed as Turkish mediation, which could only damage Turkey's interest. He said we appreciate the strong messages that Ankara has been sending on Iran and hope they continue. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON